Antigone and Benazir Bhutto both did what they thought was right, regardless of society. Each of them made a choice that changed the lives of the society around them forever. Antigone’s choice proves to be more honorable.
First, Antigone doesn’t back down from her decision of burying Polyneices, even when knowing the consequences. “Ismene, I am going to bury him” (Fitts 3). Antigone thought it was unjust that Eteocles got a proper burial, but Polyneices does not. She prefers to follow the natural laws of God, and doesn’t agree with the law system that Creon created for the society to follow. ” I say that this crime is holy…” (Fitts 4). Antigone had good reasons for her actions. She obeyed the rules of the gods in regard to any dead body having a proper burial. Antigone couldn’t let Creon’s edicts go against her morals. She stood up for what she believed in, which was a honorable burial for her brother Polyneices.
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On the other hand, Benazir Bhutto broke one of Islam’s greatest and most controversial taboos. “Islamic doctrine prohibits women from participating in politics” (The Christian Science Monitor). Women weren’t allowed to hold any position in political office, or any other leadership positions at the time. She became the first democratically elected female leader of a Muslim country. Benazir felt like nobody was doing anything for Pakistan and wanted to take risks. ” On April 10, 1986, Benazir Bhutto launched a nationwide campaign for “open elections” (Staff 1). Because of her determination for change for what she believed in, she improved and modernized society. Benazir Bhutto became an inspiration, and a role model to many Pakistani women. However, these actions didn’t expand throughout the country. According to the article titled “Benazir Bhutto”, The death of Benazir Bhutto shocked the whole country of Pakistan and “plunged Pakistan into turmoil, intensifying the dangerous instability of a nuclear-armed nation in a highly volatile region” (Benazir Bhutto Article).
Both women brought a change in their daily lives and society. Similarly, they both believed changes could be brought to the laws enacted. Benazir Bhutto brought numerous changes to society, such as education, electricity, housing, etc. On the contrary, there are still people in poverty today. “According to UNICEF, 22,000 children die each day due to poverty” (Shah 1). To be honorable is to bring or be worthy of honor. Although Benazir Bhutto improved the lives of the Pakistani people, it didn’t last very long. Her death shook Pakistan and plunged them into turmoil and chaos (Benazir Bhutto Article). Antigone was prepared to sacrifice her life just for the sake of her brother’s burial. “But I will bury him; and if I must die… shall lie down With him in death” (Fitts 4). She proved to be an admirable character that stood up to adversity and withheld her pride. Today, burials can be done when somebody has deceased, and is not questioned.
Benazir Bhutto and Antigone each made their own choice, regardless of society. Antigone was intent on sacrificing her life for Polyneices burial, and Benazir Bhutto wanted people to have a voice and be able to vote for their leader as a democracy. Both women did what they thought was just. As a result, society is more accepting than it was in Antigone and Benazir Bhutto’s time.
