In the Bible, Jesus sacrificed his own life to allow for the redemption of mankind’s sins. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15.13). Christ perished on the cross, paying the ultimate cost, for his loved ones. His great love for humanity empowered him to make this great sacrifice. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). It details the willingness of God to sacrifice his only son because of His immense love for mankind. Thus, the Bible has been described as the “greatest story of love”. There would be no sacrifice if not for this love, and conversely, there would be no love without this great sacrifice. “To bear this doom of thine has nothing painful. But, if I had left my mother’s son unburied on his death, I should have given them pain.” (511-513). Antigone is similarly willing to perish for her great love for Polynices. Her love for her brother gives her the zeal to face her own demise and sacrifice her life for her brother. The greatest love may urge one to be willing to offer the greatest sacrifice, ones’ own …show more content…
This concept is exemplified in William Shakespeare’s famous Romeo and Juliet. The tragedy’s “star-crossed lovers” have defied numerous obstacles, including their families, in the name of their love for one another. “O you, the doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss a dateless bargain to engrossing death! … Here’s to my love!” (5.3.114-120). However, in the play’s climax, upon finding Juliet unconscious, Romeo hastily poisons himself. He sees no further reason in living without his lover. “This is thy sheath; there rust, and let me die.” (5.3.173-175). Juliet awakes to find Romeo dead and seeks to kill herself as well; requiting his emotions. The pair is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice together due to their love for each other. “We saw her hanging by a twisted cord of linen threads entwined.” (1400-1401). “And so at last they lie, dead bridegroom with dead bride, and he has gained his marriage rites in Hades’ darksome home.” (1421-1423). The actions of these characters in Antigone mirror Romeo and Juliet’s. Upon finding Antigone’s dead, an enraged Haimon mistakenly kills himself. As shown by these characters, true love requires sacrifice from all parties