Mrs. Kleinberg
H Eng, per 1
11/10/13
Although Creon uses ethos to convey his feelings towards his laws, Haemon uses rhetorical appeal within pathos to support Antigone. Creon expresses his belief that the law is law, and no one should break it, “I’ll have no dealings with lawbreaks, critics of the government: whoever is chosen to govern should be obeyed” (iii.34-35). Within this, Creon believes that no matter how strict the rules are, they are rules, and they must be obeyed. This way of approach seems right to Creon, because he believes that he is above everyone else, and that his rules are for the benefit of the citizens. Haemon however, questions his belief of his father Haemon exclaims, “You are not in a position to know everything that people say or do, or what they feel” (iii.58-59). Haemon appeals his position with the backings of the citizens. He believes that the citizens come before the rules, and whatever suits them the best should be the law, not whatever a king says is. Haemon creates a brash response to Creon by telling him he doesn’t know what the people want and essentially jeopardizes his relationship with his father. Furthermore, Haemon goes on by questioning his father, “She covered her brother’s body, is this indecent? She kept him from dogs and vultures, is this a crime?” (iii. 65-66). Using a rhetorical appeal, Haemon questions the doing of Creon. He creates an ethical approach to his belief in what’s right by acknowledging the problems with Creon’s law, yet not straight forward telling him he is wrong. Overall, Ultimately Haemons rhetorical questions and overall ethical response shows the underlying stupidity of Creon’s law.