Anti-GONE

Starting on line 705, Creon and his son, Haemon, begin to have their argument about the fact that Antigone, Haemon’s fiancé, is going to be put to death. The conversation started with Creon giving a small opening speech with Haemon agreeing with his father. Haemon also stated that he would choose his father’s side over any other. Haemon soon contradicts his father’s decision by saying, “… she couldn’t bear to leave him dead, unburied, food for the wild dogs or wheeling vultures. Death? She deserves a glowing golden crown!” (Line 777-782). The argument begins to heat up with stabbing remarks towards one another. Haemon says his father would be a great king on a desert island; because he would be all alone and treat it as his island, just like he is the city. Within this argument, you can see the roles between the two slowly switch. Haemon’s arguments become more of adults and Creon’s become more and more childish the longer and longer the conversation goes. It also seems that Creon always has a different interpretation than the person who has said it, and vis-à-vis. Haemon had said, “Then she will die … but her death will kill another” (line 842). But Creon believes that Haemon was threatening to kill him if he let Antigone die, which wasn’t the real intention of Haemon. Earlier Creon was telling a blatant lie to Haemon about Antigone. In line 731, Creon told Haemon, “I caught her in naked rebellion!” trying to make it seem that Antigone had committed adultery. Luckily, Haemon either did not hear the remark or he did not pay much attention to it. Haemon then rushes out of the room, because he cannot stand the sight of his father.

Creon is soon thereafter visited by Tiresias, the blind prophet, who has more news to speak of. He came to tell Creon about visions and warnings that he had seen. While sitting in the augury, Tiresias had witnessed to great birds fighting, which never happens unless it is a sign. Tiresias then tried to light the alter, which carried the sacrifice, but nothing lit. Tiresias then said, “never stab a fighter when he’s down. Where’s the glory, killing the dead twice over?” (Line 1135). Which, I believe to be directed towards Antigone and Ismene, because they have already dealt with the loss of their brother and the fact that they could not give him a proper burial. But also, if Creon kills Antigone, she must deal with her own death and Ismene must deal with the loss of both her sister and brother. Creon just responds with harsh remarks towards Tiresias’ wisdom, somewhat like Oedipus in his conversation with him also. After Tiresias leaves with the boy, the leader of the chorus convinces Creon to let Antigone go and to o it himself or else the gods will do what is planned. Shortly after Creon had left with his entourage of men to free her, a messenger came by with news of Haemon. Haemon had killed him self because he could not deal with the death of Antigone. Creon returns, carrying the head of his dead son. After speaking of how he was the killer and how it was entirely his fault, the messenger gives him more bad news. His wife, the queen, is also dead. She had killed herself on the alter. Going back to Tiresias’ saying of, “where’s the glory, killing the dead twice over,” came back to bit Creon. His son and wife had both committed suicide leaving Creon with nothing but agony as the prophet had stated.

(609)