Examples Of Foil In Antigone

The utilization of a foil in a novel or play is a very substantial tool for writers. A foil serves as a reflection of a character’s actions. It is useful in developing character traits and discovering traits for that character in an interesting and plot advancing way. Characters like Haemon acts as this foil to bring out Creon’s particular qualities. Tensions, including the contrasts of law and justice and the conflict of loyalty within families are present themes in Antigone, written by Sophocles, that express many great examples of foils. Haemon juxtaposes his views to Creon’s and acts as a foil, forcing Creon to add own wretched views. As Creon first looks into his own reflection from the foil Haemon creates, he is shown his extremely

However, he goes to a higher extreme than most of the fathers did or should have gone. He is very controlling over Haemon, and he tries to dictate his views with force. Creon questions Haemon of his loyalty saying, “And have you now come here angry at your father? Or are you loyal to me, on my side no matter what I do?”(717-719). At first, Haemon abides by his controlling ways and is mostly loyal to Creon, but when Creon gets angrier with his views and forced Haemon to abide by them, Haemon has to find some sort of common ground. Haemon argues with Creon as to what is right. Whether that the law of the land or that the law of the gods is more important. Haemon disagrees with Creon’s view that it is the power with the land, being Creon. Haemon sets up his great foil with his well-constructed argument, and Creon replies, ”It seems as if this boy is fighting on the woman’s side,” and Haemon counters, ”That’s true- if you’re the woman. I’m concerned for you” (844-847). Creon is blind from the prejudice he is spelling out in the land he governs, and he is extremely stubborn to change his views in any