Federalists
Words: 1,010 Pagan Heroes
Antigone is a great example of a pagan hero. She is willing to lose her life by going against Creon’s proclamation and his authority in order to give her brother a proper burial. Her defense is based on obeying the Gods, whose eternal laws are of greater importance than her own life. She states: “Yes, it was not Zeus that made the proclamation; nor did justice, which lives with those below, enact such laws as that, for mankind.” Antigone does not believe that Creon’s proclamation has power to change the “God’s ordinances.” She continues: “They are not of today and yesterday; they live forever”(Antigone, line 500).
Antigone rejects the tyrannical rule of Creon, because he uses his power unjustly: “A prince’s power is blessed in many things, not least in this, that he can say and do whatever he likes- “(Antigone, line 550). The law of the Gods is inseparable from the law of the ancestors in Antigone’s eyes: “O my Father’s city, in Theban land, O gods that sired my race…Look at me princes of Thebes, the last remnant of the old royal line;” she continues, ”see what I suffer and who makes me suffer because I gave reverence to what claims reverence”(Antigone, line 1000).
Antigone’s dedication to her family is evident in the beginning of the tragedy, in her discourse with Ismene: “At least he is my brother…I will not prove false to him…I myself will bury him. I will be good to die, so doing. I shall lie by his side, loving him as he loved me; I shall be a criminal-but religious one” she ends,” The time in which I must please those that are dead is longer than I must please those of this world”(Antigone, lines 50,80). Antigone represents the law of the Gods and devotion to her family; she shows courage by enduring suffering and dying for her beliefs that stand apart from the political power of Creon, who represents the laws of the city.
The other pagan hero introduced by Homer is Achilles. His heroism is driven primarily through his
Antigone is a great example of a pagan hero. She is willing to lose her life by going against Creon’s proclamation and his authority in order to give her brother a proper burial. Her defense is based on obeying the Gods, whose eternal laws are of greater importance than her own life. She states: “Yes, it was not Zeus that made the proclamation; nor did justice, which lives with those below, enact such laws as that, for mankind.” Antigone does not believe that Creon’s proclamation has power to change the “God’s ordinances.” She continues: “They are not of today and yesterday; they live forever”(Antigone, line 500).
Antigone rejects the tyrannical rule of Creon, because he uses his power unjustly: “A prince’s power is blessed in many things, not least in this, that he can say and do whatever he likes- “(Antigone, line 550). The law of the Gods is inseparable from the law of the ancestors in Antigone’s eyes: “O my Father’s city, in Theban land, O gods that sired my race…Look at me princes of Thebes, the last remnant of the old royal line;” she continues, ”see what I suffer and who makes me suffer because I gave reverence to what claims reverence”(Antigone, line 1000).
Antigone’s dedication to her family is evident in the beginning of the tragedy, in her discourse with Ismene: “At least he is my brother…I will not prove false to him…I myself will bury him. I will be good to die, so doing. I shall lie by his side, loving him as he loved me; I shall be a criminal-but religious one” she ends,” The time in which I must please those that are dead is longer than I must please those of this world”(Antigone, lines 50,80). Antigone represents the law of the Gods and devotion to her family; she shows courage by enduring suffering and dying for her beliefs that stand apart from the political power of Creon, who represents the laws of the city.
The other pagan hero introduced by Homer is Achilles. His heroism is driven primarily through his