Antigone Moral Obligation and Civil Disobedience - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 4 Words: 1321 Downloads: 10 Date added: 2019/05/13 Category Society Essay Level High school Tags: Antigone Essay Civil Disobedience Essay Did you like this example? Greek tragedy often teaches moral lessons at the expense of human life and political will. Antigone is the tragic story of the daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta of Thebes after the army of Argos vanishes and her brothers have killed each other on opposite sides of the battle. While the Greeks were well-aware of the literary history, the tragedy still provides a historical and modern perspective for one of the oldest questions in society: how does one protest an unjust and cruel law that is contrary to moral obligation? The tragic conflict between Creon, Antigone and Ismene illustrates the struggle between the unjust laws of kings and the Greek gods. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Antigone Moral Obligation and Civil Disobedience" essay for you Create order Creon, as the king, represents the dictator of human laws; Ismene represents the frail human emotion of submission to power; and Antigone illustrates the concept of facing unjust and tragic death without doubting its purpose. Antigone is the quintessential character who risks her life to comply with divine order, familial loyalty and social decency in the face of political power. In the process, her actions demonstrate how to follow ones moral soul to do the right thing.Historically, Greeks held burial of the dead as the most sacred of acts. Honoring the dead and their valor plays a significant role in their literature and mythology. Homer provided examples in the Iliad regarding an agreement and ceasefire during the Trojan War to pay homage to the bodies of fallen soldiers and conduct their funerals with admirable rituals. The extraordinary sense of duty and honor continued centuries later in Greek Theatre. Respect and burial of the dead played a significant role between the democratic city and those who fought for it. Sophocles wrote in an era of democracy, but the laws of the gods were still powerful. The citys and the individuals fate were one in the same and even after death, they would be remembered as honorable men continuing to live in the city. The legend of Oedipus and his children was well-known by all of Greece. The conflict between the brothers seeking to rule was a story that repeats throughout history. Thebes was a divine monarchy under attack. Against this landscape, the stories of Antigone begin after th e armies of Argos has vanished and the two sons of Oedipus, Polynices and Eteocles, have killed each other in war. Each brother believed his actions were just. Sophocles interprets the ancient story with the Chorus, whose role changes throughout the play. The city, represented by the Chorus, is summoned by the new ruler, Creon. Creon thanks the citizens for their loyal service and dictates a proper burial for Eteocles to honor his loyalty as a defender of his city. He then prohibits, under punishment of death, any burial of Polynices as a punishment for his treason. The city is aware this law is an assault on their religious laws, but ultimately, they submit to Creons law and are convinced that no one would sacrifice their own life to violate it.In the first scene, Antigone asks her sister, Ismene, to help her bury her brother Polynices. When she sees that Ismene does not have her convictions, Antigone argues that her family has suffered enough. She explains that her father, died in hatred for his actions killing his father and marrying his mother. Then his mother hung herself and their brothers killed each other in war. Ismene can only see the authority of the King and refuses to help Antigone. Antigone challenges Ismene to be a true sister instead of a traditional female who obeys male guardians, especially the king. (Moral and Civil Disobedience. PowerPoint). Antigones purpose is to inject morality into the conflict. Rejected by her sister, Antigone acts with her conscience and buries her brother. She felt it was morally wrong to leave her brother without a proper burial. The rituals did not change the outcome of the battle or dishonor the City. Thus, Antigones rituals with Polynices body in no way harmed anyone. She accepts the consequences of defying the king and the risk to her life. Antigone followed natural law over political law.Creon believes his rules must be obeyed, even if those rules are against the gods he is the almighty ruler and his rule over every man transcends natural law. Creon is arrogant and his power and excessive pride does not allow him to see beyond his own political will. He described his power to his son,you ought to feel within your heart, subordinate to your fathers will in every way. (Fagles, 202). Creon was fully aware of the natural law and custom of burial when he issued his order. He believed he was justified when he determined that Polynices should not be buried , as an appropriate punishment. He does not consider the moral consequences of his decision because he believes his authority is unquestioned among men. Creon believed disobeying his orders carried grave consequences. This belief combined with his excessive pride and paranoia led him to view and act at the extremes. Whomever the gods placed on the throne should be obeyed, no matter how small the matter. He judges as a male chauvinist, imploring his followers to never lose your sense of judgment over a woman (Fagles, 203).never let some woman triumph over us. Better to fall from power, if fall we must, in the hands of a man never be rated inferior to a woman, never. (Fagles, 205-206). When Creon finds out Antigone has disobeyed her, he orders her death. No mortal, especially a woman, has the power to disobey him. While her actions were to follow natural law, Antigones decision to contradict political law conforms to the idea of civil disobedience. To further the basic definition of Civil Disobedience: The main elements of Civil Disobedience include a non-violent protest of unjust actions or laws. (Jones, lecture Antigone). In the play, Antigone followed her personal beliefs to defy state authority because she believed she was following a higher authority. She was not protesting the law to challenge Creons law, she was performing her moral obligation to a higher authority. She accepted the consequences because she believed no mortal had the power to contradict divine laws. Thebes response to her actions is the same goal of any civil disobedience: to question the justness of the law. The tragedy was that Creon could punish her with death, but that he was still powerless to overcome natural law and custom. Antigone takes a position against the political rules and against the state, positioning t he natural law of burial for everyone versus the political law of burying everyone but Polynices. Thebes sides with Creons law, not because they believe, but out of fear of death. Antigones actions lead the city to question that fear with their beliefs.Creon is confronted by his human failure to appreciate divine authority. After Creon sentences Antigone to death, blind prophet confronts him and foreshadows the folly of his acts. Creon realizes his mistake but is too late to save Antigone or his son. This is the triumph of natural law over his political decree. Pious Antigone loses her life but wins a moral victory against Creon. Creon tragically loses his son, his wife and his moral authority in the process. Creons political strength is undermined by his second-guessing, lack of leadership, and ultimately his failure to act. In traditional Greek Society during the Classical Age, women are shown to be submissive in political life. Sophocles Antigone takes on what were traditional male characteristics of strength, leadership and conviction under moral authority. This portrayal was unique during this period of history. Antigone is a strong woman who went beyond death by a tyrant to do what her heart dictated, that is, follow the ethical and moral laws that go beyond human beings. Because she never gave in, she remains true to her beliefs actively chooses to act in a way that guarantees her death.

George Orwell 1984 Reader Response - 1043 Words

Reader Response Analysis In the book 1984 written by George Orwell, the author wanted the readers to understand the message he has created. The message that he has conveyed throughout the book was that the Party took away many of the individual’s rights and freedoms. Orwell has shown specific examples of how the peoples’ rights are taken away throughout the text. Some of these examples include the people do not have their own privacy in the homes, control over their own thoughts, as well as control over emotions. Orwell may have given these examples for the readers to be able to relate to the government today. Today the government uses security cameras as well as they have ability to check phone records. In 1984, George Orwell has created†¦show more content†¦Julia, the girl Winston likes, is then brought into this scene. They look around the apartment and notice that there are no telescreens in this room. He finds it remarkable, this could be a place to go to get away from the telescreens (Orwell 99). From my perspective, the author did this to show that Winston was willing to go to such extreme measures to get away from the Party. Purchasing the journal and coral was dangerous enough if caught by the Party, yet he still considered the upstairs apartment. Since Winston grew up in the Party all he knew was what life was like in it. He tried to get away from the Party, by living in this apartment to see what life was like without your every move being watched. In my opinion, Orwell may have included Julia in this scene’s description so that the readers will understand how he felt towards her. This then reflected on his decisions he made later in the book. Winston and Julia look at the apartment together because relationships are forbidden within the Party. Next the author chose to explain how the government can take control over peoples’ thoughts. Since they always watched everyone, the Party can have an opinion on what they think of your thoughts and actions. If they do not like what you decide they can punish you. For example, in 1984, Winston starts to fall in love with a girl named Julia. Although in the Party relationships are strictly for having children. In the Party you are not supposed toShow MoreRelatedGeorge Orwell 1984 Reader Response722 Words   |  3 PagesTextual Analysis Rough Draft using Reader-Response The novel, 1984 by George Orwell, is a complex novel evoking many thoughts and emotions as a reader along with showing that the author was effective in conveying his message to the audience. In the first section of the novel, Orwell introduces a society that seems to be quite unusual to many readers completely in the norm for the characters in this novel. The individuals of this society or also know as party, live a life a strict rules and a protagonistRead MoreGovernment Surveillance And Totalitarianism In George Orwells 19841593 Words   |  7 PagesThe Correlation of Government Surveillance and Totalitarianism in 1984 During the production of 1984, author George Orwell never envisioned a tangible reality housing the society he constructed. He wrote the novel as a warning, a cautious exposà © showing those what could happen if society lost its sense of humanity; housed in a painfully relevant satire of totalitarian barbarism. In his novel 1984, George Orwell addresses the issue of government surveillance through his strategic use of point of viewRead MoreAnalysis Of George Orwell s 1984 1045 Words   |  5 Pages 1984 Foreword The time period in which 1984 was set was in the year 1984. It was very different from what our â€Å"1984† was like. 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Architectural Expression Of Power And Identity †Free Samples

Question: Discuss about the Architectural Expression Of Power And Identity. Answer: Architectural Expression of Power and Identity in Two Case Studies The theme of architectural expression of power and identity will be compared and contrasted in two case studies Melbourne Exhibition Building Reed Barnes and Altes Museum Berlin, Fredrich Shinkel[1]. Architecture as a symbol of power Architecture can be used to meet basic desires of activities done by human beings but can also portray certain meanings which users are unable to interpret. It can therefore be used as a symbol of power when it communicates a political message. Many state leaders built monumental buildings and urban spaces that created symbols of power. Architecture cannot be separated from the effect of a current power system in a country. It has played roles in nationalism, as certain buildings become a symbol of a nation. Architectural identities separate one country from another. The Melbourne Exhibition Building was constructed by Reed and Barnes in 1880. It is divided into the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens[2]. The entire block of the building has remained intact since it was designated by the Victorian Parliament in 1878. The Carlton Gardens has been a symbol of power especially for the aborigines as the Aborigines Advancement League mainly met and gathered here. Since the 1900s to 1968, the place was an important place of gathering for Aboriginal people. Pastor Doug Nicholls has also been greatly associated with the Carlton Gardens as he used to preach there. This is also a symbol of the power that the church has as it enabled the people to maintain a spiritual life when they went to listen to the teachings and to pray. The Melbourne exhibition is also a symbol of the power of the state. The state parliament was located here between 1901 and 1927 until the provisional parliament house was opened. This was also a venue for the grand opening of the Australian Parliament. The Commonwealth of Australias first Parliament was first commissioned here[3]. In contrast, the Altes Museum in Berlin is also considered as a power symbol. The museum is highly regarded as an important place. It is referred to as a museum of architectural history. Just like the Melbourne exhibition, the Altes Museum is also considered to be a symbol of power in terms of helping people with their spirituality. This is because it is compared to pilgrimage in antiquity and is a flashback of the temples found in ancient Greece. There is also a temple for the arts, which holds sacred works and is open to the public. The Altes Museum is also a symbol of political powers. The museum gives a history of the political history of the country and stands as a symbol of different powers, which have ruled over the years. It is a pillar of the nation and a symbol of national power[4]. Architecture as a symbol of Identity The main role of culture is to give a picture of a peoples mental ideas by introducing the concrete forms and symbolizing the identity of a nation. Architecture plays an important role in this process, as it is the true measure of a peoples culture. Buildings in any nation are a symbol of architectural culture. Culture influences formation of an architectural space by creating laws that lead to functional organization and spatial hierarchy[5]. They also create different memories and beliefs in form of symbols and different objects that are used to create the architectural space. The Melbourne exhibition building symbolizes the identity of the Australian people. This is due to the style used and different aspects of the building, which the Australians can relate with. The Melbourne exhibition has led to building of community life, shaping the cultural life and creating popular culture among Australians[6]. The Altes Museum in Berlin is also a symbol of identity. The museum has different artifacts, which are displayed, dating back to pre-historic times[7]. The people identify with the museum, as they are able to know a history of their towns and how their ancestors used to live. This enables them to understand where they have come from and why they may portray certain behaviors. It is therefore an important symbol of identity as the people are able to discover their heritage once they visit the museum[8]. As seen in the two case studies, architecture is a symbol of power and identity in different places around the world. Certain types of architecture are associated with certain cultures or countries. There should therefore be keenness as the type of architecture portrays the nation and their culture. Bibliography Donovan, Elizabeth. "The role of culture in contemporary theories of sustainable architecture." (2015). Holt, Jared A. "Social and cultural identity in and through architecture." PhD diss., 2014. Investigations of the Royal Exhibition Buildings Western Forecourt, Melbourne."International Journal of Historical Archaeology(2017): 1-24. Lawrence, Susan, and Peter Davies. "Melbourne: The Archaeology of a World City."International Journal of Historical Archaeology(2017): 1-14. Mackowsky, Hans.Karl Friedrich Schinkel: Letters, diaries, thoughts.BoD-Books on Demand, 2015. Major, Janine, Charlotte Smith, and Richard Mackay. "Reconstructing Landscape: Archaeological Paul, Carole. "Authenticity on Display."Journal of Art Historiography11 (2014): 1. Vale, Lawrence.Architecture, power and national identity. Routledge, 2014. Whelan, Yvonne.Heritage, memory and the politics of identity: New perspectives on the cultural landscape. Routledge, 2016.

The Secrets of Management Acquiring the Necessary Information

Information verification is a crucial step in understanding whether the applicant is suitable for working in a company. As York explains, applicants tend to lie about their experience in order to make an impression on the HRM specialist: â€Å"Claims made by applicants may be true, exaggerated, or entirely fictional† (York 37).Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on The Secrets of Management: Acquiring the Necessary Information specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More There is no need to stress the fact that companies in which a particular applicant used to work are usually very reluctant to provide the company that the person in question applies to in order to obtain a position out of fear for being sued: â€Å"employers are often reluctant to share † (York 37). The answer to the question regarding the means to retrieve the required information from the companies is, in fact, relatively simple. Accordi ng to what York says, it is possible to use the existing labor law statements, according to which, it is unlawful to withhold the negative information on employees, since such tactics is rendered as professional negligence (York 37). The given strategy has several problems, though. On the one hand, because of its efficacy, it seems the most trustworthy means of acquiring verified information. On the other hand, using scare techniques in order to retrieve information hardly fits the basic principles of corporate ethics and morality. Thus, the choice that a company will make hinges on the firm’s code of ethics. It should be kept in mind, though, that the candidate’s statement regarding experience and skills can be tested after completing a specific professional quiz. Who should respond to reference inquiries about former employees? What skills, training, or experience should they have? There is no secret that employees are far from being one hundred percent safe from inj uries in the workplace, especially when it comes to considering the jobs involving labor (e.g., equipment installation, maintenance works, etc.) Therefore, a company is held accountable for employees’ possible injuries. Defining the people responsible for accidents in the workplace will help tackle the possible issues aster. As York explains, employers are considered legally responsible for the injuries that may occur to the employees in the course of the production process: â€Å"Employers have a duty to protect their employees, customers, clients, and visitors from injury caused by employees that the employer knows† (York 37).Advertising Looking for critical writing on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More However, as the definition shows, there is a very thin line between the general threat that an employee may be exposed to and the threat that is recognized as such by the employer and stated in the contract. According to York, the failure to warn the future employer about the injuries that were caused by the candidate in question may be fraught with deplorable consequences for the staff. Although York does not state explicitly what qualities the person reporting on the related injuries and accidents should have, he implies that the employer in question must be competent about the subject in question. While the people providing the referral are defined as â€Å"employers† by the author, the latter stresses that they must be aware of the key issues about the candidate’s record in order to decide whether (s)he is suitable for the job. Works Cited York, Kenneth M. Applied Human Resource Management: Strategic Issues and Experiential Exercises. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2010. Print. This critical writing on The Secrets of Management: Acquiring the Necessary Information was written and submitted by user Aaden L. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.