No Greater Love Hath a Son Had
George Santayana is most famous for his perplexing statement “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”(speeches.byu.edu). It is for this reason that society repeatedly tells of tragic heroes; people who seem to be destined to suffer suffering, downfall, and or, defeat. Modern examples include the Lance Armstrong, Richard Nixon, Bill Clinton, and Justin Bieber. However society infrequently tells of the tragic heroes of the past or of those of literature like Odysseus of the Odyssey where some of the past’s greatest lessons are taught. One such almost forgotten example found in tenth grade literature, is the life of Haemon in Sophocles’ Antigone. Haemon’s loves for his father along with his father’s pride lead to Haemon’s death and his unfortunate title of a tragic hero.
The first sign of Haemon’s love and deep respect for his father is found at the start of scene three of Antigone. Haemon is asked by his father if he is come to persuade him …show more content…
They will argue that he only appeared on stage during one scene, scene three. However, what they fail to see is his overall importance in Antigone. Haemone seemed to have served as a mediator between Creon and Antigone. Partially through his actions Haemon was able to convince Creon into freeing Antigone though he was too late. Haemon was instrumental in creating a true dramatic effect in the play. Finally without the role of Haemon another tragic hero Creon would never become a tragic hero either. Creon was left desolate because his son killed himself and because of this his wife killed herself if it was not for Haemon, Creon would have gotten his previous desire. There would be no lesson to learn from this play. Because of Haemon Antigone’s meaning skyrockets tenfold and one can remember the lessons of
George Santayana is most famous for his perplexing statement “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”(speeches.byu.edu). It is for this reason that society repeatedly tells of tragic heroes; people who seem to be destined to suffer suffering, downfall, and or, defeat. Modern examples include the Lance Armstrong, Richard Nixon, Bill Clinton, and Justin Bieber. However society infrequently tells of the tragic heroes of the past or of those of literature like Odysseus of the Odyssey where some of the past’s greatest lessons are taught. One such almost forgotten example found in tenth grade literature, is the life of Haemon in Sophocles’ Antigone. Haemon’s loves for his father along with his father’s pride lead to Haemon’s death and his unfortunate title of a tragic hero.
The first sign of Haemon’s love and deep respect for his father is found at the start of scene three of Antigone. Haemon is asked by his father if he is come to persuade him …show more content…
They will argue that he only appeared on stage during one scene, scene three. However, what they fail to see is his overall importance in Antigone. Haemone seemed to have served as a mediator between Creon and Antigone. Partially through his actions Haemon was able to convince Creon into freeing Antigone though he was too late. Haemon was instrumental in creating a true dramatic effect in the play. Finally without the role of Haemon another tragic hero Creon would never become a tragic hero either. Creon was left desolate because his son killed himself and because of this his wife killed herself if it was not for Haemon, Creon would have gotten his previous desire. There would be no lesson to learn from this play. Because of Haemon Antigone’s meaning skyrockets tenfold and one can remember the lessons of