Antigone2
After reading Antigone, one might feel that there is lacking a dialogue between Antigone and Haimon before their deaths. Sophocles does not include any direct communication between the two lovers during this drama. The reader might assume that such a conversation could have taken place but was not included by Sophocles; however, it is my belief that if a conversation occurred between Antigone and Haimon prior to their deaths, Sophocles would have made it a part of his drama. Since Antigone is a work of fiction, we cannot assume anything which we are not told. We must take the situation to be exactly as Sophocles portrays it to us. This leaves the reader to determine the importance of Antigone and Haimon not speaking together alone before their deaths. When we look at the nature of the drama, we see that the point Sophocles is trying to make is a political one. The absence of Antigone and Haimon speaking alone together adds to this political atmosphere and does not inject the play with a question of romantic love and/or loyalty. Family bonds and loyalty are the crucial issues instead. The central question of this play is a political one. What should have more power
The question of loyalty is also prevalent throughout the works of Sophocles. Although Haimon disagrees with the actions of his father, he states his loyalty to Creon when he says, "I am your son, father. You are my guide. / You make things clear for me, and I obey you. / No marriage means more to me than your continuing wisdom" (211). Antigone also remained loyal to her father in Oedipus at Colonus. She knows the importance of loyalty and devotion to a father. For this reason also, the absence of a dialogue between Antigone and Haimon is important. Antigone could not expect Haimon to be disloyal to his father. Had a conversation taken place between Antigone and Haimon, I can only assume that Antigone would state the unholiness of Creon's commands and actions. Haimon would then be torn between defending his father and remaining loyal to Creon or taking the side of Antigone. If Haimon were to remain loyal to Creon in front of Antigone, the effect of his suicide would not have been as great; however, if he were to defend Antigone, he would not be as loyal to his father which would be inconsistent with the ideas presented by Sophocles and the actions of Antigone. She remained loyal to her father and can only expect Haimon to do the same. Loyalty remains Although Haimon does kill himself due to the loss of Antigone, his love for her was not the sole purpose of his opinion of the situation and whether or not she should have been punished. The rage Haimon develops while talking to Creon is the result of knowing that his father is ruling incorrectly; it is not the result
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1075
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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