Antigone from the play Antigone of Sophocles, can be perceived as passionate and strong willed. Antigone’s passion to expose a law that is unjust show’s how she is willing to do anything to fight for social change. The sacrifice that Antigone made for her brother by disobeying Creon’s edict of leaving Polyneices dead in the streets to rot without a proper burial, presented to society that following the moral law and having obligation to family is significant to societal justification.
Antigone’s mind is driven towards respect for family and to follow what is morally correct. Throughout the play, Antigone defy’s Creon’s edict without any hesitation. Without proper burial of an individual during the times of Ancient Greece, the individuals soul would wander around for eternity, never resting in peace. “I myself will bury him. It will be good to die, so doing. I shall lie by his side, loving him as he loved me; I shall be a criminal-but a religious one (Antigone 82-85). By disobeying the King and his edict, society would view her as a criminal. Although Antigone knew she was being viewed in such a way by society, she continued to stick up for what was morally right and believed in her actions. “But my fate claims no tears” (Antigone 926). Antigone shows that keeping her word to bury her brother Polyneices was the right action to do for the gods and for her obligation to the family.
Women during the ancient times in Greece were viewed as inferior to the laws. Men were viewed as the law enforcers while women were controlled. This was the real issue, which changed the way women thought, for example Ismene. “You ought to realize we are only women, not meant in nature to fight against men, and that we are ruled, by those who are stronger, to obedience in this and even more painful matters” (Ismene 70-73). Antigone did not just defy any man, she defied Creon, the King. Antigone wanted society to know that a women did such an action, which she takes great pride in doing so. Antigone did not fear death due to moral pleasure, nor did she fear standing against the king’s edict. “Yes, I confess; I will not deny my deed” (Antigone 487). The quote stated by Antigone shows courageousness, that even a women such as her sister should not act cowardly towards unjust male law enforcers.
Antigone and Martin Luther King Jr. both fought for injustice laws, both having similar aspirations. Both Martin Luther King Jr. and Antigone use great language in speeches to state their beliefs. Although Antigone and Martin Luther King Jr. were in completely different era’s, both had the same driven mind set into changing society for the better. In the speech “I Have a Dream” by Martin Luther King Jr., he stated “They have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone. And as we walk we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back.” This quote is similar to “The time in which I must please those that are dead is longer than I must please those of this world. For there I shall lie forever” (Antigone 86-88). Both quotes show how it is significantly important it is to obey those who are morally right, obey those who have fair laws and to never turn back when you’re fighting for peace. Antigone and Martin Luther King Jr. fought for peace and justice, ultimately gaining that through determination along with passion.
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