Stories of Gilgamesh and Antigone and the Concept of Justice
Individuals in the past have valued their unique viewpoint of justice. Justice is a word where almost every person has a different interpretation. Even though justice has a broad list of definitions, it can be defined. Justice is characterized as a standard based on ethical, rational, legal, religious, fair, or equitable reasoning. To start with, this is justice essay in which is discussed the stories of Gilgamesh and Antigone. Here we will read how justice is administered throughout the stories. In the end, everyone receives justice.
The Introduction of Enkidu and the befriending of Gilgamesh was the first sign of showing Gilgamesh’s human side. Gilgamesh restricts himself to assertions to either accomplish perfect godliness or die in a glorious battle to leave a legacy in history. “I will make a lasting name; I will stamp my fame on men’s minds forever”. The killing of Humbaba, rejecting Shamhat’s request to be her lover, the slaying of the Bull of Heaven, and the acts of defiance against the gods and the people the gods begin their justice on Gilgamesh. Justice is served by the taking of Enkidu’s life, causing Gilgamesh great sadness. Gilgamesh is shown compassion by the scorpion people while looking for immortality. They turn out to be compassionate and courteous. “This brave man, driven by despair, his body frost-chilled, exhausted, and burnt by the desert sun—show him the way to Utnapishtim”. For the first time, Gilgamesh behaves with reason and control to resist battle with the scorpions. The voyage highlights the ways he has treated individuals and how these experiences have deeply moved him. “But until the end comes, enjoy your life, spend it in happiness, not despair”. At the start, he is seen as a ruthless tyrant that only cares about his desires. However, Enkidu’s friendship and immortality search taught him the significance of bravery, self-control, and justice.
As stated earlier, a cruel ruler that cares only for his needs will quickly see the values of tolerance, bravery, and justice. In Antigone, justice plays a vital role since each character’s understanding of justice explains the reason for their acts. Antigone is a supporter of the law of Heaven, while Creon believes in the regulation of man. Antigone informs her sister that she will disregard Creon’s decree and bury her brother in the first scene. Antigone claims, “Creon is not enough to stand in my way”. Antigone tells Ismene, “You may do as you like, since apparently the laws of the gods mean nothing to you.”
In comparison, Creon believes that he is behaving with righteousness to order the death of Antigone. Antigone, by the side of her brother, revived the grave. Guards captured Antigone holding her brother’s body, trying to renew the burial, Creon wonders why she did the deed to Antigone, and Antigone admits she is never going to deny her remorse. Creon concludes that Antigone must be disposed of to right the balance and ensure that no female shall ever one up a man. Creon stood by his conception of justice, but in doing so, he defied the gods’ laws and lost his son and wife. Creon asks the gods to end his suffering; however, the gods will not grant his wish. Finally, Creon is contrite; he knows that he killed Haemon, his son, and Antigone and shamed Polyneices and that he can no longer be king or live among humans. In an interesting twist, he demands the same sentence as those he executed, a slow death.
“Lead me away. I have been rash and foolish. I have killed my son and my wife. I look for comfort; my comfort lies here dead. Whatever my hands have touched has come to nothing. Fate has brought all my pride to a thought of dust”.
Choragus makes it clear that Creon’s destiny is to live out his days in the most profound regret and shame, as a symbol that no mortal can escape his divine fate.
Some will argue that since Gilgamesh and Creon were not convicted for their indiscretions and tyranny, justice was not served. Because of Gilgamesh and Creon’s actions, the deaths served a greater purpose and did not go in vain in the name of justice. Justice for Gilgamesh and Creon was done when the end of their ruthless tyranny ended, and the people around them could now live without the fear of their terror impacting lives of the people and the community.
Gilgamesh had a broken heart for the loss of his best friend, and the fear of death put him on a path to seek out immortality. During the journey, Gilgamesh crossed paths with people that had their own sad stories that tugged on the heart of Gilgamesh, making him contemplate on the way he had been living and see life in a different light. One could say that the human side of Gilgamesh comes out, making him a better king to his people and to the way he lived his life.
Creon ruled by his laws and not by the gods; Creon saw himself as a god making unjust decisions to show his power. Once Antigone hanged herself, Haemon, was in despair, killing himself also; when she heard the news of her son’s death, Eurydice, the queen, killed herself as well, is the moment of her death. Unfortunately, it is already too late to correct things, and he has already ended up losing all. Creon is miserable, his wife and son are dead, Antigone is dead, Thebes’ city turned against him. Justice is fulfilled. Creon lost everything.
Finally, there is justice in every event. One can only create tyranny and injustice, moral rightness, against people for so long before justice is dealt upon them. Although some will have to sacrifice their well-being before justice is done, it also comes at a high cost to a tyrant. “Big words are always punished, and proud men in old age learn to be wise”.
