Essay 2 - Haemon vs. Creon Chart
p. 1041-1045
Arguments – Identify the arguments of Creon and Haemon.
(In your own words: What is the argument of Creon and why?
What is the argument of Haemon and why?)
Creon’s argument: Creon wants to lead by example and obey his law, and he does not want to look weak or like there is favoritism for his family. Creon believes that that king must always be obeyed, and that only people who obey can be honored and trusted.
Haemon’s argument: Haemon wants to save Antigone because he loves her, and he and others of the city believe that her crime should be forgiven. Haemon believes that while the king should be obeyed, he should also listen to the wisdom of others and know when to compromise.
Choose ONE character argument to focus on for your chart and essay
Character: Creon
Evidence – Quote three pieces of evidence that support the argument of your character / Explanation – Explain how each piece of evidence clearly supports or states the argument“Of all the people in this city, only she / Has had contempt for my law and broken it. / Do you want me to show myself weak before the people?” (Lines 24-26) / He wants his son to understand that it is not personal. Only Antigone has broken his law, and that is why she must be punished. If he does not keep his law, he will look weak before his country.
“Whoever is chosen to govern should be obeyed-- / Must be obeyed, in all things, great and small, / Just and unjust!” (lines 35-37) / Creon strongly believes that whoever is chosen to be the king has to be obeyed absolutely to keep order in a city.
“Good lives are made so by discipline. / We keep the laws then, and the lawmakers . . .” (Lines 45-46) / Even the king has to obey laws, no one is above them. Laws are made for the good of the country, and good people are disciplined enough to obey them.
FATt Thesis: In Sophocles’ play Antigone, Creon steadfastly believes that the king must be obeyed and must rule by example to keep the laws of his land without exception.
Hook: Creon is a stubborn man and a stubborn king, but it is the king who bears the responsibility for his state. It is the king alone who will be blamed if his city falls while under his rule. If he cannot trust his own judgment and stick by his decisions, does he deserve to be king?
Topic Sentence: Creon wants his son and his people to believe in his ruler ship, and he cannot let personal relationships change his laws. (Topic + Controlling Idea) Haemon wants to save Antigone, and the only way to do that is to change the King’s mind. ß Haemon example
Counter argument: (Counter Claim + Rebuttal) While Haemon believes that a good king will listen to the wisdom of his people, Creon knows that the burden of wearing a crown is borne alone. He must trust his own judgment and prove to his people that he can be trusted to obey his own laws.
Other example: Creon wants to be obeyed as the king, no matter what, but Haemon knows that a good king also listens to his people.
Haemon vs. Creon Essay
Directions:
In paragraph form, write your hook followed by your FATt thesis statement.
Go to the next line
Indent
Write your Topic Sentence and then write 2 examples of evidence with 2 explanations from your chart that CLEARLY support your thesis. Your body paragraph should have at least 5 sentences, one topic sentence, and two pieces of relevant and clearly explained evidence.
Go to the next line
Indent
Write your Counter Argument as your conclusion paragraph and you may add any concluding ideas you wish to end your essay. Remember, the last thing you read is the first thing you remember, so it’s good to end with a sentence that clarifies the argument.
Haemon vs. Creon Essay
Creon is a stubborn man and a stubborn king, but it is the king who bears the responsibility for his state. It is the king alone who will be blamed if his city falls while under his rule. If he cannot trust his own judgment and stick by his decisions, does he deserve to be king? In Sophocles’ play Antigone, Creon steadfastly believes that the king must be obeyed and must rule by example to keep the laws of their land without exception.
Creon wants his son and his people to believe in his ruler ship, and he cannot let personal relationships change his laws. Creon tried to be reasonable and explain to his son that, “Of all the people in this city, only she / Has had contempt for my law and broken it. / Do you want me to show myself weak before the people?” (Lines 24-26) He wants his son to understand that it is not personal. Only Antigone has broken his law, and that is why she must be punished. If he does not keep his law, he will look weak before his country. Creon makes it clear that no one can be excused from the law when he says, “Good lives are made so by discipline. / We keep the laws then, and the lawmakers . . .” (Lines 45-46) Even the king has to obey laws, no one is above them. Laws are made for the good of the country, and good people are disciplined enough to obey them. In his view, those who are lawbreakers need to be punished.
While Haemon believes that a good king will listen to the wisdom of his people, Creon knows that the burden of wearing a crown is borne alone. He must trust his own judgment and prove to his people that he can be trusted to obey his own laws. It is up to him to create order in his city, which has so recently been torn apart by war.