Haimons Covert Scheme Essay -- essays research papers

Haimon has a certain tendency to be miss in Sophocles Antigone. At first he appears to be a pocket-size contri justion, an accessory to the overt conflict occurring between Kreon and Antigone. We see Haimon supporting his father, tho soon thereafter in conflict with him. Haimon expresses disregard for the life of his frigidity bride to be, yet is defined as being driven by lust. or so(prenominal) questions come up who does Haimon really support, what drives his actions, and what is his eventual(prenominal) intent? Unraveling these issues is a ingenious task, simply what we relegate is Haimon is far more than an accessory. Haimon is introduced in third-person, making his pillow slip easily overlooked and marginalized from the start. Ismene says oh dearest Haimon, how your father dishonors you, yet he isnt redden present (573). When Haimon does enter, his father assumes he knows of the situation, meaning he had sentence to plot his actions. Haimon begins by showing Kreon that he is really on his side, a very common technique for disagreement that tolerate be raise in such books as Dale Carnegies. The general idea is to start by wining a persons favor so he entrust be more open to criticism later. It non uncommon to induce the view that Haimon isnt using such a technique but actually does support Kreon, however there are problems with such a view. Haimon says an interesting ambiguous statement your judgments, being good ones, guide my lead aright (636). The ambiguity is subtle, but it can imply Haimon follows only when Kreons judgment is good. As of yet no disagreement has surfaced, but when it does it overly shows a degree of political programning. Haimon maintains distance from saying his father is wrong, by mentioning that the city favors Antigones actions and things might also turn out well some other way (687). Haimon then presents a parable on a ship, if he who holds the power strains the rigging tights and does not yield, he turns hi s rowing benches over and completes his voyage upside down (715). The refinement of the parable does not imply an improvised remark but something premeditated. At this point the commentator should ask what motivated this change in Haimons views or was it even a change at all? Within a all of a sudden span of time Haimons stated views change, but there is no clear motivator for the change. Perhaps that... ...character, to consider demand and intent. Changes in a characters view dont occur spontaneously, motivation for change or previous deception regarding the view must be considered. If one moment Haimon supports Kreon and the next opposes him, what causes this change? Likewise, the reader should consider what the character is doing while not the focus of attention. Haimon knew about the events that were unraveling, what can he plan while the focus is elsewhere? Ambiguous terms factor greatly into an interpretation of Haimons motivation. Lust and passion are associated with wo men, but can just as easily be applicable to power or money. Looking at these issues combined we can answer the original questions whom does Haimon support, what drives his actions, and what is his ultimate intent? Haimon does not support Kreon he does support Antigones views, but is not bothered by threats of her death. As the chorus states, Haimon is driven by lust, but this lust is for power rather than for Antigone. Combine these issues together and what we find is Haimons intent he seeks to exploit a situation where Kreon is in poor standing to fulfill his lust for power by pickings the throne.