Kara Sears
In Sophocles' tragedy, Antigone, the titular character defies her uncle, Creon, and the new king of Thebes, by burying her brother, Polynices, despite Creon's decree that the traitor's body should be left unburied and preyed upon by animals. Antigone's devotion to her brother and her loyalty to the Gods led her to prioritise divine law over mortal law, stating that the will of the Gods is stronger than the words of any man. This act of civil disobedience resulted in her punishment and death sentence by Creon, who believed that obedience to the law was non-negotiable.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for burying her brother | Out of devotion and loyalty to her family and the Gods |
| Divine law | All beings in death must be buried |
| Mortal law | Creon issues a law that prevents Polyneices from getting a proper burial |
| Punishment for breaking mortal law | Anyone who buries Polyneices' body will be stoned to death |
| Antigone's punishment | Imprisoned in a tomb meant for the dead to await her death sentence |
| Creon's punishment | The Gods punish Thebes by refusing their sacrifices and prayers |
| Polyneices' crime | Committed treason against his own city |
| Polyneices' fate | Not to receive a proper burial, but to lie unburied on the battlefield |
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What You'll Learn
Antigone's devotion to her brother and the Gods
Antigone's devotion to her brother Polyneices and her loyalty to the Gods are central to the plot of Sophocles' play, "Antigone". Antigone's brother, Polyneices, is killed in a civil war for the Theban throne against his brother Eteocles. Creon, the new ruler of Thebes, declares that Polyneices will not receive a proper burial because he committed treason. Creon issues a law that prevents Polyneices from getting a proper burial, and anyone who buries the body will be punished or stoned to death.
Antigone, who feels she must bury her dead brother under divine law, decides to bury him. She strongly believes in the divine law that all beings in death must be buried. Antigone's loyalty to her brother and her devotion to the Gods solidify her conviction to bury her brother, even if it means facing death. She believes that honouring the Gods and their laws is more critical than any mortal law. Antigone states that state law is not absolute and can be broken in extreme cases, such as honouring the Gods.
Antigone's devotion to her brother is also evident in her refusal to let his body be eaten by animals and destroyed. She is portrayed as a heroine who recognizes her familial duty. Antigone wanted to ensure her brother received a proper burial, so he could have a good afterlife. She was willing to risk her life to honour her brother and uphold the laws of the Gods.
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Creon's decree and its implications
Creon, the new ruler of Thebes, issues a decree that forbids anyone from burying Polyneices, Antigone's brother, who is deemed a traitor to the city. Creon's decree states that Polyneices' body will lie unburied on the battlefield, left to be preyed upon by animals—the harshest punishment at the time. Anyone who attempts to bury Polyneices will face death.
Creon's decree directly contradicts the divine law of the Gods, who, according to Antigone, demand that all beings, regardless of their actions in life, be buried. Antigone's strong belief in this divine law and her devotion to her family lead her to defy Creon's decree and bury her brother. She believes that honouring the Gods and her familial duties are more important than any mortal law.
The implications of Creon's decree extend beyond the conflict with Antigone. The prophet Tiresias warns Creon that his edict is against the Gods' will, but Creon defends his actions and insults the prophet. This act of hubris leads to his punishment, as the Gods later punish Thebes by refusing their sacrifices and prayers.
Creon's decree and its enforcement highlight the theme of pride in the play. Creon's pride and unwavering commitment to his decree lead to his downfall, as he loses his son Haemon, Antigone's fiancé, who commits suicide over Antigone's death. Ultimately, Creon's decree and its consequences serve as a tragic reminder of the dangers of placing mortal law above divine law and the importance of balancing strict justice with mercy.
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Civil disobedience and the role of the state
In Sophocles' play 'Antigone', the titular character defies the law of Thebes and her uncle, King Creon, to bury the body of her brother, Polynices. Creon had decreed that Polynices, who had committed treason against Thebes, would not receive a proper burial and would instead lie unburied on the battlefield, prey for carrion animals—the harshest punishment at the time. Antigone's decision to bury her brother was driven by her devotion to her family and her loyalty to the Gods, as she believed that their divine law took precedence over any mortal law. This act of civil disobedience led to her punishment and eventual death.
Civil disobedience refers to the intentional violation of laws, policies, or commands of a state or government out of a belief that they are unjust or immoral. It is often characterized by nonviolent resistance and a willingness to accept the legal consequences of one's actions. In the context of Antigone's story, her actions serve as a direct challenge to the authority of the state, represented by King Creon. By prioritizing her religious and familial duties over the decrees of the king, Antigone demonstrates a fundamental tension between individual conscience and state authority.
The role of the state, as embodied by Creon, is to establish and enforce laws that maintain order and stability within society. Creon believes that obedience to the law is paramount, regardless of personal opinions or sentiments. In his view, the law is the guarantor of personal happiness and peace in the city. He argues that there is nothing worse than disobedience to authority and that those who break the law must be punished. Creon's insistence on upholding the law, even in the face of opposition, reflects his understanding of the state's role in ensuring compliance and deterring future transgressions.
However, Antigone's act of civil disobedience calls into question the absolute authority of the state. She asserts that state law is not infallible and can be justifiably broken in extreme cases, such as when it conflicts with divine law or deeply held moral beliefs. Antigone's willingness to risk her life to bury her brother suggests that there are limits to the state's power over individual conscience. She believes that honoring the Gods and fulfilling her familial duties outweigh her allegiance to the state, even if it means facing severe consequences.
The consequences of Antigone's actions further highlight the complex dynamics between the individual and the state. While Antigone is punished for her disobedience, her actions also bring about a form of change. Creon's initial refusal to bury Polynices and his harsh punishment of Antigone ultimately lead to his own downfall. The Gods punish Thebes by refusing their sacrifices and prayers, symbolizing the rottenness of a city ruled by a man who places himself above divine law. Creon's insistence on upholding the letter of the law, without considering the higher moral principles at stake, results in his tragic downfall.
In conclusion, the story of Antigone and her forbidden act of burying her brother illustrates the complex dynamics between civil disobedience and the role of the state. Antigone's defiance challenges the absolute authority of the state, asserting that individual conscience and higher moral laws can supersede state mandates. The state, as represented by Creon, seeks to maintain order and stability through strict adherence to the law, yet it is precisely this unwavering commitment that leads to its undoing. Antigone's story serves as a powerful reminder that the relationship between the individual and the state is nuanced, and that true justice may sometimes lie beyond the confines of legal codes.
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The question of honouring family
Antigone, the main heroine of Sophocles’ play, buries her brother, Polyneices, despite it being forbidden by Creon, the current king of Thebes. Antigone's motivation to defy Creon's decree stems from her devotion and loyalty to both her family and the Gods. She strongly believes in the divine law that all beings in death must be buried and that honouring the Gods is more critical than any mortal law. This loyalty to her brother and the Gods solidifies her conviction to bury him, even at the cost of her own life.
Antigone's brother, Polyneices, was deemed a traitor by Creon, who ordered that his body was not to be sanctified by holy rites and was to lie unburied, prey to carrion animals—the harshest punishment at the time. This decree directly opposed the divine law of the Gods and caused turmoil among the people of Thebes. Antigone, driven by her sense of familial duty and honour, felt that her brother deserved respect and a proper burial. She prioritised her morals and the honouring of her family above the risk of facing death.
Antigone's sister, Ismene, represents those with a commitment to both divine and mortal laws. She wants to bury her brother according to divine law but fears the consequences of defying Creon's edict. Antigone, on the other hand, embodies intense divine devotion, prioritising her religious beliefs over mortal laws. She is portrayed as brave and stubborn, willing to face death to uphold her beliefs and honour her brother.
Creon, as the ruler of Thebes, values obedience to the law above all else. He believes that maintaining political order and peace in the city depend on the people's adherence to his rules. By placing himself on par with the Gods, he angers them and causes doubt among his people. Creon's refusal to bury Polyneices and his punishment of Antigone ultimately lead to his own downfall, as the Gods punish Thebes by refusing their sacrifices and prayers.
Antigone's decision to bury her brother, despite the risk of severe punishment, underscores the importance she places on honouring her family and upholding her moral and religious beliefs. She is willing to face the consequences, including death, to ensure her brother receives a proper burial and both of them a good afterlife. This act of defiance against Creon's decree becomes a powerful statement about civil disobedience and the limits of state law in the face of divine law.
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The punishment and fate of Antigone
In Sophocles' tragedy 'Antigone', Antigone, the daughter of Oedipus, defies the decree of her uncle, Creon—the new ruler of Thebes—and buries the body of her brother, Polynices. Polynices, who had committed treason against his city, was denied a proper burial by Creon, who stated, "He is to have no grave, no burial, no mourning from anyone; it is forbidden." Creon further proclaimed that anyone who attempted to bury Polynices would be put to death.
Antigone, driven by her devotion to her family and the Gods, felt it was her duty to bury her brother. She believed that honoring the Gods and their divine law, which mandated that all beings in death must be buried, was more important than any mortal law. She stated, "He has no right to keep me from my own," and "There is nothing worse than disobedience to authority." Despite warnings from her sister, Ismene, and the potential consequences, Antigone was steadfast in her decision.
Upon discovering Antigone's actions, Creon sentenced her to death. He ordered that she be entombed alive, left to starve in a cave meant for the dead. Antigone's fiancé, Haemon (Creon's son), pleaded for her release, but Creon remained unmoved, stating that "the law is more powerful." Antigone ultimately chose to hang herself within the tomb, perhaps as a means to escape the cruel death decreed by Creon.
Creon's refusal to bury Polynices and his punishment of Antigone led to his own downfall. Tiresias, the prophet, warned Creon that his actions had transgressed against the will of the Gods, but Creon's pride and defense of his edict constituted his sin. As a result, he suffered terrible calamities, including the death of his son, Haemon, who committed suicide over his lost love for Antigone.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Antigone was forbidden by Creon, the new king and ruler of Thebes, to bury her brother, Polynices, who was deemed a traitor.
Polynices was deemed a traitor by Creon for committing treason against his own city, leading an army against Thebes.
Antigone defied the law out of devotion and loyalty to her brother and the Gods. She believed that the will of the Gods was stronger than the laws of man and that her brother deserved a proper burial.
Antigone was arrested and sentenced to death by Creon. She was sent to a cave/tomb to await her death. Antigone ultimately took her own life.
