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Writing Prompt 4.15
Consider how Teiresias acts as a foil to highlight Creon’s tragic flaws, and how he helps Creon gain the self-knowledge necessary for redemption. Write a response explaining how Teiresias contributes to Creon’s development as a tragic hero.
Be sure to:
Include a thesis explaining how Teiresias contributes to Creon’s development as a tragic hero.
Include relevant textual evidence from both characters to show their interaction.
Provide commentary explaining how Teiresias acts as a foil and helps Creon gain self-knowledge.
MUST BE 10 SENTENCES!!!
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
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Haemon’s words, actions, and ideas contrast with Creon’s character of differing greatly and leading him to the death of his son at fault. “They say all women here, she least deserves the worst deaths for her most glorious act. When in the slaughter her own brother died, she did not just leave him there unburied, to be ripped apart by carrion dogs or birds.”(Lines 788-791) Haemon starts to reveal that he believes that Antigone, his fiance, deserves to not be killed over an act that she has not committed whether or not Creon think is was right. However, Antigone was following the law of the Gods, while Creon was abiding by the law of man. “A man who thinks that only he is wise, that he can speak and think like no one else, when such men are exposed, then we can all see their emptiness inside.”(Lines 803-806) However, when Haemon started to attempt to inform his father, Creon, whose refusal was so high to even consider not killing Antigone that he was only thinking of himself and that one death would lead to another. “Then she’ll die and in her death kill someone else.”(Lines 859) Creon then, only thought of his son as a woman slave. “You woman’s slave, don’t try and win over me.”(Lines 845-855) At first, Haemon looked up to his father, but now after his unsuitable behavior he has chosen not to follow his stubborn
In Antigone, character foils help the play by creating well-rounded characters. Many traits of Antigone and Creon, the two main characters, would be impossible to notice without the contrast of their character foils. Ismene and Haemon act as foils to Antigone and Creon, respectively. By juxtaposing these pairs against each other, we gain more insight on the play’s plot, themes, characters, and character relationships.
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
Creon believes that his laws are absolute and must be followed above all else, even Divine Law. Therefore when Antigone, in accordance with divine law, goes against Creons edict by burying her brother she is forcefully imprisoned and sentenced to death by Creon. In Creons opening speech he says, “Of course you cannot know a man completely, his character, his principles, sense of judgment … Experience, there’s the test” (Sophocles, p. 67). How Creon handles Antigones unlawful actions serves as his first test as the new king of Thebes and ends up showing the Thebans a glimpse of his true nature, that of a tyrannical ruler. This can be seen again when Haemon comes to Creon with the hope of dissuading him from his current course of action. He does this by trying to make Creon understand that the citizens of Thebes don’t agree with his use of power and planned execution of Antigone. Again Creons authoritarian nature comes to light in his response to Haemon, “And is Thebes about to tell me how to rule… Am I to rule this land for others – or myself?” (Sophocles, p. 97). To which Haemon counters by saying that “its no city at all, owned by one man alone” (Sophocles, p. 97). Creon, being the tyrant he is, fails to heed the wisdom of his sons’ words, which ultimately leads to his downfall. Creon, like Machiavelli, believed that it was
Creon's insecurity blinds his ability to direct order in his country properly. After Antigone buried Polyneices Creon felt he needed to take a strong stand or people would think he would always be lenient toward criminals. However, to achieve this Creon felt he needed to take drastic action against Antigone. He once even said to his son, Haimon, who was about to marry Antigone, "The woman dies. I suppose she'll plead family ties. Well, let her. If I permit my own family to rebel, how shall I earn the world's obedience?" (19) This quote shows that Creon feels that to prove himself to the country he needs to earn the "world's obedience".
The hubris resonating throughout the play, ‘Antigone’ is seen in the characters of Creon and Antigone. Their pride causes them to act impulsively, resulting in their individual downfalls. In his opening speech, Creon makes his motives clear, that “no man who is his country’s enemy shall call himself my friend.” This part of his declaration was kept to the letter, as he refused burial for his nephew, Polynices. However, when the situation arises where it is crucial that Creon takes advice, he neglects the part of the speech where he says “a king... unwilling to seek advice is damned.” This results in Creon’s tragic undoing.
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.
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, telling him “nor from this hour shall you see me again”.... ...
Creon does not learn a lesson from Oedipus' accusatory behavior. Instead he adapts this bad personality trait. Throughout Antigone, he accuses everyone who tries to give him advice of betraying him. Whereas, in Oedipus, he is falsely accused by Oedipus of trying to take over the throne. This paper will compare and contrast his behavior and evaluate if he learned anything from one play to the next.
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.
Haemon’s words, actions, and ideas contrast with Creon’s by revealing Creon’s obdurate and unwillful personality. He depends on his pride too much, even in the presence of his own blood. Haemon says, “When men speak well, it good to learn from them.” (line 819) Creon believes that his own devotion to his decree is more valuable to him than compromising with his son. His decision to ignore his own son’s reasoning demonstrates how his obdurance differs from his son’s open-mind.
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
Throughout the majority of the play, Creon proved to be a misogynistic, stubborn, and an arrogant character. “Let’s lose to a man at least! Is a women stronger than we?” (III,51-52). In this quote Creon shows his ignorance and misogynistic ways in a conversation with Haemon regarding Antigone and her impending death. Despite disagreements from several characters including Haemon on Antigone and her decision to bury Polyneices, Creon still sticks to his opinion.
The play, Antigone, demonstrates the consequences that adamant leaders face when they are not open to criticism and discussion. The play tries to teach people that in order to be a good leader, you cannot be so condescending to believe that you are brilliant and infallible in your judgement. Creon exhibits these negative qualities when he overestimates his power. He sincerely believes that he is at the level of the gods.
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.