English 1302 Essay #1 on Antigone

Final Draft Due 2/5/08

Writing Situation:

The recent situation in Thebes concerning King Creon and the death of Antigone has been brought before the International Court of Human Justice. In order to understand the tragic events more fully, arguments are being brought forth concerning the blame or innocence of various parties involved. Of utmost concern for this court is the determination of what is "just" and "moral."

Writing Topic:
Write an essay presenting an argument defending the innocence or guilt of one of the characters in the play. Were the actions of this character just or unjust? moral or immoral? Why?

Possible specific topics?

Was Antigone acting immorally or morally in defying Creon?
Was Antigone just or unjust in committing suicide?

Was Creon acting immorally or morally for denying burial to Polyneicies and condemning Antigone to death?

Is Ismene to be condemned or not for her actions?

Are Haemon's actions just or unjust?
Is true justice served on Creon by the end of the play?
Is true justice served on Antigone by the end of the play?

Essay Requirements:
Write a "critical essay" on one of the topics above. The essay should be a minimum of 700 words and incorporate at least one quote either from the passage we read from Martin Luther King's "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" or from Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida. The essay should be typed with 1' margins and use MLA Documentation Style and Format. You should use no other outside sources for this project.
**Remember: Not meeting the minimum essay requirements results in a grade of no higher than a 70**

Assignment Notes:
Even though the assignment creates a fictional courtroom setting, please do not get caught up in verbal grandstanding—this is still a written text. Write a clear direct argument to the "court" of your peers.

The Troilus and Cressida quote comes from Act I, scene III in Shakespeare's play (or is available online at http://www.bartleby.com/70/3513.html).

"Letter from a Birmingham Jail"

Draft #1-1 (draft #1 of Essay #1) Guideance:
Spend some time writing/listing what you think defines just/unjust--moral/immoral actions. How much does CONTEXT enter into your determination? Again in written/listing form, focus on the actions of two of the play's characters--chart them out. From here, focus on one character and dig deeper. I strongly suggest that you reread the play or sections of the play that are important. Scratch down any ideas that come to you or evidence for your ideas that you find. After you have done this preliminary thinking, scan your notes one last time and put them away. Then sit down and write without stopping (as much as you can) for 20-30 minutes on your topic. State the Essay Question you have chosen and write your answer without looking to notes or the text. I encourage you not to write this as if you were performing the essay; write instead as a dialogue with yourself about the topic and your thinking on the topic.

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