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You are the king no doubt, but in one respect, at least, I…

“You are the king no doubt, but in one respect, at least, I am your equal: the right to reply. I claim that privilege too. I am not your slave. I serve Apollo. I don't need Creon to speak for me in public. So, you mock my blindness? Let me tell you this. You with your precious eyes, you're blind to…” quote by Robert Fagles
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““You are the king no doubt, but in one respect, at least, I am your equal: the right to reply. I claim that privilege too. I am not your slave. I serve Apollo. I don't need Creon to speak for me in public. So, you mock my blindness? Let me tell you this. You with your precious eyes, you're blind to the corruption in your life, to the house you live in, those you live with- who are your parents? Do you know? All unknowing you are the scourge of your own flesh and blood, the dead below the earth and the living here above, and the double lash of your mother and your father's curse will whip you from this land one day, their footfall treading you down in terror, darkness shrouding your eyes that now can see the light! Soon, soon, you'll scream aloud - what haven won't reverberate? What rock of Cithaeron won't scream back in echo? That day you learn the truth about your marriage, the wedding-march that sang you into your halls, the lusty voyage home to the fatal harbor! And a crowd of other horrors you'd never dream will level you with yourself and all your children. There. Now smear us with insults - Creon, myself and every word I've said. No man will ever be rooted from the earth as brutally as you.””

Robert Fagles

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A speaker asserts equality and the right to speak, condemning blindness to moral corruption and warning of inevitable downfall.

In simple terms: Speak up for truth despite oppression.

Key Takeaway

Demand voice and confront corruption.

Themes

justice power family myth rebellion

Mood

defiant urgent

Type

dramatic philosophical

When to use this quote

  • family disputes
  • political oppression
  • personal betrayal
  • public speaking

Key Concepts

Moral authority tragic destiny political critique

Questions to Reflect On

  • Who in your life needs to hear this truth?
  • How can you safely challenge authority?
A Different Perspective

The dramatic tone may obscure practical solutions.

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