Vasudeva, in Herman Hesse 's Siddhartha, and the title character of Sophocles ' Antigone both make personal sacrifices to achieve a state of pleasure and divinity for themselves and others. Making sacrifices is an integral part of developing a "Good Life." I argue these characters show us that helping other people and caring for others is a way to achieve inner peace and stability. Vasudeva showed us that by dedicating his years to mentor Siddhartha, he led Siddhartha into attaining inner peace and finding Nirvana. On the other Hand, Antigone is trying to create a better world for herself through the proper burial of family, risking her own life to please the gods and follow their rituals to attain a better life.
Antigone is a quite a controversial …show more content…
“This death of mine Is of no importance; but if I had left my brother lying in death unburied, I should have suffered” (Sophocles’ Antigone, Line 370). We can see she clearly chooses her brother over any law set by the King. Antigone is in the eyes of many, is a character that values the moral laws more than laws set forth by men. Creon specifically instructs all his kingdom to not allow the burial of Polyneices, but Antigone chooses to follow the laws of morality and the gods. This character reflects the Good Life theme that in order to achieve inner-peace and happiness, we must make challenging decisions and personal sacrifices.
Another aspect that reflects the theme of “Personal Sacrifices” is when Antigone chooses to bury her brother to reflect the power woman have. Ismene in line 63-66 mentions “We must remember, first, that we two are by nature woman and not fit to fight with man”. This statement is a catapult and turning point of the story because Antigone uses the impediment of being a woman and proceeds to break the law, a difficult decision, in order to strengthen the power of the woman in society, something that Ismene thought of
Antigone is a quite a controversial …show more content…
“This death of mine Is of no importance; but if I had left my brother lying in death unburied, I should have suffered” (Sophocles’ Antigone, Line 370). We can see she clearly chooses her brother over any law set by the King. Antigone is in the eyes of many, is a character that values the moral laws more than laws set forth by men. Creon specifically instructs all his kingdom to not allow the burial of Polyneices, but Antigone chooses to follow the laws of morality and the gods. This character reflects the Good Life theme that in order to achieve inner-peace and happiness, we must make challenging decisions and personal sacrifices.
Another aspect that reflects the theme of “Personal Sacrifices” is when Antigone chooses to bury her brother to reflect the power woman have. Ismene in line 63-66 mentions “We must remember, first, that we two are by nature woman and not fit to fight with man”. This statement is a catapult and turning point of the story because Antigone uses the impediment of being a woman and proceeds to break the law, a difficult decision, in order to strengthen the power of the woman in society, something that Ismene thought of