Question

In Sophocles's Antigone, Haemon emerges as the voice of reason in the face of his father Creon's obstinacy. Which lines in this excerpt reflect Haemon’s reasonable nature?

HAEMON:
.
A).... The commons stand in terror of thy frown,
And dare not utter aught that might offend,But I can overhear their muttered plaints,Know how the people mourn this maiden doomed

B) O father, nothing is by me more prized Than thy well-being, for what higher good Can children covet than their sire's fair fame, As fathers too take pride in glorious sons?
,....
C) The wisest man will let himself be swayed By others' wisdom and relax in time. See how the trees beside a stream in flood Save, if they yield to force, each spray unharmed, But by resisting perish root and branch.
..
D)...The mariner who keeps his mainsheet taut,And will not slacken in the gale, is like To sail with thwarts reversed, keel uppermost. Relent then and repent thee of thy wrath.

Answer 1

A).... The commons stand in terror of thy frown,

And dare not utter aught that might offend,But I can overhear their muttered plaints,Know how the people mourn this maiden doomed

Step-by-step explanation:

In this excerpt, we can appreciate Haemon's reasonable nature, especially as opposed to his father Creon's obstinacy. In these lines, Haemon tells his father that he believes he should listen to the voice of the citizens. Although they are too scared to voice their opinions aloud, they are dissatisfied with the way Antigone has been treated, and they support her. Since Haemon respects the people's opinion, he is letting his father know.