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

book, Antigone feels disgraced about how her uncle,King Creon, declares that her brother, Polynices, shall not have burial rites. She feels so strongly about this that she goes against her uncle and decides to bury him herself. "… I go to raise a tomb above my dearest brother.... Say that I'm mad, and madly let me risk. The worst that I can suffer and the best: A death that martyrdom can render blest"(Antigone 194-195). In this quote Antigone tells her sister Ismene that she will go and bury her brother no matter if it's a crime or not, for it's the right thing to do because she loves him. MLK deeply believes in getting fairer treatment of African Americans in America. " In a sense we come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing up a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, Black men as well as White men, would be guaranteed the "unalienable Rights" of "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. "It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note, insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds" ( I had a dream). In this part of his speech Martin Luther King Jr. describes to the crowd how America has not carried out their promise of freedom to all people. In this part of his speech MLK sounds similar to Antigone by which they declare that the actions of their society's leaders were not fair and equal to all its citizens .

The actions of both Antigone and Martin Luther King Junior were also similar.

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

nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make a justice a reality for all of gods children"(I had a dream). He explains how the public has chosen to listen to a "mortal edict" by segregating African Americans making them nonexistent and inferior. Instead of listening to the edict of God, how everyone is equal under his eye "all of God's children". Both Antigone and Martin Luther King Jr. break the human law in order to defend the natural law.

Nevertheless, some might say Antigone’s actions were unruly and superfluous.

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

for Antigone, all would be at peace.

In conclusion, some 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. Both argue their points, in different ways, but with the same reason behind it. They feel that breaking an unjust law isn’t breaking one at all, they shouldn’t have to pay. Yet they will die for what they believe in. However, some might also argue that Antigone’s actions were childlike, unruly and superfluous.