What Is Legal Is Not Always Just

The concept of a complex explicit relationship between law and justice is apparent in both “Antigone,” and Martin Luther King’s “Letter”. They indicate that what is legal is not always just. The abusive relationship of power within a condescending government contributes an immoral value that negatively affects the well being of a society, or population as a whole. The authors provide clear evidence in both readings that supports the concept, “what is legal is not always just”. The concept of justification among immoral relationships and values develop a persuasive argument explaining the cons of immoral actions and unjust laws within a hierarchical embraced society.

“Antigone” emphasizes a moral and religious systematic relationship of laws that were primarily based on the ideas and beliefs of the “Greek Gods”. The main ruler, Creon, laid the foundation of the laws for his followers within their kingdom. Creon was a very stubborn ruler and when a decision was made, it wasn’t to be challenged or overthrown. However, Anitgone’s moral beliefs ultimately surpassed the ruling of Creons immoral decision.

Antigone’s reasoning of how her brother, “Polynices” should enter the after life by a proper burial was a moral value that would ultimately carry her to the grave. Creon made the decision to let the body of Polynice’s be left out to rot in an unforgiving world. Antigone tried to justify the fact of Creon’s immoral decision by leaving the castle one night and tried to bury Polynices. When Creon found out from the guard that she left to burry Polynices body he was outraged. Antigone then willingly confronted Creon explaining how Polynices should receive a proper burial and that she was the one that tried to bury him. Creon was outraged by Antigone’s actions and refused to grant the request. Creon sends her to jail where she writes a letter stating, "Forgive me, my darling. You would all have been so happy except for Antigone.”(Antigone).

Antigone’s decision to kill herself left Creon all alone in his kingdom and represented the willingness of an individual to prove a point of what she so highly believed was morally correct; Even if the supported evidence leads to the extent of a character’s death, one must willingly be able to consider others opinions and beliefs about morals. Creon lacked the importance of moral values when he made the decision to let Polynices body rot. Antigone was faced with a decision to weather let Creon’s rule continue with his immoral decisions, or prove a point by sacrificing her own life as an example towards others around her. Antigones death might not have justified a Kings decision to overthrow the beliefs and laws that were derived from the Greek gods, but a person’s willingness to die for stating a moral point will always be justified with an immense statement. This extreme result of moral vs. immoral values allows other individuals within a society to become influenced by an one important individual’s decision. The author provides evidence with the following of Haemon’s and Eurydice’s self-willing death, thus following the beliefs of Antigone.

Martin Luther Kings “Letter”, Martin Luther King also emphasizes a moral and religious systematic relationship of laws that were primarily based on the ideas and beliefs of the “The Bible”. Martin Luther King was jailed in Birmingham, Alabama after being arrested for allowing and leading a protest in the town for the reform of segregation laws.

Martin Luther King explains throughout his letter that just laws positively influence an individual’s personality and actions, while unjust laws degrade it. He states, “A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law” (MLK