Examples Of Oppression In Antigone

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The oppression of groups by way of law is a mainstay method of population suppression. When individuals are confronted by unjust laws they, for the most part, act in accordance to their self-interest. As a result, those that are oppressed use the law their advantage to combat their oppressors. This can range from civil disobedience when necessary, as enacted by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Or by breaking the unjust laws in a brash manner, quickly bringing attention to the creeping injustice, as per Antigone. Like Kreon of “Antigone”, those who are the oppressors will fight to keep the unjust laws in place, as it is in their self-interest to do so. Individuals seek to perform actions that advance themselves in some way. Either for their own …show more content…
Antigone chose to openly defy the law and her oppressor’s by ceremoniously burying her brothers body and owning up to it, thus becoming a martyr. This brought attention to the unjust laws and shaped public opinion rather quickly, “It’s their [Thebans] view too; because of you they curb their tongues,” (Sophocles.Antigone. Trans. by Ruby Blondell. 40). Although legal means of protest are the most preferred first response to unjust laws, civil unrest is guaranteed to bring attention to injustice that is in the early stages of its realization. This will provoke a growing opposition to the unjust laws. By protesting quickly and aggressively the oppressed can halt the beginnings of oppression before it has ingrained itself into the socio-legal order. Interrupting the public opinion towards suppressive laws as quickly as possible is a lot easier than trying to revolt against longheld social-legal structures. Antigone interrupted the Theban conscious by seeking attention towards her actions. She wanted all of Thebes to be aware of her rebellion “Alas! Speak out! You’ll be more hateful still if you stay silent. No, proclaim my plan out loud to all”(23). Thus, Antigone was acting in her self-interest, by becoming a martyr for the will of the gods, allowing Thebians to carry out the good life she was pragmatically defying the oppressive nature of the new King

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