Disobedience In Antigone: Unjust Law, And Civil Rights

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Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “One has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.” If Martin Luther King Jr. and countless others had not protested during the Civil Right movement there would still be segregation and inequality. Without a doubt, there are times when it is justifiable to break a law in a democratic society. If rights are being denied, if the majority feel it is an unjust law, or even if the minorities (being that they are experts on the subject) feel it is wrong as well. Despite the social contract, it’s a citizen’s responsibility to go against the government at times. Citizens have that right to protest against the government because there are basic rights that the government must provide for their citizens. The right to practice religion freely is one that most Americans might be familiar with. Oftentimes it is required to take part in one faith throughout a country. In the case of Antigone, Polynices had taken an army against Thebes, and in the eyes of King Creon he was a traitor. For that, he was not to be buried and given his last rites. The Ancient Greeks strongly believed in the power of the gods, and this was violating the law of the higher …show more content…
It comes down to ethics, and what will truly benefit the people while providing basic human rights. Although, especially in a democratic society, if it is the people being governed and feel the need to push for something then it is completely acceptable to try to get it accomplished, even if it is completely wrong. Henry David Thoreau wrote, “Disobedience is the true foundation of liberty.” A common, albeit cliché, example of civil disobedience having been necessary would be the American Revolution. Although rebellion to that extent is not usually necessary, if they had not rebelled they would not have been able to create that new government that provides its’ citizens with the rights they

Kreon And Polyneikes In Sophocles Antigone

divide themselves between those who uphold their moral compass and those who passively accept the commands of tyranny. In “Antigone”, the main character, Antigone, defies the king, Kreon, by burying her brother. After the death of Antigone’s brothers, Eteokles and Polyneikes, Kreon decides that since Polyneikes betrayed the city, he did not deserve a proper burial. Antigone, a grieving sister, believed that he did. To avenge her brother and give him the respect she believed he deserved, she buried…

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Civil Disobedience: The Social Contract Theory

The foundations of any structured civilization are the laws that ensure the wellbeing and order of society. Laws uphold a form of peacekeeping and formalized retributive punishment for those who commit crimes. The sole reason of society’s existence and continuation is the joint agreement between individuals and the state to maintain tranquility and lawfulness. This understanding is identified as ‘the social contract theory’. Its claim is that legitimate authority of a state stems from the consent…

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How Did Henry David Thoreau's Use Of Civil Disobedience

essay, the term civil disobedience is defined as: the active, professed refusal to obey certain laws, demands, and commands of a government. The practice of civil disobedience has remained a prevalent form of opposition against a governing body for hundreds of years. Initially recognized in the mid 17th century by Thoreau after his arrest, (he refused to pay the state poll tax implemented by the American government to prosecute a war in Mexico and to enforce the Fugitive Slave Law.), it has since…

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Antigone Research Paper

Antigone’s Civil Disobedience: Moral Code and Loyalty to Family Since the beginning of society, leaders with authority have made laws for civilians to obey without a second thought. Without considering morals and specific biases of people, laws are meant to be followed, or there will be consequences. In some instances, laws can collide with people's morals, forcing them to make an impactful choice. Following one’s morals may push the boundaries of an unethical law, leading to severe punishment. In…

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Antigone Vs Kreon Essay

In Sophocles Antigone, Antigone is in a dilemma between her principles and following the order of King Kreon. Being the loyal and moral sister, Antigone rebels against Kreon’s decision and gives her brother, Polynices, the proper burial he deserves, despite Kreon’s death penalty for anyone who disobeyed his commands. In Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail he explains that he disobeyed the laws that were unjust through nonviolent protests because they were laws that oppressed African…

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Questions On Pericles Funeral Oration

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Theme Of Justice In Antigone

A Dilemma Regarding Justice The play, “Antigone,” by Sophocles, illustrates a handful of characters that suffer from personal dilemmas pertaining to their own specific understandings of justice. The king of Thebes, Creon, bears the most misery throughout his predicament, in which he is faced with his own morals as a ruler and a father. He grows to find that the consequences that are formed from his decisions are irreversible and predestined. Stubborn and proud, Creon argues in defense of his values…

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