Kara Sears
Antigone, written by Greek playwright Sophocles, sees its protagonist Antigone break the law of a stubborn king when she buries her traitorous brother Polynices. Antigone argues that the law of God is superior to the law of the state, and that she must honour her dead brother at any cost. She believes that the divine law which commands women to perform funeral rites for family members is the most important law relevant to her case, and that she is obliged to obey it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Law broken | Human law |
| Divine law | |
| Law of the state | |
| Law of the Gods | |
| Law of Zeus | |
| Law of Creon | |
| Law of King Kreon | |
| Law of King Creon | |
| Antigone's reason for breaking the law | To bury her brother Polynices, a traitor who shouldn't be buried |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Antigone breaks the law of a stubborn king
In the play, written by Greek playwright Sophocles, Antigone's actions test the unjust laws of Creon. Antigone goes against these laws and takes matters into her own hands, ultimately choosing to follow divine law over human law. She argues that Creon's law is not that of the Gods, and therefore does not stand.
Creon wants to have Antigone killed for breaking his law, but his son is her fiancé. Antigone's actions in the play reflect themes of self-sacrifice, a thirst for justice, and hubris. She is loyal and independent, and her empathy while breaking the law shows that she is on the side of justice rather than blindly following the law.
Jesus and Secular Law: A Complex Relationship
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Antigone argues that the law of God is superior to the law of the state
Antigone, the protagonist of Sophocles' tragedy, breaks the law of a stubborn king by burying her traitorous brother Polynices. She argues that the law of God is superior to the law of the state. She believes that the divine law commanding women to perform funeral rites for family members is the most important law relevant to her case and that she is obliged to obey it. Antigone's empathy while breaking the law is clear when she says that the king's law is not that of the Gods, so it does not stand. She decides that the eternal laws of the gods are more important than the ephemeral decrees of a human ruler. Antigone is ultimately thwarted, but she is on the side of justice rather than blindly following the law.
How Raises Affect the Law of Restoring HP
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Antigone is on the side of justice rather than blindly following the law
Antigone breaks the law of a stubborn king when she buries her traitorous brother Polynices. She argues that the law of God is superior to the law of the state, and that she must honour her dead brother at any cost. She is on the side of justice rather than blindly following the law. Antigone says that the king's law is not that of the Gods, so it does not stand. She has no choice about breaking a law, but she decides that the eternal laws of the gods are more important than the ephemeral decrees of a human ruler.
Marriage and Law: Breaking Points?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Burial Ground [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91-VabjyXRL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Antigone breaks a recent human law put forth by Creon
Antigone's actions in breaking the law can be seen as a form of self-sacrifice and a thirst for justice. She is loyal and independent, and she goes against the rule to bury her brother because she thinks it is right, even though he has done many wrong things. Antigone is ultimately thwarted in her attempt to bury her brother, but she is on the side of justice rather than blindly following the law. She retaliates against Creon by saying that his law is not that of the Gods, so it does not stand. Creon wants to have Antigone killed, but his son is her fiancé.
Landrieu's Statue Removal: Lawful or Not?
You may want to see also
Antigone goes against the rule to bury her brother
Antigone is faced with a choice: to obey the divine law which commands women to perform funeral rites for family members, or to obey the human law put forth by Creon, which forbids the burial of traitors. Antigone argues that the law of God is superior to the law of the state and that she must answer to a higher law. She believes that she will suffer if she does not obey God's law, and that the eternal laws of the Gods are more important than the decrees of a human ruler.
Antigone's actions are an example of her loyalty and independence, and her belief that she is on the side of justice rather than blindly following the law.
Illegal Entry into the US: Understanding the Law and Consequences
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Antigone breaks a law put forth by Creon, a stubborn king, which forbids her from burying her brother Polynices, who is considered a traitor.
Antigone believes that the divine law of the Gods, which commands women to perform funeral rites for family members, is superior to the law of the state.
Antigone decides to bury her brother anyway, because she believes it is the right thing to do.
Antigone argues that Creon's law is not that of the Gods, so it does not stand.
