"The tyrant dies and his rule ends, the martyr dies and his rule begins." (Kierkegaard) In terms of Antigone, this quotation makes a lot of sense. If a tyrant's, or a cruel dictator-like person's, role is to diminish, he/she will not necessarily die, but his/her popularity will most definitely decline. As the contrary is true for a martyr, or a person who suffers so as to keep his/her faith and/or principles. He/She will pretty much never die. Through the old, Greek play Antigone, written by Sophocles, this quotation appears evidently true in the roles of King Creon, Antigone, and Ismene.

In the quotation above, "The tyrant dies and his rule ends, the martyr dies and his rule begins," Creon portrays the part of the tyrant very well. His regards for the laws of the city cause him to abandon all other beliefs. He believes that everyone should obey the laws set forth by him, even if other beliefs, moral or religious, state otherwise. He enforces these laws very strictly. At the beginning of the play, Creon orders the people not to bury Polyneices because of his dishonor towards Thebes. Furthermore, if Creon

catches anyone burying him, he/she will be killed for disobeying his order. This alone makes the quotation true. If people see the cruel truth behind this action, they will make sure to see the end of his rule. When Creon realizes that the burial of Polyneices does occur, he sends his Sentry to figure out the culprit. He explains to his Sentry that if he can not catch this person, he will then have to be killed. This also makes his appearance as a tyrant. It only adds to the fact of his rule ending once his popularity declines. After

the Sentry discovers Antigone as the culprit, he brings her in to the King. Creon sentences her to leave and be faced with death. "I will carry her far away/ Out there in the wilderness, and lock her/ Living in a vault of stone....And there let her pray to the gods of hell:/ They are her only gods:/ Perhaps they will show her an escape from death,/ Or she may learn, though late,/ That piety shown the dead is pity in vain." (Creon, 688-89) Not many people believe that what Antigone did is wrong. In fact, many would do the same if placed in her shoes. So again, this becomes another reason for the people of Thebes n

The Tyrant Dies & His Rule Ends &The; Martyr Dies and His Rule Begins. (1969, December 31). In DirectEssays.com. Retrieved 23:12, May 21, 2013, from http://www.directessays.com/viewpaper/8843.html

Direct Essays. "The Tyrant Dies & His Rule Ends &The; Martyr Dies and His Rule Begins." DirectEssays.com. DirectEssays.com, (December 31, 1969). Web. 21 May. 2013.

Direct Essays, "The Tyrant Dies & His Rule Ends &The; Martyr Dies and His Rule Begins.," DirectEssays.com, http://www.directessays.com/viewpaper/8843.html (accessed May 21, 2013)