Antigone- Bastion of Virtue

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Fellow Thebans, we gather today to determine the case of Antigone. She stands accused of treason for following the will of the gods by burying her own brother, Polynices. You may ask, why would the state carry a law that contradicts the demands of the gods? I tell you good people, Creon's decree, which forbade the burying of Polynices for fighting his home city will be met with stoning. The law was forged by impulse and anger. By disobeying the "laws the gods all hold in honor", Creon disintegrated his own virtue and the virtue of Thebes itself (Sophocles, Antigone). Therefore, the actions of Antigone should not be met with stoning, but with honor and praise. For she is fighting an injustice within our laws and preserving justice, "the bond of men" (Aristotle, Politics).
As Aristotle writes, the human soul is capable of understanding, free will, planning, and deliberation. Due to these rational functions, we are able to examine our life and determine our psyche (nature), and teloi (our function, purpose, end goal). With this foundational knowledge, we can use arête (virtue) to become properly developed (eudaimonia). This journey towards happiness does not only occur on the personal level. Thebes itself undergoes this quest towards harmony. It is the role of every citizen, especially the statesmen, to lead the state down the orthodox path. This task is essential because without a just society, human happiness is impossible (Aristotle, Ethics Book I).
You are all probably thinking, how can we attain happiness for ourselves and the state? The answer lies in virtue. In particular, "human good turns out to be activity of the soul in accordance with virtue," (Aristotle, Ethics Book I). While some may think wealth is the final end, i...

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...tuous actions performed our citizenry lead Thebes towards eudaimonia, any force to the contrary, even the actions of Creon (the sovereign), would deter from societies' happiness. Like Socrates professed in word and deed, our country's physical and moral well being takes precedence over all other matters. In this case, finding Antigone not guilty will protect both of these necessities towards a good life.
Countrymen, your decision on Antigone will determine the future of our great city. It is up to you to decide the moral battle waging within our walls. Will you side with Creon and risk the virtue of Thebes itself and our children? Or, will you take the harder path and defy the sovereign in order to uphold the city's integrity? Freeing Antigone is a key step in overcoming Theban intemperance and wrath. By crossing this hurdle, we are paving the way for eudaimonia.

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