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Similarities between the play Macbeth and the life of Shakespeare
Similarities of macbeth from beginning to end
Similarities of macbeth from beginning to end
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Sophocles remains an amazing wordsmith that mastered an art that was almost lost to time. In his work “Antigone” from around 441BC, Sophocles develops themes of strife between family members, going against the gods and how one’s actions can carry on throughout the entire family. Two wonderfully complex characters he uses to develop these themes using literary strategies is the king of Thebes: Creon and his son, Haemon. The actions of these characters advance the plot in ways that can only be described as vital. To understand the role Haemon and Creon possess one must first have knowledge of Antigone. The story starts with the protagonist Antigone talking to her sister about how their brother Polyneices. Polyneices died in a war against his …show more content…
Haemon like many characters in Antigone develops the theme of blindness, not literal blindness but being blinded emotionally by other emotions. He speaks out against the king and even attempts to strike him because he is blinded by love for Antigone. Sophocles foreshadows Haemon’s eventual suicide when in line 859 when he states, “Then she’ll die-and in her death kill someone else.” While it could be interpreted as a threat towards Creon, it seems that was just a red herring to the true meaning. That being that in Antigone’s death she will lead to the deaths of Haemon and Eurydice. Another theme can be interpreted from Haemon’s tragic fate. Sophocles reinforces the theme that the parent’s actions can cause disastrous issues for their children. For example, Antigone states in lines 4-5 “All that misery which stems from Oedipus” and similarly one can say that Haemon’s misery stems from Creon. Creon decides on a topic that directly effects his son without genuinely thinking about his son’s feelings towards the topic. If Creon allowed Antigone to live then the tragic fate that Haemon was dealt could have been avoided. Directly because of the actions of his father. Sophocles demonstrates irony in lines 871-872 in which Haemon states “She’ll not die with me just standing there.” In actuality that is exactly what happens, Antigone hangs herself and leaves Haemon just standing there grieving at the loss of his betrothed. The complexity that shines through as Haemon struggles between his love for his father and his love for Antigone creates such a beautiful internal struggle. One could observe this in his early dialogue as he tries convincing his father to do things what is right but as he gets increasingly angry he resorts to insults and
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
When a person has power they need to spread it evenly and allow other people to gain fairly spread power. In Antigone, Haemon tries to help Creon become a better ruler. For example, in Antigone, when Haemon tries to give Creon examples and methods of how to be a stronger and kinder ruler. This shows that Haemon is trying to spread his generosity and knowledge of power to help Creon. This also shows how Haemon
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.
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...
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.
This should show to the audience Creon's power over him. This same power is also be inflicted upon the chorus, whom I shall make interact with the characters as advisors to Creon, they are however not in favour of his tyranny, and I would have them try to waiver his actions away from sentencing Antigone to death. They are however trying to do this and preserve their own lives and so are not overt in their beliefs; they hint on it and merely reinforce Haemon's intentions. They back him up without appearing to be on his side.
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.
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
In the following paper, I plan to discuss the source of conflict between the title characters of Antigone and Creon in Sophocles’ “Antigone”. I also plan to discuss how each character justifies his or her actions and what arguments they give for their justifications. I will also write about the strengths and weaknesses of these arguments. The final points I try to make are about who Sophocles thinks is right and who I think is right.
In the awe-inspiring play of Antigone, Sophocles introduces two remarkable characters, Antigone and Creon. A conflict between these two obstinate characters leads to fatal consequences for themselves and their kindred. The firm stances of Creon and Antigone stem from two great imperatives: his loyalty to the state and her dedication to her family, her religion but most of all her conscience. The identity of the tragic hero of this play is still heavily debated. This tragedy could have been prevented if it had not been for Creon's pitiful mistakes.
...se Creon was not yet the king of Thebes during the period of Oedipus’s ruling, and Antigone who was not yet a renowned figure acting independently in her own will without any dilemmas. It is until the story of Antigone when Antoine’s rights are desecrated by the might of Creon’s rule and that it led Antigone to bail and revolt against it. This is the dynamic that Sophocles sees in Antigone within the society of Thebes, and through the perception of Antigone’s heroic deeds, equal to that against the behavior of Creon, Sophocles exemplify to the audience the unbalance nature in society.
Two human beings find out many things about themselves throughout the play, Creon, an ignorant, sexist king, and Antigone, a passionate, selfless, and loyal princess. Sophocles was a man who was influenced by what was going on in the world around him and teaches lessons with his writings. Sophocles edifies the world, through Creon’s ignorance and pride, to never close yourself off from something that will benefit you in the long run. Through Antigone his professes his message of loyalty to one’s family, passion for what she believes in, and selflessness for putting her dead brother over herself.
Sophocles’ background influenced him to write Antigone. One important influence on the drama was the author’s life in the “golden era” of Athens during fifth century BCE. In that time, Athens was experiencing much change in all facets, and drama was a major factor in Athenian culture. In his essay “Sophocles,” Ed Downey reports that Sophocles was born at the beginning of the “golden era” in Athens and lived a long life influenced by “the artistic and cultural achievements in the ancient Greek world”. Sophocles was a wealthy and highly educated, “happy man.” As a young man, Sophocles began his playwright career, eventually becoming one of the greatest writers in history although only seven of his works are still intact (1). Similarly, the setting
Antigone is a relevant piece of literature to many generations because Sophocles’ intended audience was the common people. His play appeals to the weak and oppressed as well as those in power. Sophocles was a playwright and as a writer and he most likely wrote what he observed albeit, his social passion allowed him this freedom. If Antigone, as a woman, represents home and family, then she also represents opposition to the state which is embodied in Creon. There is a palpable distaste between Creon and Antigone from the start of the play. Their relationship not only crosses the state/ home opposition, but the male/female and master/slave oppositions as well. Haemon, the future head of state is engaged to be married to Antigone. He does truly