“I’ll not consider any marriage a greater benefit than your fine leadership”
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 disrespect, anger, and stubbornness to be highlighted within Creon’s character. Ultimately, these conflicting motivations develop Creon as a tragic hero by Creon realizing that he caused all of the problems in the play and the character interactions advance the plot by bringing more people into the play to share their opinion. Haemon’s words, action, and ideas contrast with Creon’s character by the disrespect that is show towards Haemon by his father Creon. We see evidence from the text when Creon says “It seems as if this boy is fighting on the women’s side.” This evidence supports my claim because Creon is disrespecting Haemon by calling him a boy, because his is about to get married, and he doesn’t like that fact that he is defending a woman rather than siding
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We see evidence from the text when the messenger says “By his own hand - angry at his father for the murder.” This evidence supports my claim because he then realizes that his action killed his son and he now blames it on his foolishness and anger. He blames himself for not following the gods rules. The character interactions between Haemon and Creon advance the plot by having a great amount of arguing for a lengthy amount of time during the play. We see evidence from the text when Creon says “Go bring her out— that hateful creature, so she can die right here, with him present, before her bridegroom’s eyes.” to Haemon. Then Haemon responds with “No. Don’t ever hope for that. She’ll not die with me just standing there. And as for you— your eyes will never see my face again.” This evidence supports my claim because this happen through a good chunk of the
Throughout the story of Antigone, particularly the end, Creon proposes the bad-boy in control personality. He acts as the ruler he is and puts his power to work. He fears nothing unless his family is involved. He has no mercy when it comes to the law. Additionally, he is greatly affected by the environment he creates around himself.
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 in the play Antigone by Sophocles plays a major role within the play. Antigone also plays an important role, as these two character’s conflicting views led to utter disaster, which highlights Creon as a tragic figure. Within the play Creon attempted to establish decisions for the common good; however, his decisions resulted in tragedy. Creon highlighted as the tragic figure, initially created decisions he thought were for the welfare and well-being of Thebes. However, Antigone, who rebelled against Creon’s decisions, caused Creon’s rage to cloud his rational way of thinking.
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
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.
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 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...
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...
A tragic hero can be defined as someone with a substantial personality flaw that causes them to endure great suffering with a reversal of character near the end. Antigone possesses certain traits that could potentially render her the tragic hero, but Creon truly embodies all characteristics. Creon is the tragic hero in “Antigone” due to several qualities he displays throughout the play; he can’t accept a diminished view of himself, he endures great suffering and he is enlightened in the end. In the beginning of the play Creon presents a strong confident image, although it becomes apparent self-doubt is present due to his inability to accept a diminished view of himself. Whilst giving the orders to murder anyone who tries to bury Antigone’s brother, Creon refuses the advice of his trusted council because they suggest he may be in the wrong.
Through the flaws in the characterization of his characters, Shakespeare allows their weakness to manipulate and cloud their judgment. This fundamentally leads to the outcome of Romeo and Juliet, with each weakness presenting a conflict that alters the characters fate. Being especially true with the star-crossed lovers, William Shakespeare leads their perfect love into tragedy with these conflicts. In Romeo and Juliet, Juliet, Friar Lawrence, and Tybalt all contribute to conflicts that enhance the plot. From destructive flaws in their characterizations, Juliet, Friar Lawrence, and Tybalt are all consequently controlled by their weakness, therefore affecting the outcome of the play.
However, the way his actions work and feed the conflict throughout also makes Creon fit our definition of a protagonist. After Antigone's capture, the play centers on Creon. He boasts of his decision to the town leaders (the Chorus in this play), and he argues with Tiresias about his actions and leadership ability. Tiresias' endless enforcement of truth forces Creon to face his mistakes, even though his pride is hurt: "It's a dreadful thing to yield. . . but resist the snare now?
has created to the citizens. Creon believes that "It seems this boy (Haemon) is on the
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.
In this play Sophocles , argues how the same members of the family are the most powerful tragic, for example, Haemon argues with Creon about the latter’s decision to punish Antigone .Haemon is torn between too powerful allegiances of his father and of his love Antigone. He help protect Antigone by speaking to his father on her behalf, by saying, “They say no woman has ever, so unreasonably, Died so shameful a death for a generous act, She covered her brother’s body. Is this indecent, She kept him from dogs and vultures. Is this a crime, Death, She should have all the honor that we can give her!”(Sophocles, 2028). Haemon argue how noble and good Antigone actions were and why she shouldn’t be punished for doing something the gods clearly stated that they should have done. Haemon understand that
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.