Antigone Essay

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into much greater detail about mankind’s takeover of nature than Heaney and Fitzgerald. However, just like Heaney and Fitzgerald, she does not go over the importance of how mankind had reached godlike levels in their achievements.

3. Seamus Heaney likely shortened the poem to just include the most important details and points. His translation only mentions a few of mankind’s achievements rather than the glorification of many achievements in the ode. He also mentions the despise of those whose wishes go against the state. The translation is a condensed version of the most important aspects of the ode.

It’s relevance to modern society is in the debate of what should be done over beggars. There is a great debate in the U.S. now of how to handle issues such as welfare programs, illegal immigration, and more global issues such as the Syrian refugees. Many conservatives support the abolishment of welfare, the complete shutdown and deportation of illegal immigrants, and rejecting all refugees. On the other hand, liberals support welfare programs, want to give illegal immigrants jobs, and want to allow refugees into the country. These debates can be quite controversial. For example, some people cheat the system and gain welfare benefits when they don’t need to. However, it gives those who can not support their family, enough to survive. Illegal immigrants often take jobs from Americans thereby making the economy suffer. On the other, mass deportation would be unrealistic and expensive (as well as tighter border patrol) and there is debate of what to do with children of immigrants and other such things. The Syrian refugee issue is also quite controversial. The massive influx of people would be a burden to the people of America as well as the economy, it is also difficult to distinguish which Syrian refugees are terrorists and which are peaceful. Many others argue that is an important American ideal to let those in need to be helped in this country. They also believe it is a good thing to do as a human being. So the line that they would turn their backs from beggars (“When he comes begging we will turn our backs”) is relevant to modern society about whether beggars should be turned away or accepted and given the help they need.

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