antigone

            In the play Apology by Plato, the protagonist Socrates delineates the responsibilities and obligations of man in relation to the State. This same perspective is found in Sophocles" play Antigone where Antigone, the protagonist, goes against the State due to the moral obligation she has by the Gods to her family. This perspective of standing your ground when in the face of adversity led to the death of both Socrates and Antigone. However, by upholding their point of view, both Antigone and Socrates form a relation with each other that can be further examined.
             The opinions of Socrates in Apology can be easily applied to the conflicts and opinions in Antigone by Sophocles. Creon's actions are both supported and contested by the views of Socrates. Creon felt that he was acting justly by accusing Antigone. He believed that he was upholding the law and structure of the people by accusing Antigone. Creon viewed Polynices as a traitor. He viewed honoring a traitor as going against the State and the people in it. When Sentinel comes and tells Creon of the burial of Polynices, Creon acts accordingly. He treats it as a crime against the state, which is just. Creon questions Sentinel by asking " do you see Gods honouring the bad?" (Sophocles,12). This viewpoint is supported by Socrates. Socrates felt that the only question of concern when acting was whether or not the action is just. In this case, Creon's actions were partly just. This is because it is true that Antigone broke the law. This is the only viewpoint in which Socrates would have condemned Antigone.
             Just as there is a supporting view, there is also an opposing viewpoint that Socrates would have in relation to Creon's actions. Socrates believed that putting an innocent man (or in this case woman) to death was far worse than dying oneself. This is seen in his speech where he states, "I speak because I am convinced that I never intentionally wronged anyone," (Plato, 37).