How far would you go to save the one you supposedly loved? Would you cover their tracks with yours, or turn your name in to replace theirs? Or, would you use love to gamble with fate, hoping that you will come out with the good hand, just as Haemon did. Did Haemon really love his wife to be, Antigone, or was she just a pawn used to anger his father Creon? In Sophecles's tragedy, Antigone, Haemon burns the myth of blood being thicker than water.
With Creon being a new ruler and having new power to govern, Haemon declared his faithfulness to his father if "thou direct with thy wise counsels, (he) (would) follow them" (L. 728), and "no marriage (would) weigh one moment in the scales with (him)",L. 728). Openly, Haemon is giving his approval to whatever Creon's decision be, even if ends in Antigone's death. One would gather from this text that Haemon does not care at all for Antigone and why should he? For she is just one woman, among many, but he is rare, he is the ruler's son.
So, What would Haemon gain from denying Antigone? Freedom from having to marry her, yes, but something more. Not only would he be free, but he would gain his father's approval for standing with his father's wishes. That is something that means a great deal to Creon for he believes "men pray that they may rear and keep obedient offspring" (L's.733). Haemon has gained his father's trust by giving his father his. Now, the question is, what will Haemon do with his father's trust? What if Haemon had a plan to gain his father's trust, then use it against his father to free Antigone? One could believe that now Haemon may use it to his advantage because "nor (did) (he) say nor prove that what (Creon) speak'st was aught but right"(L's.782-783).
It is strange how drastically Haemon's feelings towards Antigone's fate changes after gaining his father's trust as Haemon threatens "her death will slay another than herself"(L's.866-867). You see, Haemon truly did love Antigone, for he argued that "near me she shall not die, thou shalt never see my face alive"(L's.884). If he didn't love her then why would Haemon threaten Creon to choose between "bending (Creon's) will"(L.1272) or seeing "(his) face alive"(L.885)?
One may be confused because yes, Haemon agreed with his father, but then confessed to his feelings of Antigone's possible death. So, who was he faithful to? Did he stand with his father's rule or did he seek out to save Antigone from her ill fate? For Haemon, love conquered the wicked and as he was too late to save his dear bride to be, he sacrificed himself. So, the question still stands, how far would you go for your love?
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