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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
“So don't let your mind dwell on just one thought, that what you say is right and nothing else.” (lines 799-800) These were just some of the many words from Haemon to his father (Creon) describing the action that he isn't taking. Haemon's contrasting ideas led to the development of Creon as a tragic hero while also advancing the plot and developing the theme.
" This indicates Creon’s decision to punish Antigone was not taken kindly by the gods, but his ego wouldn't allow him to solve that as shown by Haemon, which, again, contribute to his nemesis. This proves by how Creon’s stubbornness isn't liked by the gods establishing him as a tragic
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.
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...
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.
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.
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
As a king, Creon should be interested in the opinions of his people instead of only considering his own. Creon asks his son, Haimon, “And the city proposes to teach me how to rule?” This character flaw causes the people Thebes to start to lose respect for Creon as king. This is his fall from a high noble title to one that is greatly dishonored. His error in judgment occurs when he passes the decree against the burial of Polyneices without any thought of his people’s opinions. Haimon hints at what will happen if Creon does not change his mind about Antigone’s death punishment for going against the King’s word. Haimon said, “But her death will cause another.” This is a point in the story that Creon could have corrected his actions, but pride got in the
The conflict between Creon and Haemon represents the communication problems between parents and their children. Creon and Haemon’s conflict also represents ageism. Although, Haemon is always very respectful towards his father, Haemon cannot understand why Creon wants to punish Antigone, Haemon’s fiancé, for her brother’s burial. As Haemon discusses Antigone with Creon, Haemon says, “No woman has ever had a fate that’s so unfair (they say), when what she did deserves honor and fame” (30). Haemon tells Creon that the people of Thebes secretly think Antigone’s crime is nonexistent; therefore, there is no reason for Creon to punish Antigone. Even though they are scared to go against Creon, the people of Thebes believe that Antigone’s heroic action deserves praise. When Haemon mentions why Creon should listen to him, Haemon says, “I know I am younger, but I may still have good ideas” (31). Haemon knows that his father may not listen to his plea just because of Haemon’s young age; however, Haemon hopes Creon will look past Haemon’s age and see the rationale behind his plea. As Haemon and Creon argue, Haemon foreshadows the future events in the play, he says, “Then she’ll die, and her death will destroy someone else” (33). Creon does not notice that his son gives him a warning. Haemon basically warns Creon that if he puts Antigone to death, then her death will cause a lasting destruction on someone else. Creon’s selfish attitude does not allow him to see where he is wrong in his decision to punish Antigone. Creon does not think of how Antigone’s death will affect Haemon and as a result affect Creon himself. The conflict ends with Creon not listening to Haemon. As a result of the outcome of this conflict between the father and son, tragedy follows with the death of Haemon and Creon’s wife. The significance of the outcome is that it is always important to
“The time is not far off when you shall pay back corpse for corpse, flesh for your own flesh” (IV,67-68). In this scene, Teiresias is the part of the environment that impacts Creon. He does this by telling him his fate. This has a positive impact on Creon because it opens his mind partially to the idea his choice to punish Antigone was wrong. “Creon take my advice… go quickly free Antigone from her vault and build a tomb for the body of Polyneices.”(IV, 92-95). In this quote Choragos is the part of the environment that impacts Creon in a positive way. This is the scene where Creon changes his stubborn way to do the right thing. If this scenario did not take place, Creon would not be considered as somewhat of a hero at
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.
Haemon knows his father is not being reasonable. Though he disagrees with him he tells him that he is loyal and that his advice is sound (Sophocles 710-712). He however only does this to get his father to lower his guard so he can be persuaded. Haemon tells his father that “only the gods endow a man with reason” (764). He tries to persuade his father by making him away that the other people of the kingdom disagree with his law and his severity. Haemon is thinking using the concept that the law is made for the welfare of the people. He also lists motivations for Antigone’s actions. The case he makes to his father is based on autonomous morality. Creon does not heed his advice, but rather dismisses Haemon as a boy who doesn’t know anything and doesn’t have any authority. He is still reasoning in his heteronomous
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".
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.
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.