Similarities Between Antigone And Martin Luther King

Both Antigone and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. can be viewed as rebels. Despite strict laws being enforced by their governing bodies, each chose to challenge authority in favor of their moral compasses. By objecting to the laws set in place, both Dr. Martin Luther King and Antigone fought for what they felt was truly right and just in each of their given situations. Although each character’s circumstances and actions seem to differ greatly, Dr. King would agree with Antigone’s choices to question authority in order to uphold mutual respect and honor for all individuals, as well as religious values, despite the laws set in place. Religious beliefs were Antigone’s driving force in opposing the law of Creon. She states that no mortal (in this case,

For Antigone it seems that obeying the law and failing to provide her brother, Polyneices, with a proper burial would be more agonizing than any punishment she would face from Creon. Antigone would rather take a stand and risk her life than sit idly as justice fails to be served. Similarly, religion was also a central force in Dr. King’s life; he has served as president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and has participated in the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights (King, 1). Dr. King would agree with Antigone’s decision to oppose the law in favor of religious beliefs because he has done so himself. He believed that all men under God should

King would not only agree with Antigone’s choice and methods for opposing the law, but commend her for it as well. Dr. King was a staunch believer in nonviolent, direct action when it came to protest. Antigone did exactly this by quietly and stealthily sprinkling dirt on Polyneice’s body as his “burial”. Dr. King would respect Antigone for taking a stand civilly instead of being just another bystander or worse, a violent rioter. Both Dr. King and Antigone were incarcerated for their opposition to the legal system, but both chose to accept it full-heartedly and without shame. Antigone did not oppose her arrest or lash out violently as a result of it. Instead, she chose to maintain a sense of dignity and accept her punishment without harming Creon or the guards. Dr. King would approve of this choice, for he did not believe in violent action and chose to only participate in peaceful protest. If these two individuals were going to be imprisoned for anything, it was best that it be for something that they care so deeply for and were serving God(s) in the