Antigone

The story of Antigone is a quite interesting one that involves the question, when religious beliefs conflict with laws of society, what should be the appropriate response? In the story, Antigone is faced with the dilemma of obeying Creon's decree that Polynice's body shall not be buried or following her religious duties and give Polynices a proper burial. This is a tough question and one that has been dealt with for almost as long as civilization has been around. When people's religious views conflict with laws or orders of the government does that person have a right to disregard the rules of the government? Tough question huh... For example, during World War I, some Americans had religious beliefs that were at odds with the idea of killing e.t. ("Thou shall not kill"). These Americans were called conscientious objectors. During World War I, these people did not have a choice, either they entered the draft or they were thrown into jail. This definitely made it a tough decision whether religious beliefs held priority over government authority, especially being faced with a penalty such as being thrown into jail. (During World War II conscientious objector's were able to have the option of performing a non-combat duties such as cooking, machinery, medic etc). In Antigone's case, she feels that the gods' authority is to be obeyed at all costs and is ready to die for her beliefs. Creon is almost the complete opposite and believes that the laws of the government must be followed for the well being of society. Both have legitimate arguments but neither one are willing to make concessions to the other and work through the problem to try to find a solution. As mentioned in class, this stubbornness is perhaps rooted in the pride and egotism of both Creon and Antigone...both think they are right and refuse to try to see things from any different perspective. The issue of pride is very difficult to overcome especially in an argument, this is where the two characters fail to recognize that everyone would be better off if they laid their pride down and tried to work things out. Oh well...arguing makes for a better story i guess...

Gilgamesh's Travels

I have never written a blog before but I have always been interested in the concept. I feel like it is a great way for people to share their ideas and a great way for people to actually form their ideas as well. The topics of my conversation will be based upon literature reading done in ENGL 2200 at Auburn University. First up is the Epic of Gilgamesh. I found the story to be quiet interesting and pretty descriptive for a story that was preserved by oral tradition for a long time. I do question, however, the translation of the story. I do not pretend to be an expert on the art of translating 1,000's of year old works, but I do wonder how a very detailed and verbose story burgeoned out of, to my understanding, cuneiform scrawled on clay tablets...Regardless of the stories' authenticity, the themes of the story, the search for fame and eternal life are consistent with the longings of the human race since the beginning of time. Gilgamesh's quest for eternal life is an interesting one. Gilgamesh's quest is seeded in the loss of his friend and "brother" Enkidu. Repeatedly, Gilgamesh states that it is because of the loss of Enkidu that he cannot bear the thought of death. It seems as if the reality of death hits Gilgamesh when Enkidu dies. Before, Gilgamesh was not afraid of death, he went out to fight Humbaba and the Bull of Heaven without even really considering the danger and potential for death. After Enkidu dies however, he becomes wreckless and cannot bear the thought of dying so he sets out in the wilderness to obtain the secret to immortality. Even though i read the summary before I read the actual story, I still found myself rooting for Gilgamesh and thinking that he might actually gain eternal life. Although he fails in his attempt, in which every human does, his legacy becomes in a sense eternal. The story of the mighty king Gilgamesh and his doings still live on. In the end Gilgamesh learns to accept that he has been given a certain amount of time on the earth and that he should enjoy the many beautiful and enjoyable things that the world has to offer.