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Comparison Of Antigone And The Second Virginia Convention Speech

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The idea that rules are set in place to support and keep people in place is a common misconception in certain cases. Therefore, in this essay, we will be evaluating how the texts “Antigone” (441 BC Sophocles) and “The Second Virginia Convention Speech” (March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry) will support the idea that unjust rules should be challenged, although doing so may be met with great consequence. Antigone is about Antigone's revolt against Creon's rule. The revolt occurs because of Antigone's belief that her brother deserves a proper burial, while Creon sees him as a traitor and refuses to grant proper burial rights. Although Creon’s reasoning is justified by law, Antigone’s reasoning is based on emotion and religion. These conflicting views …show more content…

In this speech, we see the growing discomfort between the thirteen colonies and Britain. Patrick starts off by expressing his “patriotism,” as well as the “abilities of the very worthy gentlemen," to divert the house's intuition of treason. Patrick proceeds to “speak forth my sentiments freely, and without reserve,” expressing his concern for the compromise of the colony's freedom. He dives deeper into using metaphors to expose the alleged “illusions of hope.” An attempt to show the house how they are closing their eyes and ears to the ugly truth, stating “having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not,” referencing the “arduous struggle for liberty,” and how citizens are ignorant of the truth that exists. Furthermore, Patrick starts moving from explanation and justification of his and his people's discomfort to a call of arms. A while later in The Second Virginia Convention Speech, he moves, as previously stated, to his call of arms. He starts off by stating how the British “tell us, sir, that we are weak;” to set the stage for reasoning. He explains, “But when shall we be stronger?” affirming his call to arms by simply exposing the truth that the house had been struggling to ignore. Proceeding this, he states, “Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house?” This pushes the idea that they may wait, but war will not wait for them. To clarify, the longer

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