Antigone Vs. Martin Luther King Jr.

Antigone vs. MLK principles

One might say Antigone’s principles against the cruel and powerful King Creon are similar to the principles of Martin Luther King, Jr., against the unjust laws of prejudice in America. Antigone is fighting the biased ruling of the corrupt and arrogant king Creon. MLK(Martin Luther King Jr.) is fighting for racial equality against generations of Americans. Antigone and MLK both defend their principles and actions against the battle of injustice. However, Antigone takes a more audacious approach , while Mr. King uses a more cogent path. Nevertheless, some might say Antigone’s actions were unruly and superfluous.

Antigone and MLK's principles and actions against the battle of injustice are very similar. In the

When Creon asked Antigone if she had buried her brother, Polynices, she was non-hesitant and willing to answer truthfully. " I did. I deny not a thing"(Antigone 209). Creon then questions her, "now tell me, Antigone, a straight yes or no: did you know an edict had forbidden this?" ( Antigone 210). Antigone: "Of course I knew. Was it not publicly proclaimed?"( Antigone 210). Creon: "so you chose flagrantly to disobey my law?" (Antigone 210). Antigone: " Naturally! Since Zeus never promulgated such a law, nor will you find the justice, mistress of the world below, publishes said laws of humankind. I never thought your mortal edict had such force they nullified the laws of heaven, which unwritten, not proclaimed, can boast a currency that everlastingly is valid, and origin beyond the birth of man"( Antigone 210). In her defense Antigone calls Creon out stating how his law is going against the unwritten law of the gods. In Martin Luther's speech he is also not afraid of admitting to what he believes in like Antigone."We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our

Although undenialably couragous, determined, and brave. She has an achilles heel that makes her arrogant. She is unwilling to back off her quest, in burying her beloved brother. No matter if she must work alone and alienate herself in order to do so. To ensure she buries her kin with honor. “I will not press you any more. I would not want you as a partner if you asked. Go to what you please. I go to bury him. How beautiful to die in such pursuit! To rest loved by him whom I have loved, sinner of a holy sin, With longer time to charm the dead than those who live, for I shall abide forever there. So go. And please your fantasy and call it wicked what the gods call good”(Antigone 194). /she goes as far as breaking the law, presenting herself as a uncompromising person, similar to that of King Creon. Sadly her achilles heel is not from her doing. Other characters have influenced her into rushed decisions. For example Creon’s cruel punishments and brutality causes Antigone to want to bury her brother. Ismene’s refusal to help bury their beloved brother makes Antigone more determined and persistent to bury him. Eventually leading to Antigone’s suicide. She had hung herself, when Haemon (her love) saw her he stabbed himself and lied next to her in her pool of blood. Then when Eurydice(Haemon’s mother) found out she cut her throat in her bedroom. Creon was now alone. The chorus notes that if it were not