Pericles (493 BC - 429 BC) was a statesman of Athens, Greece during this time of political exploration and expansion. He led the Athenians to remain extremely proud of their city and like all statesmen his words had an extremely influential impact on the appetite for progress of the democracy. An example of such an oral masterpiece is the address he made after the first battle with opposing Grecian city Sparta. This civil war in Greece had created chaos and sparked worry in the Athenians. Pericles' Funeral Oration was a reminder to them. The great speech was a pep-rally to restate the original reason for which they were fighting; to honor the noble soldiers that died while the

With this attitude, Pericles made it conceivable that this was the way towards a bright future. He was a man full of ambition for the city and the city's people. City funds were dealt out to aid in preserving Athens beauty and creativity through art. He sought to attain a great army and standard of living for Athens without the harsh everyday training found in the city of Sparta.

Similarly, Creon and Pericles' also fought for justice. Creon's immunity to persuasion was a matter of pride. In fact this detail was the fatal weakness of his. It is in the face of change and daring, indeed, that man must be persuaded before he reaps the benefits of his actions. Creon learned this in the end as did Pericles also try to instill with his oration:

The characters Antigone and Creon represent two completely different views when it comes to discussing what is the right way and what is the wrong way to go about achieving utopia, or atleast justice, within a community. Antigone believes that friendships and family are the most important relationships to preserve, while Creon takes the approach that having friends is actually a privilege made possible by the city itself and any traitor, friend or family to the city is a traitor to everyone including those of their own blood. One might assume that Sophocles is trying to provide a brief synopsis of Grecian history. Creon can be compared to Pericles in that they are both dedicated to the city that they belong to, and Antigone can be compared to the Spartans sharing their die-hard approach to one goal worth fighting for. Oh, for she could have been of Spartan blood if it weren't written otherwise! The Spartans determination and their dedication were enforced with much boasting. Antigone was quite young and ignorant as those in Sparta were uncultured about the many things that Athens had seen necessary is for contentment. Antigone had one goal, as did Sparta: fight for what was just. She believed in the unwritten laws of mere morality. She believed that the gods were responsible for judging her and that was much more important than following the rules laid down by her uncle.

dishonor, but met danger face to face; in one brief moment, while at the summit of their fortune, they escaped from fear and embraced their glory." Pericles' Funeral Oration.

Creon, being absorbed in his pride and desire for power, didn't listen to his son, Haemon, when he gave advice about good rulers "bending like branches caught in a flood". No, in Athenian democracy, everyone knew how important persuasion was. Creon rose up at a time t

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Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)