Antigone's Actions: Lawful Or Lawless?

Antigone is an Athenian tragedy written by Sophocles in 441 BC. It tells the story of a young woman, Antigone, who openly defies her uncle and the King of Thebes, Creon's edict, to bury her recently deceased brother, Polynices. Polynices is deemed a traitor to the state and Creon declares that he will not receive a proper burial. Antigone, unwavering in her belief in divine law, chooses to bury her brother, an act that is punishable by death. Antigone is caught in the act and imprisoned, where she awaits execution. She does not deny what she has done and argues with Creon about the immorality of his edict and the morality of her actions.

Antigone's actions and fate bring to light the complex conflict between human law and the law of God. Antigone's courage to challenge authority evokes intense sympathy and admiration from the audience, and she emerges as a heroine who presses forward with the conviction that she is right. This raises the question: did Antigone consider herself a law-breaker?

Antigone's beliefs about the law of the gods

Antigone's beliefs are rooted in her love of the gods and her fear for her brother's soul. The Greeks strongly believed in burial, as the divine gods proclaimed that a burial was necessary for entry to the underworld. Antigone is unwavering in her belief in divine law and is willing to face the consequences of defying Creon's edict. She sees Creon's law as a violation of the law of the gods and, therefore, cannot be respected.

Antigone's sense of justice is deeply rooted in her love of the gods. Their laws are hers, and so mortal law holds no claim to her conscience. She dubs Creon an arrogant sinner and a tyrant of nature, and so holds no respect or fear for his decree. She believes that human beings are imperfect, and so the laws made by a king are also imperfect; only divine laws are perfect.

Creon's beliefs about the law of the state

Creon, the ruler of Thebes, is a character in Sophocles' tragedy 'Antigone'. Creon's beliefs about the law of the state are complex and multifaceted.

Firstly, Creon views law as the guarantor of personal happiness and believes that law is necessary to protect the welfare of Thebes. He understands that a king should be kind and help others, and his love for his country motivates his actions. Creon also believes that the law must be obeyed, even if it is wrong, to avoid anarchy and chaos. He claims that his rule, as the maximum authority, must be obeyed and that his orders take precedence over any other considerations. This is exemplified by his response to Antigone's defiance, where he feels disrespected and embarrassed, especially since she is a woman going against his decree.

Creon's beliefs about the law are also influenced by his understanding of citizenship. By denying Polynices, Antigone's brother, a proper burial, Creon is essentially revoking his citizenship and placing him on the same level as foreign attackers. For Creon, citizenship is based on loyalty, and Polynices' treasonous actions have effectively revoked his citizenship rights.

Additionally, Creon's beliefs about the law are tied to his understanding of family and personal relationships. He demands obedience from his son, Haemon, and expects him to subordinate everything else to his father's will. Creon's emphasis on family loyalty, however, seems to contradict his actions towards Polynices, as he denies him a proper burial despite their familial relationship.

Creon also believes that his laws are equivalent to the word of the gods. He states, "there is nothing worse than disobedience to authority", placing a high value on obedience to the state's laws. He justifies his decree about Polynices' burial by arguing that Polynices is an enemy and a traitor to the city, and thus deserves to be shamed and dishonoured.

Lastly, Creon's beliefs about the law are influenced by his understanding of gender roles. He is insulted and angered that a woman, Antigone, has defied his law, as women were traditionally seen as servants in Ancient Greece. Creon's pride and refusal to listen to others, including his son and the prophet Tiresias, ultimately lead to his downfall as he loses his loved ones and is left a broken man.

The conflict between religious and secular law

Antigone, the brave and willful daughter of the former king, believes that her brother Polynices deserves a proper burial, despite his treason against the state. She defies the edict of her uncle, King Creon, who has decreed that Polynices' body shall be left unburied and exposed to the elements as punishment for his betrayal. Antigone's actions are driven by her deep faith in the divine law, which she believes supersedes human law. She argues that Creon's law violates the will of the gods and, therefore, cannot be respected.

On the other hand, Creon, the newly ascended king of Thebes, represents secular law and the power of the state. He views Polynices as a traitor and believes that denying him a proper burial is justified punishment. Creon's edict is an assertion of his authority as king, and he sees Antigone's defiance as a challenge to his rule. He refuses to yield, even when faced with the consequences of his decision, which include the deaths of his son, Haemon, and wife, Eurydice.

The conflict between Antigone and Creon is not just a clash of laws, but also a clash of moral and ethical beliefs. Antigone's actions are motivated by her religious duty and a sense of familial honour. She believes that the laws of the gods are perfect and must be obeyed, even if it means going against the state. Creon, on the other hand, represents the power of the state and the importance of upholding its laws, regardless of personal feelings. He values order and obedience above all else and is willing to go to extreme lengths to enforce his will.

The play does not provide a clear resolution to the conflict between religious and secular law. Antigone ultimately takes her own life rather than submit to Creon's authority, and Creon loses his loved ones due to his stubbornness and refusal to compromise. The tragedy highlights the complexities of this conflict, suggesting that there may be no easy reconciliation between the two types of law.

Antigone's courage and martyrdom

Antigone is a tragedy written by Sophocles in or before 441 BC. It is the story of a young woman, Antigone, who defies her uncle, King Creon's edict, to bury her brother Polynices' body. Polynices is deemed a traitor to the state and Creon has decreed that his body will not be sanctified by holy rites and will lie unburied, prey to animals—the harshest punishment at the time. Antigone's courage and martyrdom lie in her willingness to face the consequences of defying the king's edict and performing her brother's last rites.

Antigone's courage is evident in her unwavering belief in the Divine law and her determination to bury Polynices despite the risks involved. She knows that defying Creon's edict could lead to her death, yet she chooses to follow her religious beliefs and moral principles. Her courage is further highlighted in her confrontation with Creon, where she unflinchingly argues the immorality of his edict and the morality of her actions.

Antigone's martyrdom stems from her strong sense of justice and her deep love for the gods. She believes that her brother deserves a proper burial so that his soul can enter the underworld, as dictated by Divine law. Antigone's sense of justice is so strong that she is willing to die for it, considering herself a "martyr to her beliefs." She sees Creon as an arrogant sinner and a tyrant who sins against the gods, and thus holds no respect or fear for his authority.

In conclusion, Antigone's courage and martyrdom in the play "Antigone" lie in her willingness to defy King Creon's edict and perform her brother's last rites, despite knowing the potential consequences. Her strong sense of justice, rooted in her deep love for the gods, leads her to become a martyr for her beliefs. Her actions have far-reaching consequences, ultimately leading to the deaths of both Haemon and Eurydice. Antigone's courage and steadfastness in the face of adversity have made her a enduring symbol of courage and martyrdom in Western literature.

Creon's tyranny and political power

In Sophocles' tragedy *Antigone*, Creon is the ruler of Thebes and the brother of former Queen Jocasta. He is often regarded as a tyrant, with his rule demonstrating a number of tyrannical tendencies.

Firstly, Creon's rule is considered tyrannical due to his illegitimate rise to power. According to ancient Greek succession traditions, which favoured the mother's line, Antigone should have become the ruler of Thebes after the death of her brothers, Eteocles and Polynices, in civil war. Instead, Creon, as Jocasta's brother, assumes power, making him an illegitimate usurper.

Creon's tyrannical tendencies are further demonstrated through his relationship with society and the law. He combines himself and the established law into a single entity, demanding absolute obedience from his subjects. He believes that "defiance of the laws and defiance of those in power are equally reprehensible", and that disobedience is the prime civic vice. Creon's authoritarian nature is evident in his interactions with the Sentry, whom he threatens with violence and death for bringing him bad news.

Creon's rule also exhibits a lack of flexibility and an insistence on rigidity. He desires order and obedience and expects his son, Haemon, to react to eros as a soldier, standing fast with his comrades and resisting anything deemed bad for the city. Creon's erotic body has been tuned by his position as ruler, and he cannot understand why Haemon would want to marry Antigone. Creon's single-minded focus on the safety and security of the state leads him down a path towards isolation and fear rather than respect and love from his citizens.

Furthermore, Creon's tyrannical nature is reflected in his conflict with Antigone, who represents democratic philosophy. While Creon upholds autocratic rule, Antigone's actions can be seen as a form of civil disobedience, appealing to a higher law to justify breaking Creon's civil law.

Lastly, Creon's tyranny is also evident in his treatment of Polynices' body. By forbidding any burial whatsoever, Creon overreaches, as simply placing Polynices' body outside the city and forbidding burial inside would have been within tradition. This action demonstrates Creon's desire for control and his willingness to go against tradition and local laws to achieve his goals.

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