Antigone And The Cave Analysis

It has been known since the beginning of time that understanding history is crucial to the progress of society. For example, studying the causes of previous wars can help governments prevent future wars from occurring. However, understanding history goes beyond the objective; there is much that people of today can learn from religions, cultures, and morals of old. Some of these applicable ideas are expressed through the following three works: Antigone by Sophocles, “The Cave” by Plato, and Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle. These works each have their own unique morals and ideas taught within them, but coming from the same era, they share certain values as well. One of these values has to do with the way one should handle bravery; how to be courageous, but …show more content…
She is therefore, after her tragic death, seen as a heroin by most because of her great sacrifices. However, upon evaluating Antigone’s actions, one may not find them heroic, but impulsive and foolish. The most prominent example of this impulsiveness is found at the very beginning of the story, when Antigone commits the crime which would eventually be the cause of her death: she acts directly against the law and attempts to give her traitorous brother a proper burial. This seems an innocent crime; perhaps the girl was simply protecting her family at any costs. But there is more to be evaluated regarding Antigone’s actions. Although her goals seemed admirable, the way in which she tried to achieve them was abrupt and irrational. She did not seem to think before she acted against her government, even when those she loved advised her to do so. In the first scene, Antigone’s sister, Ismene, tries to be a voice of reason for Antigone, but she is only ridiculed and ignored in return. After she sees that she will not be able to convince her sister not to commit the crime, she tries at least to get her to do so quietly: “ Alas, how I fear for you, daring