Meaning of this quote?

Question

What does this quote mean? How do I discuss teh following quotation in relation to Antigone?


"The tyrant dies and his rule ends, the martyr dies and his rule begins."
-Kierkegaard

Answer 1

Well what i make of the quote is that a tyrant may rule while he is alive, however, once his reign ends or say he dies, there is no respect left for him and his rule (leaving the painful and tyrannical rule that may have prevailed) ends as well. However, if a martyr dies his sacrifice is something that is praised forever and his rule in terms of importance and respect in the lives of others begins. One can not command respect with fear and tyranny. Though respect is something that is there for all warriors, however, the way a tyrant commands it is different than the manner in which a martyr gets it. One can not command respect with fear and tyranny.
To put it simply when a tyrant dies it is more so like good riddance rather than that of a martyr.
I havent read Antigone so can not relate it there, hope this answers your query.

Answer 2

No one likes a tyrant, so when he dies, that's it, people forget him and move on. But a martyr dies for a cause or a specific principle hopefully in order to start something, like a revolution. Antigone was a martyr, right?

Answer 3

I think its saying that when a tyrant or dictator dies, people are freed from his oppression and will no longer continue following the rule he forced upon them. However, when a martyr dies people believe his teachings more than ever because he was willing to sacrifice his very life for the beliefs and practices he lived for. Think of Hitler's death versus that of Jesus. When Hitler died the genocide of non-Aryans ended and his belief in Aryan superiority is almost unsupported today. On the other hand, look at the death of Jesus. More people than ever believed his teachings. When Hitler died his rule ended, when Jesus died his rule began. Hope that helps.

Answer 4

A tyrant rules by force of presence. By fear. When he dies people are not going to fear him therefore no one will need to follow his laws.

A martyr rules through the inspiration of their sacrifice. When people see what they were willing to suffer for their cause others willingly follow that example, rather than being forced into it through fear. It's all about free-will vs. coercion.

Answer 5

ahh, antigone, how i hated that book.

anyways, it simply means that when a tyrant, say, adolf hitler, dies, he is remembered, but he has no power, nobody misses him.
when someone such as martin luther king dies because of what he believes in, then he is remembered and his beliefs go on to change nations.
a tyrant's rule ends, but the martyr lives on.

Answer 6

A tyrant is someone who rules through fear and torture, therefore when he dies his rule ends....A martyr rules through kindness and compassion so his name will be remembered even after his death and therefore his "rule begins"

Answer 7

I haven't read Antigone. Do u have a pdf version? If u have would u mail it to me?

Answer 8

The martyr's influence is eternal, and is seen only from afar.

Answer 9

Hey do your own homework!