Antigone Speech
Newman 1
Ashley Newman
Mrs. Robbins
Honors English II: Sixth Hour
13 November 2013
Antigone Speech
I, Antigone, stand in front of you, council members and King Creon, to rationalize my decision to bury my brother Polynices. I know my actions were against your law, but that does not mean I think they are not justified. I had just as much right to bury Polynices, as he had to be buried. Have I ever broken your law before today? Have I ever shown any signs of rebellion? My brother was not given what he deserves and as a highclass, respected citizen of this kingdom, and the daughter of a king that once was, I took action on this inconceivable circumstance. How could someone stand there and watch their own brother’s body be treated in such an appalling way? I would have rather died than go through the excruciating pain of seeing my brother scavenged by animals. If you could stand there and see someone you cherished deeply in such a manner, than you should be ashamed of yourself. Have we all forgotten the gods’ laws? Are we all just going to overlook the fact that the gods specifically say that every human should have a proper burial? Yes, I am breaking your law, Creon, but I am following our gods’. Unless you are insinuating that you think your authority is higher than theirs?
If you do wish to break the gods’ laws, Creon, what sort of example are you setting for
Newman 2
your citizens? If you, the allmighty king of Thebes, gets to defy the gods, why not the citizens of this kingdom? And let us not forget the gods themselves in all of this. I do not think they will be too happy to hear that the king is not following their laws. This can bring extensive consequences to our kingdom and everyone will know who to blame.
I believe that the real problem here is that you, Creon, are letting your better judgment be blinded by your hatred for Polynices and your fear of looking like a coward. This hatred will lead to the fall of Thebes. I
Ashley Newman
Mrs. Robbins
Honors English II: Sixth Hour
13 November 2013
Antigone Speech
I, Antigone, stand in front of you, council members and King Creon, to rationalize my decision to bury my brother Polynices. I know my actions were against your law, but that does not mean I think they are not justified. I had just as much right to bury Polynices, as he had to be buried. Have I ever broken your law before today? Have I ever shown any signs of rebellion? My brother was not given what he deserves and as a highclass, respected citizen of this kingdom, and the daughter of a king that once was, I took action on this inconceivable circumstance. How could someone stand there and watch their own brother’s body be treated in such an appalling way? I would have rather died than go through the excruciating pain of seeing my brother scavenged by animals. If you could stand there and see someone you cherished deeply in such a manner, than you should be ashamed of yourself. Have we all forgotten the gods’ laws? Are we all just going to overlook the fact that the gods specifically say that every human should have a proper burial? Yes, I am breaking your law, Creon, but I am following our gods’. Unless you are insinuating that you think your authority is higher than theirs?
If you do wish to break the gods’ laws, Creon, what sort of example are you setting for
Newman 2
your citizens? If you, the allmighty king of Thebes, gets to defy the gods, why not the citizens of this kingdom? And let us not forget the gods themselves in all of this. I do not think they will be too happy to hear that the king is not following their laws. This can bring extensive consequences to our kingdom and everyone will know who to blame.
I believe that the real problem here is that you, Creon, are letting your better judgment be blinded by your hatred for Polynices and your fear of looking like a coward. This hatred will lead to the fall of Thebes. I