Comparison Of Heroism In Voltaires Candide - 895 Words

While most of society define heroism as a person who saves lives, people with heroism show bravery and opposition to society or its laws. In Sophocles’ Greek tragedy Antigone, King Creon defies his society’s laws for his own self pride while in Voltaire’s novel Candide, a young boy breaks his uncle’s rule to fulfill his desires. Both characters challenge their society’s laws and take a stand against the flawed principles; however, should people consider Creon and Candide as heroes? Individuals do not have an obligation to challenge laws due to the fact that it leads to multiple deaths and the suffering of themselves or of others. Individuals should not challenge laws if it will lead to violence and multiple deaths. Examples of this occur†¦show more content†¦Until Creon follows the simple burial rites, numerous misfortunes, including the deaths of his loved ones, will occur as a result of his actions. One may think that Creon must challeng e the Gods because Antigone challenges his laws; however, fear of the Gods and guilt motivate Antigone to defy Creon. Antigone’s defiance does not lead to the deaths of others because she defies an individual who did not follow the law, while Creon’s disobedience ends in violence. Likewise, individuals who do challenge laws may cause suffering for themselves or for others. In the short story Candide by Voltaire, a joyful child named Candide has noble status and gains his happiness through his pride of having more wealth and treasures than the peasants. In the story, Candide â€Å"as innocently kissed the young lady’s hand with particular vivacity, sensibility, and grace[†¦][The] Baron [†¦] chased Candide away.† Candide believes he could obtain all of the desires he yearns for, but his disobedience to the Baron’s rules causes the Baron to force him to leave the castle and never see his lover again. The passage conveys a tone of innocence a nd purity until the Baron kicks Candide out of the castle, which then conveys a tone of regret and guilt. The shift of tone symbolizes how Candide loses his innocence because of his prideful nature and disobedience to the Baron. In addition, the young lady â€Å"was boxed on the ears by the Baroness†¦ and all was consternation in this†¦