While two plotlines may share some similarities and differences, Antigone, written by Sophocles, and Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare, share an eerie resemblance. The two plays share this alikeness because of the main couples, Antigone and Haemon in Antigone and Romeo and Juliet in Romeo and Juliet. The couples’ lifespans throughout the play display complementary characteristics that offer comfort. An overall comparison of the couples reveal eerie resemblances, but a more detailed analysis reveals the contrast. The couples of Antigone and Romeo and Juliet share striking similarities and notable differences. In Antigone, Antigone struggles with the morals of burying her deceased brother Polyneices. Her motivation to successfully bury
…show more content…
The ultimate destiny for Antigone, Haemon, Romeo, and Juliet is death. On Romeo’s death bed, he says “Thus with a kiss I die,” and Juliet declares “This is they sheath;/ there rust, and let me die” (line # for first quote); (line # for second quote). The deaths of Romeo and Juliet are witness by the watchmen while the deaths of Antigone and Haemon are discovered by a messenger. A messenger reports that Antigone hung herself with her wedding veil, and Haemon’s body was discovered holding Antigone in a position of grief (959-963). The overall effect of the couple’s deaths are analogues, but the details of their deaths are unearthed in distinct …show more content…
In Romeo and Juliet, the motivation for both Romeo and Juliet is the grief accompanied by life without their star-crossed lover. Romeo exhibits this attitude through his poem of lament after Paris dies and before he takes his own life. Alternatively, Antigone’s motivation for death is not for Haemon. “And if I have to die for this pure crime,/ I am content, for I shall rest beside [Polyneices];/ His love will answer mine” (72-74).” Antigone expresses her desire for death in order to eventually be with Polyneices. Haemon does in fact die for the same reasons Romeo and Juliet do, grief. Haemon fell in love with Antigone, and he feels that he cannot continue life without her, taking his own
The ultimate destiny for Antigone, Haemon, Romeo, and Juliet is death. On Romeo’s death bed, he says “Thus with a kiss I die,” and Juliet declares “This is they sheath;/ there rust, and let me die” (line # for first quote); (line # for second quote). The deaths of Romeo and Juliet are witness by the watchmen while the deaths of Antigone and Haemon are discovered by a messenger. A messenger reports that Antigone hung herself with her wedding veil, and Haemon’s body was discovered holding Antigone in a position of grief (959-963). The overall effect of the couple’s deaths are analogues, but the details of their deaths are unearthed in distinct …show more content…
In Romeo and Juliet, the motivation for both Romeo and Juliet is the grief accompanied by life without their star-crossed lover. Romeo exhibits this attitude through his poem of lament after Paris dies and before he takes his own life. Alternatively, Antigone’s motivation for death is not for Haemon. “And if I have to die for this pure crime,/ I am content, for I shall rest beside [Polyneices];/ His love will answer mine” (72-74).” Antigone expresses her desire for death in order to eventually be with Polyneices. Haemon does in fact die for the same reasons Romeo and Juliet do, grief. Haemon fell in love with Antigone, and he feels that he cannot continue life without her, taking his own