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Project On Aristotle Ideas about tragedy
Project On Aristotle Ideas about tragedy
Aristotle's theory of tragedy
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Conflicting Motivations
“For me your judgments and the ways you act on them are good – I shall follow them. Ill not consider any marriage a greater benefit than your fine leadership.” (Lines 720-724). Haemon’s words, actions, and ideas contrast with Creon’s character to the point of these two characters having conflicting motivations. These conflicting motivations cause the characteristics of Arrogant, Cold-hearted, and Haughty is to be highlighted within Creon’s character. Ultimately, these conflicting motivations develop Creon as a tragic hero by showing Creon’s true colors and how his personality really is, and the character interactions advance the plot and/or develop the theme by Creating a drama and suspenseful filled
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play. Haemon’s words, actions, and ideas contrast with Creon’s character when Haemon agrees with what the townspeople are saying about Creon’s decree and punishment of Antigone and, when Creon thinks Haemon is Threatening him.
We see evidence from the text when Haemon says “The city is upset about the girl” (Line 786) and “Surely she deserves some golden honour?” (Line 792) This evidence supports my claim because this is when Creon finds out what the people of Thebes truly think about his decree and punishment set out for Antigone but, as you read on he is still being a stubborn and conceited ruler and will not back down on what he has made law, no matter of his son or the people of Thebes are unhappy. We see evidence from the text again when Haemon and Creon say “Then shall die – and in her death kill someone else” (Line 859) and “Are you so insolent to threaten me?” (Line 860) This evidence supports my claim because at this point in the play we, the readers, either think that Haemon is actually threatening to kill Creon or that Haemon is threatening to kill himself. But obviously later on in the play we learn that Haemon actually attempted to kill Creon but failed so he killed …show more content…
himself. Creon’s character is developed as a tragic hero when Haemon Is arguing with his father, Creon, about how Creon is too blind to see that he is letting his pride and his arrogance take over what is truly best for the city which is his tragic flaw which is also why he is a tragic hero. We see evidence from the text when “A city which belongs to just one man is no true city” (Lines ??) “ According to our laws, does not the ruler own the city?” (Lines ??) This evidence supports my claim because Haemon is trying to show Creon that only doing good for him and not the entire city is not going to end well with the townspeople or him but, Creon continues to be arrogant and prideful of himself and does not care what the townspeople think it only matters what he wants. The character interactions between Haemon and Creon advance the plot by Creating a suspenseful and drama filled ending.
We see evidence from the text when “But the boy just stared at him with savage eyes, spat in his face, and without saying a word, drew his two edged sword. Creon moved away, so the boys blow failed to strike his father.”(Lines 1371-1374) This evidence supports my claim because we the readers here may think that a fight is going to break out between Creon and Haemon or that Haemon is going to kill Creon. But, we find out that Haemon is so devastated by Antigone’s death and he is also mad because he missed the blow towards his father that he takes his sword and plunges it into him killing himself. “Angry at himself, the ill-fated lad right then and there leaned into his own sword, driving half the blade through his ribs.” (Lines
1375-1377) In the play Haemon’s words, actions, and ideas contrast with Creon’s character, Creon’s character is developed as a tragic hero, and The character interactions between Haemon and Creon advance the plot. These conflicting motivations cause the characteristics of Arrogant, Cold-hearted, and Haughty is to be highlighted within Creon’s character. Lastly, the relationship between Haemon and Creon is a very interesting relationship for a son and a father to have because, Creon does not want to appear weak or back down on his decree. In the end Creon has to choose whether or not he will let Antigone free or to let his arrogance and pride get the best of him and let the prophecy of his son dying come true.
Through Haemon's contrasting words, actions, and ideas, Creon's character develops into a tragic hero. Creon is a person of noble stature and also has a tragic flaw of unreasonableness; which are two characteristics of a tragic hero. He is unwilling to listen to anyone's opinion except his. Haemon explains “when men speak well, it good to learn from them.” (line 819) This was a response
Begin writing here: “I would not encourage anyone to show respect to evil man.” (Lines 830-31) Haemon’s perspectives and ideas contrast with Creon’s character to an extent where
There is a common characteristic of a tragic hero that is highlighted by Haemon words, actions, or ideas that examine more closely Creon’s tragic flaws and hubris, which contribute to his downfall. Complex characters like Haemon bring to light other more important character’s traits. Ultimately, Haemon serves to make his words, actions, or ideas call attention to Creon as a tragic hero. Whether confronting him about his leadership skills, many biases, using the citizens of Thebes, and gods to enlighten Creon of his eventual demise. After all, Haemon was a minor character who was written to confront Creon and shed light on how his pride makes him a classic example of a tragic hero.
Creon's character possesses an infinite number of glitches in his personality, but his excessive pride was the root of his problems. His pride leads him to make accusations, before he considers the wise advice of others. Creon's pride also fills him not just as a king superior to the Gods, but also a man superior to women. The issue of Antigone being condemned to die becomes more than just a person who disobeys Creon; instead, the punishment is given even more eagerly, because it is a woman who disobeys a man. Creon's intelligent son warns Creon the people of Thebes sympathize with Antigone, but Creon accuses Haemon of being a "woman's slave" (line 756). Even though he is suppose to be loyal to the state and her citizens, he defensively questions if "the town [is] to tell [him] how [he] ought to rule?"(Line 734)The Theban king is too prideful to obey even the wisest of prophets, blind Teresias, insisting that "the whole crew of seers are money-mad" (line 1055). Creon finally puts his pride aside and listens to the Chorus' wise advice. It is difficult even then, and he obeys only because he fears the punishment that he might receive. "To yield [for Creon] is terrible" (line 1095) meaning to swallow his pride and admit that he is wrong is a very difficult thing for him to do. When Creon loses his wife and son, Creon's pride disappears, and he admits that he made a terrible mistake by not listening to anyone's advice.
Creon is in a position of great power, influence and responsibility. The extent of his power is quite clear when he sentenced Antigone to death for disobeying his order. Antigone's reasons for burying her brother were simply the fact that she was demonstrating her love, honor, and loyalty to her family. However, the reason Creon is furious is that he feels insulted that Antigone openly and publicly disobeyed him. He was also inflamed that she was his niece and his son Haemon fiancé. It is known that in ancient times when a man's authority is threatened, especially by a woman, his ego is irreparably damaged.
After being locked up in a dark, damp cave, Antigone was fed up with wallowing in her own pity, and takes her own life by “hang[ing] by the neck in a fine linen noose, strangled in her veils,” (1347–1348). Seeing the graceful young woman embraced in the arms of his own son, Creon immediately swells with anger towards un-masculine Haemon because of his display of love, and the significance of Antigone’s death goes straight over his head. Her strong sense of self – knowing who she is, what she values, and what makes her happy – enables her to make regretless decisions that alter her time to come. One of those decisions instigated Haemon’s fate to be sealed as well, prompting Eurydice, mother of the prince, to join her son in the underworld. Not long after becoming aware of her child’s downfall, Eurydice sacrifices her life at the heart of the palace, and “raised a cry for the noble fate of Megareus, the hero killed in the first assault, then for Haemon, then with her dying breath she called down torments on [Creon’s] head–[Creon] killed her sons,” (1429–1432). Creon’s heart fills with grief, for the fault of these three deaths lies with him, and pathetic self-pities are the only thoughts running through his mind. Despite the three-deceased’s blood lying
In Antigone Creon reveals his obstinate nature and how even someone as important as a king is not invulnerable to the problems such a character flaw causes. In the beginning of Antigone the townspeople of Thebes rejoice in their new leader, “Creon,” they call, “the new man for the new day” (174). The repetition of ‘new’ shows how the city is ready to welcome Creon with open arms; this outright praise of Creon shows how highly he is regarded by his people. “You cannot know a man completely…his sense of judgment, not till he’s shown his colors…making laws” (194-197). Here Sophocles is showing the reader not to trust Creon absolutely because even if it seems that it is a new age is dawning, Creon may not be a good leader. In this passage Creon seems determined to prove that he is as strong as Oedipus and Laius to whom Thebes was extremely loyal even through tough times, he is so desperate to prove himself that soon after he sentences Antigone to death. Later, after Antigone has been captured, Creon’s own son, Haemon, comes to him saying, “don’t please, be quite so single-minded” (789). At this point Creon is being directly told of what he is doing. Haemon is someone Creon shou...
She asks him what more does he want than her arrest and execution, he replies “nothing. Then I have it all” (line 557) but it seems to be that Creon is waiting for Antigone to admit that she is wrong for rising against his law in order to restore his wounded pride. Furthermore, Creon becomes more frustrated because there seems to be a continuum of his pride being wounded as his son Haemon, tries to point out that, “no woman, they say ever deserved a death less and such a brutal death for such a glorious act” (line 777). Creon becomes agitated that his son’s argument is possibly right but, because Creon is corrupted by his pride he does not take Haemon’s view into
The addition of minor characters, such as the Sentry, Haemon, and Teiresias, cause loyalties to be questioned. The first minor character to cause a major disturbance is the Sentry. When the sentry brought bad news, Creon immediately accuses him of burying Polyneices. He questions the kings judgment on the matter when the king accuses him of treachery. "Are you sure that it is my voice, and not your conscience?" (1.133) The Sentry hints at him making a poor decision, which brings the law that he created into question. In Creon's eyes, there are people that are loyal to the state and those that are against it. The sentry falls in the latter category due to his comments against Creon, who views himself as the state itself. Creon's son Haemon also falls in the same category, however Haemon is truly loyal to the kingdom. "Do not believe that you alone can be right." (3.74) When Haemon says this, Creon replies by saying that his son had been seduced. Despite Haemon's best interests for everyone, the King does not approve and stands firm on his decisions solely based on pride. When Teiresias comes to talk to Creon, his pride vanishes for an instant. This does not last long though, because Teiresias brings a prophecy that goes against Creons law.
He anxiously awaits the day when he can call Antigone his wife, but because she defies King Creon, she deprives him of that opportunity. At first, Haemon tries to be loyal to his father. He tells Creon that he supports his decision to execute Antigone. However, as the conversation continues, he reveals that the community members are starting to renounce Creon’s decision. As the pain of potentially losing his fiancé becomes too much, he also renounces his father’s decision, arguing that the Gods would not condone it. In an act against his father, Haemon hurries to the cave Antigone was exiled to, in hopes to save her, but instead finds her hanging from the veil she was supposed to wear on her wedding day. Instantly overwhelmed with grief, Haemon, “[bewails] the loss of his bride” (Sophocles 152). Similarly, to Ismene’s case, Haemon cannot picture himself living on Earth without Antigone by his side, and commits suicide. In Antigone’s desire to appease the Gods, she abandons her loved ones, and causes them great suffering. This could have been avoided has she not pursued her desire to bury
Antigone was caught and death was the price to pay as ordered by Creon, not to her surprise. Death to Antigone seemed wanted, it was the only thing left as honor for her. Haemon, the son of Creon and Antigone’s fiancé has enough respect for his father that he does not interfere with Creon's decision to put Antigone to death.
Since Creon has a tragic flaw of hubris and comes to an increased awareness about his wrongdoings, it is clear that he perfectly fits the characteristics of a tragic hero. Many readers may not be able to visualize how difficult it is for someone who loses something very important to them, unless they have experienced it firsthand. Creon's choices in the story are an example that signifies the use of the brain instead of emotions that could interfere with the decision. When given the choice of different paths, one should make compromises to satisfy not only themselves, but others around them when needed. Without doing this, it can lead to several disputes and severe devastation in life.
In the play it was expected that sons would respect and honor their fathers by following their wishes. Creon implies this when he rhetorically asks Haemon why men want sons and states, “It’s so the boy will punish his father’s enemies/And reward his friends-- as his father would” (643-644). This shows that it was expected of sons to follow closely in their father’s footsteps. Creon reminds Haemon of this because of his differing opinion on Antigone. Creon believes women are inferior to men and are mostly for pleasure, which is why he demands that Haemon find a new bride and admit Antigone deserves death for disobeying him.
The people of Thebes have two conflicting opinions. The choragos pities Antigone and holds her in a place of reverence for staying true in her duty to her brother and the gods. Conversely, the chorus finds her at fault for violating Creon’s law and feels that she must serve her punishment. However, Antigone explains in the first part of the quote that all men know in their hearts that she did no wrong. This is likely true. Creon’s anger is spurned by the conflict between the truth and acting as a firm leader. He refuses to repeal his demands and so citizens like Ismene respect him
In this paper I will be making 3 major points about Creon. First I will explain the role Creon plays in this drama. Next I will explain some of the values Creon represents in this story. And for the last I will be examining how essential Creon is to the way this situation plays itself out.