The Son's Final Appeal

  Haemon: I see today that my father has encumbered yet another issue
               But one of his own doing, my poor father of proud tongue.
               To the grave, I shall love him still, but as for his stubbornness
               May it be damned! He chooses to ignore the error of his
               Ways should his subjects see him weak, but it is his
               Obstinacy which shall break the walls of Thebes.
               For certainty, I am less fearful of the invader's blade than of
               My Father's piercing edicts. But he shall not be persuaded
               By equally inflammatory words and I must first appeal to
               Him as the humble servant that I am. "I am your son, sir," I
               Shall say, and "by your wise decisions my life is ruled, and
               Them I shall always obey. I cannot value any marriage-tie
               Above your own good guidance" (143). Perhaps my kindly
               Approach will be accepted with good favor, and he will be
               More inclined to consider the modest council of one who is
               Of lesser stature. I recognize that my dearly betrothed has
               Sparked his poor temper, so wisdom shall guide my talk of
               Her and the blessing of Athena will ease my words should
               His stubbornness prevail.
                    In this day of bloodshed, it is Reason who shall have
               Her victory, and should my father not take her side, I
               Cannot leave without speaking truthfully and openly. If my
               Kind words fail, Reason shall be my blade of choice. First,
               I will parry by adding, "Father, there is nothing I can prize
               Above your happiness and well-being. What greater good
               Could a son desire," but my lunge shall be "surely, to think
               Your own the only wisdom, and yours the only word, the
               Only will, betrays a shallow spirit, an empty heart" (145).
               Truly will my sword pierce his heart of logic or it shall sever
               Our bond forever. For between the glory of Olympus and
               The fate that lies in Hades, no crueler punishment is that than
               To live under the shadow of ignorance. My wife, may the
               Fates will her soul to the Isles of the Bless'd should her cord
               Be severed from this world forever, she buries her brother
               With honour, and I shall renounce her never. Who profits
               From my father's pigheadedness and who shall be the
               Citizen of his heart? War and betrayal have blinded him to
               The needs of the individual, and the laws which govern all
               The Heavens have been lost in his quest for glory. Ha! He'd
               Be an excellent king on a desert island! (146) Perhaps if no
               More can be said, this shall be my only pleasure in what
               Might be our last exchange. For I cannot go on living in a
               State void of morality and cursed by the gods. Should I find
               My betrothed on her deathbed, it shall be mine too, and
               We shall wonder through the mysterious fields of eternity
               Forever. But one last opportunity will my father have to
               Change his ways - I concede nothing else. Reason or Death!