English Literature

1. Main Post (worth 10pts): 

Option 1:  In her book The Fragility of Goodness, scholar Martha Nussbaum "suggest[s] that Antigone, like Creon, has engaged in ruthless simplification of the world of value which effectively eliminates conflicting obligations.  Like Creon, she can be blamed for refusal of vision. But there are important differences, as well, between her project and Creon's" (qtd. in Mays 2045).  Using Nussbaum's claim as a starting point, discuss the two characters. Do you think Antigone and Creon are basically alike in their emphasis on duty?  Or are there some differences between the two characters that complicate our understanding of what the play may suggest about duty?

Option 2:  This is an opinion question, but you still need to use examples from the play to illustrate. You are welcome to discuss your own experiences/ examples from our cultural moment as well.  Are the issues at stake in Antigone still relevant today? Does the play depict a type of person or conflict still common in the 21st century or does it suggest a theme that still applies today?

Your answer should include at least two direct references/ quotes from the text; you will not receive full credit for references/ quotes that other students have discussed.  Post early and you won't have to worry about losing points for piggy-backing. 

2.  One response post (you know the drill--just advance the conversation in some way in a post of about 250 words)

FOR NUMBER ONE DO BOTH OPTION 1 AND OPTION 2 

AND FOR NUMBER 2 DO RESPONSE ON THE PARAGRAPH BELOW  

AFTER THESE DO RESPONSE PAPER 2 PAGES MINIMUM DETAILS IN FILE ATTACHED 

In my opinion, the story "Antigone" does make a resemblance to our world today in the 21st century. People today have a feeling within themselves that tend to make them feel like it is the right thing to do. Antigone is the perfect resemblance for this. "Let that be your excuse. But I will go heap the earth on the grave of my loved brother" (Sophocles 93-94). "Yes, I will confess; I will not deny my deed" (Sophocles 487). I feel as if honesty and doing what you believe in is something more important than the rules or law of someones else's rule. Antigone did that as she believed it was the right thing to give her brother Polynices a proper burial. Furthermore, the second quote describes her confession to Creon that she did the burial and would accept the punishment. She also wanted forgiveness so she can be with Creons son Haemon. Croon didn't give her that, but regretted every bit of it, after she killed herself. It turns out that Creon felt guilt and knew he was wrong all along . I think the play does depict people that are alive today, as those people are like Antigone. 

Mays, Kelly J. The Norton introduction to literature. 12th ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Co., 2017. Print. "Antigone." Sophocles.