The dialogue between Haemon and Creon begins with relatively long speeches in which both men claim to be using reason to support their arguments. As the quarrel intensifies, the lines become progressively shorter, and the final portion of the dialogue takes a form known as stichomythia, in which characters alternate speaking single lines of verse at a rapid pace, a dramatic technique traditionally used to evoke intense emotion or anger (forms of pathos).

The initial parts of the dialogue use two main forms of argument. The first is argument from ethos, or the character of the speaker. In particular, Creon argues that he is older and wiser and a legitimate ruler of Thebes and his own family. Haemon argues that in his position as Creon's son, he can engage in parrhesia, a form of speech free from fear of repercussions, and articulate what the Theban citizens believe but are frightened to say. Second, both characters appeal to logos, or reason, with Creon emphasizing the necessity for order and individual authority and Haemon emphasizing that the collective wisdom of many people will always be superior to that of a single individual.

Haemon is a skilled rhetorician, weaving the three persuasive appeals—logos, ethos, and pathos—into his plea for Antigone's life. Haemon begins with a logos appeal—an appeal to reason. After some initial flattery, he begins by pointing out that the gods have given men the ability to reason and learn wisdom. The fact that men must learn wisdom means they are not born with full understanding. Therefore, they must change their position as they gain further understanding. Haemon provides new information—new data—that his father doesn't know in order to help him come to a new conclusion. That information involves what the people in the street are saying about Antigone—things they won't say to Creon's face because he is king. Haemon concludes this logical argument with two analogies of beneficial change: trees that bend in the wind and ships that must adjust their sails to avoid sinking.

Next Haemon uses an appeal to ethos, or authority. He brings up the "Theban folk" again as unanimously believing Antigone is not an evildoer. Next he appeals to the gods, saying that he is pleading for their honor as much as for Creon's.

Haemon has previously sprinkled pathos into his argument by flattering Creon and keeping his tone respectful at first. When his father will not listen despite appeals to reason and authority, Haemon launches into a hot pathos appeal. He threatens to commit suicide and openly insults his father. This is not the most skillful use of emotional appeal, perhaps, but Haemon isn't bluffing.

Haemon pulls out all the stops when he tries to convince his father to spare his bride-to-be, but Creon is beyond reach of rhetoric at this point. Haemon's appeals to reason, authority, and emotion fall on deaf ears.

This is a great question. The longest speech that Haemon offers to Creon is found in the...