Heroes in The Play Antigone

In the play, Antigone by Sophocles, Antigone, the same as Malala, knew what she was going to do and did not let anyone prevent her from accomplishing her goal. The conviction and attitude that there's still broader fairness outside the rule seen in Malala is also seen in Antigone when she believes the laws of gods are much more significant than Creon's will ever be. Although Creon had proclaimed that her Polyneices would not be buried, Antigone pursued her values and buried him, knowing the risks and consequences for her actions. The courage and determination that Antigone has shown is also evident in Malala. Not only were they around the same age and are the same gender but they achieved something that most individuals in their society might not have had the bravery to do. Both Antigone and Malala were willing to put their lives at risk and take a stand for what they believe in and what was morally justifiable.

Malala Yousafzai, a young woman, standing up to men or world leaders more powerful than she is, but who won't suppress a young girl's voice that believes in something larger and more powerful than she ever has. Malala believes that everyone, especially girls, ought to have the opportunity to be educated, she perceives it as a right for everybody to be able to read, write and think. Malala says in her nobel speech, “The terrorists tried to stop us and attacked me and my friends who are here today, on our school bus in 2012, but neither their ideas nor their bullets could win.” The government and terrorist groups did and even still do not see things that way and did everything in their power to censor her much as Creon tried to silence Antigone.

Malala is optimistic and open-minded just the same as Antigone, she could not see the issue with young girls being taught just like young boys are. Malala's government looks at women much like Creon in Antigone, and we can see that like Antigone, Malala believes that a change can be made and has opportunities and benefits in the end. Both alike in personality, Antigone and Malala are both very stubborn and will not go down without a fight. For example, “Very well: when my strength gives out, I shall do no more. (Sophocles, line 75)” and Malala says in her nobel speech, “This is where I will begin, but it is not where I will stop. I will continue this fight until I see every child, every child in school.”

Both Malala and Antigone are heroes. They're both strong, independent women who stand up for something bigger than them because they know that ultimately, change is going to take place, and people will start looking at things with a different perspective. Antigone was a woman that was well ahead of her time, even as a fictional character, as she was a feminist well before this theory was ever discussed. Malala is battling in a time where women are already able to learn. She genuinely wants to have the voices of thousands of girls around the world to be heard so that she can ensure that no girls are revoked the opportunity to a proper education.