Niko Grozav

11/21/16

2nd hour

Old vs. Modern Civil Disobedience

Antigone, translated by Robert Fagles, despite being written more than 2 thousand years

ago, has many themes that are still relevant today. Many times throughout the play the Antigone

refuses to obey Creon's orders and tries to bury the body anyway because it is the honorable

thing to do. This act by Antigone can be defined as civil disobedience, refusing to comply with

certain laws put in place by the government. Sometimes people go against the law to do what

they consider right.

Antigone wants to bury her brother in order to honor him, while her sister, Ismene, is

afraid to betray the law. We know this because Ismene says, Oh my sister, think think how

our own father died, hated, his reputation in ruins, driven on by the crimes he brought to light

himself to gouge out his eyes with his own hands then mother ... his mother and wife, both in

one, mutilating her life in the twisted noose and last, our two brothers dead in a single day,

both shedding their own blood, poor suffering boys, battling out their common destiny hand-to-

hand. Now look at the two of us, left so alone ... think what a death we'll die, the worst of all if

we violate the laws and override the fixed decree of the throne, its power we must be sensible.

Remember we are women, we're not born to contend with men. Then too, we're underlings, ruled

by much stronger hands, so we must submit in this, and things still worse. I, for one, I'll beg the

dead to forgive me I'm forced, I have no choiceI must obey the ones who stand in power.

Why rush to extremes? It's madness, madness. (60-80) She says their parents and brothers died

and the two of them are the only ones left in family. Ismene claims they could die for disobeying
Creons law, acknowledging they are both women under the power of men, and believes she has

no choice but to obey the law. This theme is developed throughout the play when Antigone

persistently fights to bury Polyneices when she knows there could be consequences. When

Antigone is caught Creon interrogates her and asks if she denied what she did and if she was

aware of the edict. Antigone does not regret anything and says she was following divine law by

not obeying Creon.

Even today many people are protesting against the government and trying to do what is

right even if they will be punished by law. An example of civil disobedience is happening in

North Dakota and this movement raised about three million dollars towards their cause. These

protesters are attempting to stop the construction of an oil pipeline that may contaminate

drinking water and disrupt cultural artifacts. These protesters believe it would be morally wrong

to allow the construction of this pipeline since it will harm others. Both Antigone and those

protesters show civil disobedience because they are going against the law in order to do what is

right. Antigone does what she believes to be right when she buries Polyneices despite Creon's

law. Antigone says, I urge no more; nay, wert thou willing still, I would not welcome such a

fellowship. Go thine own way; myself will bury him. How sweet to die in such employ, to rest, --

Sister and brother linked in love's embrace-- A sinless sinner, banned awhile on earth, But by the

dead commended; and with them I shall abide for ever. As for thee, Scorn, if thou wilt, the

eternal laws of Heaven. (82-93) In this quote Antigone believes religious law is above Creons

law. Today people believe this and it leads to protests against the government.

Modern society can learn a lesson from Antigone, people need to be ready to accept

consequences for their actions. Antigone was loyal to Polyneices and her religious beliefs, she

was brave while honoring her brother and ready to accept death for doing so. She was aware
there could be consequences but she did it anyway. Antigone said, I did it. I don't deny a thing.

(492) From this quote we learn that she does not deny her actions when confronted by Creon.

This teaches people today to be brave and do what is right no matter the consequence. Antigone

also says, Creon, what more do you want than my arrest and execution? (555-556) From what

Antigone said, we learn that she knew she would be executed for burying her brother but needed

to do the honorable thing. Today, people learn from Antigone to be brave and do the right thing

even if it puts them in danger.

Civil disobedience is present both in Antigone and society today. People today are willing

to give their life for what is right, like Antigone did when Creon was against the burial of

Polyneices. Love is what encourages people to live or die for something. Antigone loved her

brother and did not care if it leads to her death.