Ruth and Antigone: A Different Kind of Hero

There are those who cannot understand how certain women in history can be considered heroes. These women did not take up a sword and kill everyone to prove their strength, like the warrior, Achilles did. They also never lead an army to overthrow an opposing, evil tyrant, like so many of history’s proclaimed heroes have done. Some of the purest heroes are the gentle, quiet, women sitting in the background. They might not do much to affect many people, but they stand up for what they believe in no matter what. In this respect, they can be categorized with modern day heroes like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and all who have stood firmly for what they believe in. The characters, Antigone and Ruth, are both perfect examples of the modest, female heroes in history, and their heroism can be related to each other in many different ways.

However, before one can analyze their heroism and actions, they must first be familiar with the lives of both women. Ruth’s story is about a woman and the family she married into. A man who lived in Moab, named Elimelech, was married to Naomi, and had two sons, Mahlon and Kilion. Unfortunately, Elimelch suddenly passed away, and left Naomi to raise her sons. When they became old enough, the two were married, one to a woman named Orpah, and the other to Ruth. However, Mahlon and Kilion die, and left Naomi and her two daughters-in-law to fend for themselves. Naomi decided to go back to her hometown of Bethlehem, and encouraged Orpah and Ruth to return to their, “mother's home, (365)” and look for another husband. Orpah decided to heed her advice, but Ruth, who still felt she was devoted and accountable for her mother-in-law, insisted she travel and live with Naomi back in Bethlehem (NIV 365-366).