Author Bentley Little once said, “Murder is an inherently evil act, no matter what the circumstances, no matter how convincing the rationalizations.” This quote applies to the character Creon in Sophocles’ play Antigone. Creon caused the deaths of many other characters in this play, and this should not be forgiven, but rather recognized as murder. Creon is guilty of the murder of Antigone, Eurydice, and Haemon; even though all three characters took their own lives. In Antigone’s case, he caused her death by leaving her in an inescapable tomb with no hope and no chance for survival. In Haemon’s case, he caused his suicide by killing his true love. In Eurydice’s case, he killed her two sons which drove her to such sadness that she killed herself.
…show more content…
Creon and Haemon have a conversation about the upcoming death of Antigone, and why Creon believes it is necessary. However, his son tries to argue that Antigone’s act was very reasonable, and it is actually the king who is being unreasonable. Creon tells Haemon, “Of all the people in this city, only she has had contempt for my law and broken it...The woman dies,” (line 516). In response, Haemon tells his father, “Then she must die.-But her death will cause another,” (line 610). Creon explains to his son that he must kill Antigone in order to hold to the law. He is basically telling Haemon that his one true love is about to die and that there is nothing to be done about it. Haemon’s response is an instance of foreshadowing. He is trying to give his father the message that killing Antigone will be killing him as well. However his father does not get the message and he leaves, saying that “you will never see my face again.” Creon has received multiple clues that his son will die with Antigone, however he chooses to ignore them and proceed with the execution. Thus, Creon is guilty of the murder of Haemon as well. Because of these two deaths he caused, he is also responsible of the deaths resulting from the tragedy; such as that of his wife …show more content…
In the case of Antigone, Creon literally locked her into a stone tomb with no chance of survival. Her committing suicide just quickened the inevitable death she faced, meaning Creon murdered her. In Eurydice’s case, the only reason she commit suicide was because of the acts of Creon. Thus, Creon is directly responsible for her death. Others may argue that Creon did not know Antigone would die in her tomb, or that Haemon reacted the way he did. Creon truly believes Antigone will die in her grave: the only way to survive would be for the gods to take mercy on her. However, she took mercy on a man who defied the gods. And so there is no hope that Antigone will not die in her tomb. Haemon told Creon in their conversation that the death of Antigone would cause another-Haemon’s. However, Creon ignored this warning and killed
Creon and Haemon have a conversation about the upcoming death of Antigone, and why Creon believes it is necessary. However, his son tries to argue that Antigone’s act was very reasonable, and it is actually the king who is being unreasonable. Creon tells Haemon, “Of all the people in this city, only she has had contempt for my law and broken it...The woman dies,” (line 516). In response, Haemon tells his father, “Then she must die.-But her death will cause another,” (line 610). Creon explains to his son that he must kill Antigone in order to hold to the law. He is basically telling Haemon that his one true love is about to die and that there is nothing to be done about it. Haemon’s response is an instance of foreshadowing. He is trying to give his father the message that killing Antigone will be killing him as well. However his father does not get the message and he leaves, saying that “you will never see my face again.” Creon has received multiple clues that his son will die with Antigone, however he chooses to ignore them and proceed with the execution. Thus, Creon is guilty of the murder of Haemon as well. Because of these two deaths he caused, he is also responsible of the deaths resulting from the tragedy; such as that of his wife …show more content…
In the case of Antigone, Creon literally locked her into a stone tomb with no chance of survival. Her committing suicide just quickened the inevitable death she faced, meaning Creon murdered her. In Eurydice’s case, the only reason she commit suicide was because of the acts of Creon. Thus, Creon is directly responsible for her death. Others may argue that Creon did not know Antigone would die in her tomb, or that Haemon reacted the way he did. Creon truly believes Antigone will die in her grave: the only way to survive would be for the gods to take mercy on her. However, she took mercy on a man who defied the gods. And so there is no hope that Antigone will not die in her tomb. Haemon told Creon in their conversation that the death of Antigone would cause another-Haemon’s. However, Creon ignored this warning and killed