Haemon

Antigone defied Creon’s order and gave Polynices funeral rites. She covered his corpse with a thin layer of earth, creating a symbolic burial despite the threat of death by stoning. Creon had declared Polynices a traitor after his death in battle against his brother Eteocles. He ordered that Polynices remain unburied on the field, where carrion would consume him, and forbade mourning for him. Antigone’s sister Ismene refused to help, but Antigone acted alone.

When Creon discovered what had happened, he demanded that the culprit be found. Antigone was brought before him and admitted the deed. She defended her conduct against his command. Creon nevertheless condemned her to death and ordered her to be entombed alive in a subterranean vault. Ismene was also drawn into the matter. Believing that she would be allowed to die with her sister, she falsely claimed responsibility, and Creon ordered that both women be imprisoned.

Haemon, Creon’s son and Antigone’s betrothed, quarrelled with his father over the sentence. He had pledged allegiance to Creon, but tried to persuade him to change his decision. Creon remained determined to punish Antigone. Haemon then contrived to enter the vault. There he found Antigone dead. She had hanged herself with her veil.

Haemon could not accept life without her. He threw himself upon his own sword and died beside her body. Before his death, he invoked the gods’ curse upon Creon. News of Haemon’s death soon reached the king. Another messenger then brought word that Eurydice, Creon’s wife and Haemon’s mother, had killed herself after learning what had happened. Creon was left in his old age widowed and without children.