Everyone has a set of beliefs which they hold to be their guidelines for life. Everyone has values, things that they believe are “right.” Sophocles three main characters all have values and beliefs that in some ways contradict each other, yet they all believe their values are the truly virtuous ones. Haemon believes in the concept of logic and reasoning. His views are partially democratic-based, encouraging Creon to listen to the people. He considers the ability to “reason is God’s crowning gift to man” (Sophocles Scene 3 I. 52). Creon, on the other hand, treasures the Laws of Man and the rules of society. He believes that “whoever is chosen to govern should be obeyed - must be obeyed, in all things, great and small” (II. 35-36 emphasis added). In Creon’s eyes, the laws of society triumph all else. The final
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Pride in turn, becomes a crippling handicap that can affect our lives astronomically. The three lead characters, Haemon, Antigone, and Creon all swear by their values. Yet, even as their values entwine and contradict, none of them even consider to question if what they believe might be wrong. They are all prideful and are all therefore stubborn. Creon refuses to accept Antigone’s belief in what the God’s want, declaring her “headstrong, deaf to reason!” (Scene 2 II. 75-76). Yet, in Haemon’s opening speech to Creon, as he sides with Antigone, Haemon asserts his father to be the illogical one, begging him to be “reasonable” and “learn from those who can teach” (Scene 3 I. 91). All three characters try to push their beliefs on one another, yet no one is willing to step down. Antigone refuses to bow down to Creon’s law, Creon firmly fights against Antigone’s declaration of the Gods’ wishes, and Haemon does not accept his father’s word to be honorable or intelligent. Blinded by pride in the values they hold dear, the characters take action based solely on their ideals of what is
Pride in turn, becomes a crippling handicap that can affect our lives astronomically. The three lead characters, Haemon, Antigone, and Creon all swear by their values. Yet, even as their values entwine and contradict, none of them even consider to question if what they believe might be wrong. They are all prideful and are all therefore stubborn. Creon refuses to accept Antigone’s belief in what the God’s want, declaring her “headstrong, deaf to reason!” (Scene 2 II. 75-76). Yet, in Haemon’s opening speech to Creon, as he sides with Antigone, Haemon asserts his father to be the illogical one, begging him to be “reasonable” and “learn from those who can teach” (Scene 3 I. 91). All three characters try to push their beliefs on one another, yet no one is willing to step down. Antigone refuses to bow down to Creon’s law, Creon firmly fights against Antigone’s declaration of the Gods’ wishes, and Haemon does not accept his father’s word to be honorable or intelligent. Blinded by pride in the values they hold dear, the characters take action based solely on their ideals of what is