English
Ellie Friedman
2/25/15
Haimon’s Character Analysis

When Haimon first appears in
Antigone by Sophocles, he expresses obedience towards his father, King Creon of Thebes. In the beginning of Scene III, Haimon comes to his father to discuss his fiancée’s (Antigone) death sentence, the very first thing he tells his father is, “ I am your son, father. You are my guide. You make things clear for me, and I obey you” (III, 216).
Here, Haimon states that his father is his moral compass. The choppiness of Haimon’s words also parallel to the tone of a child parroting the instructions given to him by his parents, without any questioning or complaining. Therefore, Haimon places full trust on his father’s wisdom and guidance. A little bit later in the scene, Haimon tells Creon, “No marriage means more to me than your wisdom” (III, 216). Here, Haimon callously states that his father’s wisdom overrides the importance of his fiancée’s unjust fate. Haimon expresses great obedience towards his father because people usually place greater importance towards their significant others, rather than their parents. However, Haimon is obedient enough to take his father’s opinion to heart, rather than defending Antigone’s life. In conclusion, Haimon unconditionally obeys his father, even going as far as placing the importance of his father over the woman he loves.
Although Haimon expresses unwavering obedience towards his father throughout the beginning of Scene III, he actually turns out to be rather defiant towards Creon. In hopes to convince Creon to change his mind on Antigone's punishment, Haimon states that, “Then she must die. ­­But her death will cause another” ( Scene III, 222). Here, Haimon states that

Antigone will die, but so will he. The act of choosing to die for Antigone expresses defiance because Antigone is the woman that Creon sentenced to death. Therefore, Haimon sides with his
father’s