contemporary Antigone

A detailed Summary of contemporary Antigone

Society cannot escape contemporary moral issues. We are continually exposed to situations that bring into question our very system of beliefs. In response to these ethical dilemmas we are forced to adapt and reevaluate our present frame of mind resulting in both positive change and unavoidable struggle. Throughout the play Antigone, Sophocles clearly demonstrates the adversity one must face in the fight against injustice. One need not look very far to find immediate parallels in our own present-day society.

The central conflict in Antigone is very recognizable: the struggle of a strong minded individual in direct conflict with the established rule of another. In the case of Antigone this rule comes in the form of King Creon. The story unravels as Polynices, Antigone's brother, dies while attacking the city of Thebes. By order of Creon Polynices's body is left to rot in the streets, a seemingly fitting judgment for a traitor. Regardless of her brother's actions Antigone believed he deserved a proper burial. In her eyes Creon's power wasn't limitless. "I did not think your edicts strong enough to overrule the unwritten, unalterable laws of God and heaven, you being only a man." Unwilling to yield her convictions Antigone

Sophocles clearly understood the influential power of the struggle between good and evil, right and wrong, the just and the unjust. Well over two thousand years have passed since its creation yet Antigone can still find modern-day parallels; the story stays the same...only the names of change.

Just as Antigone fought to right a wrong Canada's own Nellie McClung fought injustice with regards to women and the right to vote. McClung believed that the protection of women from spousal alcohol abuse and the exploits of factory work could be achieved the by gaining the right to vote. Determined to achieve this goal McClung helped form The Political Equity League in 1912. In an attempt to gain recognition for their cause a mock parliament was staged in 1914. With McClung as Prime Minister they spoke about why nice men don't want the vote; it was an immediate hit. With reason and humor McClung clearly proved women were capable of voting. In January 1916 Manitoba became the first province to give women this right. Part of the "famous five" McLaughlin managed the to raise a family, become a successful novelist and the first woman to sit on the CBC board of governors. Like Antigone, McClung's struggle was made that much more difficult due to the fact that she was surrounded by a male dominated society. Shrugging off intimidation, McClung bravely fought for the rights of women nation-wide changing the very structure of our society.

was found burying her brother and sentenced by Creon to die. Her fiancee Haemon, the son of Creon, discovered Antigone's dead body. Stricken with grief he killed himself. Upon hearing the news of his death Eulydices, Haemon's mother, also took her life. Creon, alone and responsible for the deaths of three people, finally un

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Approximate Word count = 1196
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: People