In a splendid kingdom such as Thebes, there are many laws and regulations that prevent the citizens from committing certain acts. One would certainly expect these laws to be for the common good of the people. However, the ambiguous laws made by Creon's government end up doing the complete opposite. This can be clearly seen thorough the character of Antigone. Antigone's loss of life is caused by ambiguous secular laws, which ironically prevent her from following the divine laws. .
Divine laws as George puts it, are the laws made by Gods, for the safety of the citizens. In Antigone the only character in Antigone, that seems to have the knowledge of these laws (23). Her knowledge is demonstrated when she goes alone to give a proper burial to her brother Polynices. And to justify her act, she asks a rhetorical question, "isn't a man's right to burial decreed by divine justice?" (Sophocles 31). The laws made her by her uncle Creon prevent her from doing the very same thing. However, Antigone, being the heroic character that she is, gives her brother Polynices a proper burial and makes sure that she follows the divine laws. This heavenly act (in her eyes) later causes her death. .
The death of Antigone is caused by secular laws, made by Creon and his government. Creon's unjust laws prevent any citizen from burying Polynices" body. In the beginning of the play Creon's character gives us an image that, he will make any laws, and do anything possible "to guard the people of Thebes." (Segal 18). However, ironically as it can be seen, these unmerited laws of Creon do everything but the opposite of protecting Thebans. As they cause the death of royal family and the entire kingdom opposes the laws. Therefore, these laws are "elemental tendencies," made to control, and protect the lives of the "superficial" citizens (Melchinger 49). .
This contrast between secular and divine law, causes Antigone's death.
This type of conflict is shown in Antigone an helps present the character traits of the antagonist, Antigone. ... Antigone was also very strong minded. ... Antigone was also very strong willed. ... Antigone chooses to defy this law. ... Antigone believes that Ismene is a coward while Ismene believes that Antigone is foolish. ...
Antigone stands poised at the river separating herself from civil disobedience. ... Antigone's unrepressed emotions give voice to her dissatisfaction with Creon's dictum. ... Antigone's morals render her unable to see her tragic flaw. ... Antigone impels Creon by defying his order, and seals the fate of her life. ... Antigone's convictions bear a burden on her that she is not strong enough to lift. ...
In the play, "Antigone," the main character Antigone goes against all authority in an effort to give her brother, Polynices, a proper burial. ... Antigone has no respect for authority. ... Antigone also claims, "What Creon says is quite irrelevant" ( ln 4). Thus, Antigone does not respect government or Creon as a sovereign. ... "We can't live by Antigone's alone, but if we have no Antigones within us we are spiritually barren" (Cornell). ...
Later in the act, the Sentry enters again, this time with Antigone. ... Creon asks Antigone if this is true. ... Creon aims to justify his decision to let Antigone's dead brother rot. He also wishes to validate his choice to punish Antigone. ... I believe Antigone's act was morally correct. ...
Pride is part of what makes Antigone heroic. ... This is between Antigone and Polyneices. ... Antigone doesn't mind doing anything on her own. ... Antigone has no problem working by her self either. ... I think Creon feels he must defeat Antigone because she is a woman. ...
In Antigone, by Sophocles, Antigone is the tragic hero of the play, rather than Creon. ... Sophocles wants us to see Antigone as the tragic figure. ... He can either kill Antigone, or spare her life. ... Antigone is in a different position. ... Antigone chooses wisely in defying the law. ...
However, in the play Antigone, Antigone goes against the beliefs and defies the powerful tradition of male domination. In the play, Antigone's life was filled with pain and sorrow. ... Even after all of this, Antigone had even more pain to deal with. ... Antigone didn't fear death, but instead faced it with great bravery and strength. ... That is why Antigone is such an influential character in the play. ...
The Antigone Essay Through "Antigone", the play, Sophocles lets it be known that family is more important than authority. ... Antigone felt awful that Creon was doing such a wrong thing. ... Antigone took a moral stand and buried Polyneices. ... Antigone was Haemon's true love. Haemon committed suicide once he lost Antigone. ...
Antigone is not from a normal family. Her family feels very strong in what they believe in. Especially Antigone and Creon. Antigone did things that other people wouldn't normally do. Some people wouldn't defy authority to do what they believe is right. Creon did things that people wouldn't do. I thi...
Bigger than her body Antigone was right, yet so was Creon. ... However Antigone defied the king. ... The gods sided with Antigone. ... Creon is protagonist against Antigone, who is the antagonist; at the same time, Antigone is the protagonist with Creon as her antagonist. Antigone's actions were justified by divine law. ...
