Compare And Contrast Creon And Haemon
Imagine that a little kid walks up to you—an adult—and tells you, “sit down and let me give you some life advice”. Just imagining the absurdity of this scenario makes one amused. If one is put into this scenario, one will most likely laugh at the poor kid’s face for having the tenacity to tell one—an adult—to listen to him about life. The adult will often neglect the little kid—even if he is right—because to accept the advice is a hit on the adult’s pride. Why is this? To understand this social mystery we must look at this scenario with a different lens. Go back to the last time you and your parents got into an argument and you were right—and they even know it—but instead of admitting their mistake they give you the “You are just my son/ daughter!”
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Creon considers Haemon’s arguments as inconsequential chatter; much like how an adult would see a little kid’s opinion to be null. Creon considers his son’s arguments as attacks on his pride/authority; thus, he tries to discredit him by asking the Chorus, “[Why] should we that are my age learn wisdom from young men such as he?” (781-782). Creon is essentially questioning the validity of Haemon’s arguments considering his age. The idea of senior superiority is clearly highlighted by Creon’s query to the Chorus; to support his argument, he resorts to the idea that Haemon—being a young man—is ineligible to provide him counsel. Creon’s confidence in himself makes him think the he is infallible and that other people’s ideas are redundant; pride inhibits him to see reason. Creon pride derives in the idea that “he is the father, and that he (Haemon) is only his son” and thus, he is not required to accept or take any guidance, even if it is sound, from his son. The idea that the older person is always right is clearly demonstrated in their debate; much like how a parent would almost never admit their mistakes. Creon starts criticizing Haemon’s character, instead of addressing his arguments; he marks him as a rebel sympathizer—“Is what you do have respect for rebels?” (784)—and a slave to women—“Your nature is vile, in yielding to a woman” (803). Haemon, even after being slandered by his own father,
Creon considers Haemon’s arguments as inconsequential chatter; much like how an adult would see a little kid’s opinion to be null. Creon considers his son’s arguments as attacks on his pride/authority; thus, he tries to discredit him by asking the Chorus, “[Why] should we that are my age learn wisdom from young men such as he?” (781-782). Creon is essentially questioning the validity of Haemon’s arguments considering his age. The idea of senior superiority is clearly highlighted by Creon’s query to the Chorus; to support his argument, he resorts to the idea that Haemon—being a young man—is ineligible to provide him counsel. Creon’s confidence in himself makes him think the he is infallible and that other people’s ideas are redundant; pride inhibits him to see reason. Creon pride derives in the idea that “he is the father, and that he (Haemon) is only his son” and thus, he is not required to accept or take any guidance, even if it is sound, from his son. The idea that the older person is always right is clearly demonstrated in their debate; much like how a parent would almost never admit their mistakes. Creon starts criticizing Haemon’s character, instead of addressing his arguments; he marks him as a rebel sympathizer—“Is what you do have respect for rebels?” (784)—and a slave to women—“Your nature is vile, in yielding to a woman” (803). Haemon, even after being slandered by his own father,