Haemon is the son of Creon and the bridegrooms of Antigone. After Creon has made the decision to kill Antigone he brought in his son Haemon to hear his opinion because she is supposed to be marrying him. Creon tells his son ,“Son do not let your lust mislead your mind, all for a woman’s sake, for well you know how cold the thing he takes into his arms who has a wicked woman for a wife.” Although this may be true to Creon because Antigone disobeyed his law she always had the best of intentions at heart for her family which shows she would make a wonderful wife. Haemon responded, “But in dark corners I have heard them say how the whole town is grieving for this girl, unjustly doomed, if ever woman was, to die in shame for glorious action done.
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
Gender and power intersect in shaping the tragedy of Sophocles’ Antigone. Despite Creon’s edict that Polyneices should be left to rot in the battlefield for being a traitor, Antigone defies the rule of man to obey the rule of the gods and her obligation as kin, as she properly buries her brother. Creon and Antigone can be both argued as tragic heroes, but the focus dwells on the King of Thebes. A line has been specifically selected to explain why he is a tragic hero. The context of the line is that Haemon pledges allegiance to his father, who criticizes women, in general, but attacks Antigone, in specific. Creon is a tragic hero because of the irony of his sexism, where he blames Antigone and women for anarchy, ruining the kingdom and homes,
SECOND MESSENGER “Hearing the loud lament above her son With her own hand she stabbed herself to the heart.” (1316-1317) When King Creon imprisons Antigone, it leads to her self inflicted death. When Haemon, Antigone’s fiancee, finds her dead, it influences him to kill himself. When the news of Haemon’s death gets to Eurydice, Creon’s wife and Haemon’s mother, she kills herself. In the Greek play, Antigone, by Sophocles, Creon is a complex character that brings suffering to others by imprisoning Antigone, killing Haemon’s fiancée which results in Haemon killing himself, this chain continues when Haemon’s mother, Creon’s wife, kills herself; this showcases some of the tragedies that play out in Antigone.
Haemon makes a point of this by saying, “The people here in Thebes all say the same – they deny she is (Lines 834-835). " This confirms Creon’s status as a tragic hero when he disagrees with his people's opinion on what has happened to Antigone, which causes him to step even closer to his ultimate demise. This is key because Creon shows how his ego comes before his people as Haemon stresses, which explains how his hubris, the emotion called stubbornness will contribute to his downfall. Additional way Haemon shows Creon as a tragic hero is by highlighting how his tragic flaws are not just angering humans, but the god's that their society revolves around. Haemon shows this by saying, “You're not honoring that by trampling on the god’s prerogatives (Lines 850-851).
Sophocles describes the father-son relationship in Antigone as extremely prejudiced, demonstrated by the difference in observed power of the Creon and Haemon, respectively the king and his son. During the argument between the pair on the punishment of Antigone, Haemon states “I am your son, sir; by your wise decisions/My life is ruled”. Initially, he believes that he is completely inferior to his father, and he states that “there is nothing I can prize above your happiness and wellbeing”. His disposition throughout their conversation is always underlying, and initially he is unable to stand up to his father’s demands. Creon is absolutely non-tolerant to his son, initially praising Haemon as “the man/You can depend on”. However, as Haemon begins to voice his individual opinion, Creon begins to feel insulted and tells his own son that he is a “despicable coward”. At the conclusion of the argument, the hidden rebellious nature of Haemon has surfaced, and he threatens his father, tell...
Creon required the support of the Chorus of Theban elders, and for his verdict considering what to do with Polyneices' body. When Creon came to know of Antigone’s plan he called for her and when she did not deny of the fact that she buried her dishonorable brother’s body he grew angry and assumed Ismene her younger sister had helped her. Ismene being the good sister that she is lied and said she had helped Antigone, after that Creon ordered for them to be locked up. Haemon, Creon's son and Antigone's fiancé, promised to be loyal to his father and not talk to Antigone but he tried his best to persuade his father to spare her life, but they end...
Third, Antigone is a wonderful example of a martyr. Her legacy will live on, and inspire many other rebels to stand up for their beliefs. Antigone dared to defy the King’s threat of death to bury her brother, and shows true family pride. The people take pity on Antigone, and feel that she should be let alone. Haemon, Creon's son and Antigone's betrothed, states how the people of Thebes feel. “On every side I hear voices of pity for this poor girl doomed to the cruelest death…for an honorable action-burying a brother who was killed in battle…has she not rather earned a crown of gold” (
First family is a big part the play. Antigone thinks it is her duty is bury her older brother Polynices, who became a traitor this the kingdom. However Antigone Uncle Creon commanded no one to bury Polynices. After Antigone was caught trying to bury her brother the guards bought her to her uncle, and her uncle tried to help her and not kill her at first. When Antigone says she will bury him again if he lets her go Creon thinks he has no choice, but to put her to death. Even though Creon tried to help Antigone his son; Haemon did not understand why he was doing that to her. Creon had to make a choice in this story between his family and his job, his choice has his job. In the result of that he had lost his niece, son, and wife all of them taking their own lives.
No marriage could ever mean more to me than you.” (Sophocles 709-711) Haemon’s loyalty started with Creon, but it has clearly shifted to Antigone. Although Haemon glorifies his father and prizes him above all, his love for Antigone overpowers everything driving him to the point of taking his own life. Works Cited Knox, Bernard.
Antigone’s refusal to follow the authority of King Creon could land her in trouble but instead she confesses to Creon and claims that she did not break the law in anyway but simply did her part as sister honoring her brother by performing his burial respectfully. Antigone confessed to Creon about performing the burial of her brother which led Creon to feel betrayed by both Antigone and her brother. Antigone defended herself saying that, “It was not God’s proclamation. That final Justice. That rules the world below makes no such law”, but Creon believes that she must be punished and that she deserves to face the consequences of breaking the law, Creon felt that she deserve to be given the death penalty. But Antigone felt that only the divine laws can judge her based on her act and not those who enforced authority like Creon. On the opposite side King Creon believes that his command should not be broken anyone. “If I permit my own family to rebel, how shall I earn the world’s obedience?” Creon believes that in order for him to be respected around the world, he needs to punish Antigone but his son Haimon refused to agree with his father. Haimon relationship with his father changes because he disagrees with Creon and sides with Antigone. Haimon claims that “No woman deserves to die such a shameful death for performing such a generous act”. Haimon wishes for his father to think about his decision about sentencing Antigone to death. According to Haimon his father is unchangeable and because of this it seems that King Creon credibility is diminishing amongst the citizens and audience because even his son is against his decision. Creon’s relationship with his son is broken because of this act to punish Antigone, Haimon threatens to leave and never come back. While the authority of King Creon is still playing a big role in the life of
Haemon’s actions relating to a tragic hero are somewhat related, but applied in a different situation. Haemon, at first, shows obedience and praise to his father, with the quote, “Father, I’m your son... you in your wisdom set my bearings for me - I obey you. No marriage could ever mean more to me than you, whatever good direction you may offer” (lines 709-712). Haemon acknowledges the power and influence of his father, and his loyalty towards him. He also acknowledges Antigone’s sentencing and knows that the marriage between him and her will not continue on, but yet still places his father above his marriage. Later on in the text, however, Creon manages to push Haemon’s true inner feelings out about the situation, with an argument occurring between them, with Creon insulting Haemon, calling him a “woman’s slave” (line 847) and Haemon defending himself and Antigone’s actions, while accusing Creon of “trampl[ing] down the honors of the gods” (line 835). This passage exemplifies the change in Haemon’s demeanor throughout, and how his trust in his father has faded after his unjust actions. While this does show a “tragic hero” type of action occurring through Haemon, he does not show any true negative side of his actions or his beliefs, and is mainly a positive main character, with no real noticeable character
Along with disliking others and their actions or opinions he also dislikes their feelings as well, in particular his son’s feelings. Haemon, Creon’s son is engaged to Antigone and can not wait to marry her, until he hears the news of her being put to a slow hard death, by herself, in a cave blocked off by rocks. Haemon tries and tries to make his father change his mind about killing Antigone, and letting him marry his love, but he can not change his father’s cold and evil
In the end of the play Creon says, " Nobody else to share the blame. Just me... I killed you. I killed you my dear.Love is what had gotten Antigone in this problem. Her love for her brother was so great that she sacrificed her life for the respect that his deserved. Haemon's love for Antigone had made him kill himself when he found her dead body.
Creon believes that he has the upper hand when it comes on making major decisions. When Creon commands some of the guards to take Ismene and Antigone away, “You, there, take them away and guard them well:For they are but women, and even brave men run When they seen Death coming”(1039,L164,S2.) This is the beginning of Creon’s error in judgement. He believes that Antigone is the enemy of Thebes because she is going against his authority, but in reality he is the enemy by making false judgement. The next example of Creon being doomed to make a serious error in judgement is when Creon discusses the plans for Antigone’s fate with Choragus after Haemon leaves, “I will carry her far away, Out there in the wilderness , and lock her Living in a vault of stone. She shall have food, As the custom is, to absolve the state of her death(1045,S3L142.) This is another starting point on the error of Creon’s judgment by adding Haemon into this conflict. Haemon tries his best to protect Antigone from Creon, but still fails because her imprisonment leads to her and Haemon’s death. This event not only kills Antigone and Haemon, but also Eurydice his wife. Creon’s decision in the story causes him to make a serious error in
As Creon’s son and a prince as well as the future head of state Haemon has more influence than most. Haemon’s authority is tempered with love or which is another way of describing justice. Haemon’s engagement to Antigone was political as most were in Ancient Athens but their suicides are inevitable because their marriage would metaphorically bring together two thing which cannot exist in the Polis, opposition to the state and justice. The irrationality of Antigone and Creon opposition drawls Haemon into their battle subsequently leaving most of the cast, including Haemon’s mother deceased at the end. There is one Character that survives, Antigone’s sister Ismene. Sophocles’ brilliance is embodied in this character. Ismene who is largely ignored and rightfully so as that is her strength is the only family member to reamin. Sophocles uses opposing dyads to show contrasting views concerning political, social, and gender