Family Relations in Frankenstein, Hamlet and Antigone

While, like many other dramatic works of literature, Frankenstein, Hamlet and Antigone concentrate heavily on human interactions and emotions, all three have a common theme that runs through all of them, which is the importance of family in forming an individual's character and how family relations influence the individual's actions.

One part of this common element is father-son relationships. In Frankenstein, there are three examples of such interaction: old De Lacey and Felix, Victor Frankenstein and his father, and the Creature and Victor. The last one differs from the first two by that the father - because Victor created the Creature, he can be considered his father for the purpose of this analysis - did not provide any kind of material or emotional support for the son. The result is that the Creature gradually loses those positive traits of character that would otherwise make him a normal human being. As to the De Laceys and the Frankensteins, while both father-son relationships are generally similar, there is a significant difference in them, namely how the financial situation of the family influences the closeness of these relationships. The Frankensteins are rich, and the children, including Victor, are provided for without parents being much involved in it. While children understand that they are cared for, they do not feel the kind of attachment to their parents as Felix De Lacey feels toward his own father. The reason Felix and his father are so close is because, in their poverty, they are in close physical and emotional interaction every day. They have to support each other both physically and emotionally, and that creates a close bond.

In Hamlet, a father-son relationship, or rather the lack of it, forms Hamlet's character as well. In a way, the situation is similar to the one between Victor Frankenstein and the Creature. Hamlet is deprived of a close relationship with his father, which takes away his ability to develop the good sides of his character. At the same time, Hamlet is envious of close bonds between his mother and her new husband and between Polonius and his children. Because Hamlet does not feel love toward anybody, he thinks that nobody loves him as well. His envy grows into hate and distrust. The opposite of Hamlet is Laertes, who has a close relationship with his father, Polonius, and because of this he cares both for his father and his sister.

In Antigone, the father-son relationship is explored through Creon and his son, Haemon. Here, unlike the previous cases mentioned, while the father is present, he is demanding to the point of being abusive. Creon demands respect and obedience without giving any back. Haemon tries to reach out to his father, but all his attempts at presenting his opinions in a logical way fail because of Creon's stubbornness. This is why Haemon eventually turns against his father.