Sophocles's Antigone : Breaking An Unjust Law

“...And justice for all” is the last line of the Pledge of Allegiance for the United States of America. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary the official definition for the term “justice” would be: the process or result of using laws to fairly judge and punish crimes and criminals. Creon has a very unique understanding of government, an unsuccessful search for justice, and learns about putting his pride before people he loves.

When moral laws and civil laws collide tragedy happens. People die because they are following there moral laws they break the laws for the people they love and don’t care about the consequences. Antigone tried to burry her brother because she didn’t think It was fair that the brother that was destroying the city didn’t got a proper burial and the one that was fighting for good did have a proper burial. In the book it say "but as for me, I will burry the brother I love" (192) Antigone I think Antigone is right for this because people will do anything for the ones they love. Anyone would brake the law if it was their own family member. However people shouldn’t be using that excuse for everything and not just break the laws and say they did it

One has the capability to determine from right and wrong and having the determination to stand up for what one believes in, no matter what the price is. In Sophocles’ Antigone, a written dramatic play, Sophocles portrays the theme that at times of one’s life, it is necessary to follow moral law and ignore political law. In the play, a determined and courageous woman named Antigone is loyal to her beloved brother by granting him a proper burial and having to suffer the consequences for revolting. Throughout Antigone, several incidents occurred where the political law was of no importance to the individual. Conflicts between Antigone and Ismene and then with Creon and Antigone are examples of the theme. The theme also ties with the

Sophocles’ play “Antigone” illustrates the conflict between obeying human and divine law. The play opens after Oedipus’ two sons Eteocles and Polyneices have killed each other in a civil war for the throne of Thebes. Oedipus’ brother in law Creon then assumes the throne. He dictates that Eteocles shall receive a state funeral and honors, while Polyneices shall be left in the streets to rot away. Creon believes that Polyneices’ body shall be condemned to this because of his civil disobedience and treachery against the city. Polyneices’ sister, Antigone, upon hearing this exclaims that an improper burial for Polyneices would be an insult to the Gods. She vows that Polyneices’ body will be buried, and Creon declares that anyone who

Standing for what you believe in and know what's right and wrong is important . In the play, Antigone, Sophocles demonstrates that through the conflict of the character. The play is a well-known tragic drama about the conflict between Antigone and her uncle Creon who is king of Thebes.Both character have different believes, idea and opinions regarding divine law and civil law. In Antigone the author Sophocles demonstrates the how important one's moral beliefs is, through the actions of the characters and how the beliefs impact the outcome of the play.The conflict between civil and divine law through Antigone and Creon, shows the important one's beliefs and how it impacts the outcome of the play. A reader can Identifying which law is more important in the play by looking at how the laws impact the characters and the outcome of the play. Both Antigone and Creon go at it expressing each others believes and whether one is right or wrong.Throughout the play civil law is more significant and powerful.

Disobedience always comes with a reason, some do it to go against something that is wrong others do it for attention or because they do not care about the situation. When there is an unjust law that is putting someone down or is oppressing it, people will begin to go against the law and not stand around while everyone including themselves gets hurt. Just Laws are to help and to keep everyone safe and unjust laws are made for minorities to stay away from the high-class group who want nothing with them. Sadly today there are still unjust laws to put people down but they are not standing around to let it happen. Martin Luther King could not watch his brothers and sisters be constantly put down so he went against unjust laws to stand his grounds. Antigone shared similarities when she went against king Creon rules rule to not bury her brother Polyneicês, she knew the consequences but paid no minds and stood her ground and kept doing what she has planned to do.

Antigone in Antigone by Sophocles desires justice for her brother but her quest for honor of her brother`s body is obstructed by the king of Thebes Creon. There are multiple problems with the way her mission is handled and how a current audience may react to it. Today the concept of divinity, democracy and rights are drastically varied to those of ancient Greece.

In the play Antigone, written by Sophocles, King Creon created a law that denied proper burial rites to anyone who invaded or betrayed the city of Thebes. Antigone defied this law by burying her brother, Polynices, after he was harshly accused of being a traitor. Both Creon and Antigone showed a tenacious passion toward their perception of justice, unwilling to accept that honoring the law and honoring the individual conscience were both justified in different ways. The stubbornness that they shared led them both to meet their downfalls, which conveyed the idea that being too proud to accept guidance from others ultimately leads to dire consequences.

What do people do when their personal beliefs conflict with the laws of their society? Most people have their own opinions in relation to the laws placed in their society. Whether one supports or opposes a law due to their personal beliefs coming into conflict with it, the person has the decision to do something or to do nothing. Within the ancient Greek play Antigone by Sophocles, multiple characters had to chose if they should do something about an unjust law that went against their person beliefs; the law enacted made it illegal to bury Polyneices, a previous partial-ruler that tried to retake the throne of Thebes. The consequence of breaking the law was death by stoning. Most decided to follow the law in fear of Creon, the King of Thebes, and their belief to follow the laws of society regardless if it was moral or not. However, there was one brave enough to break the law because it went against their personal beliefs; this person was Antigone, Polyneices’ niece. Antigone believed this law was unjust and unsacred to do so, for the people of Thebes had strong beliefs in their gods. To connect, the ancient play Antigone as well as modern controversial issues in the world today, both have a related underlying argument: When people feel their personal beliefs are in conflict with the laws of their society, most of the time they will defy authority, protest and/or simply follow the law.

Throughout history, many people have broken the law either on purpose or by accident. If it is done on purpose, others around them usually ponder the reason for it and what influenced that person to do so because it would seem so bizarre to go against authority. In the meantime, they themselves start questioning the law and if it is fair or not. Those who have broken the law may also explain the reason behind it and what their purpose was. In real life circumstances, many people have broken the law for a good cause. Whether it is by standing up to their government or to those who were in authority, they were not afraid to challenge their opinions. Similarly, in the play Antigone by Sophocles, the protagonist herself broke a law by burying

Everyone has been guilty of some type of wrong in their lifetime, whether it was cheating on a test, lying, or not listening to someone when they are told to do something. Even those considered heroes are guilty of doing wrong and in this essay, the play Antigone by Sophocles will be analyzed. The play takes place in Thebes in 441 B.C. In the play, Antigone buries her brother, Polyneices, who Creon decreed to not bury. Creon then finds out about what Antigone did and punishes her “even though she claimed” to have done the will of the gods. I will explain how each character was guilty of doing something wrong. Transition, Antigone was put on trial for burying Polyneices, however, Antigone, Creon, and the gods are all guilty of doing some type

If you were to do something wrong would you admit it even if your pride was at stake? Sophocles, a classical Greek playwright, shows in the play Antigone that “The only crime is pride.” Since a person who has too much pride often doesn’t accept the mistakes that they make and thus doesn’t fix them. As seen in many current world events, it is better to accept your wrong doings than adamantly disapproving them. I believe that Sophocles's argument that “the only crime is pride” is correct. Because Sophocles correctly states that constantly disapproving your mistakes and failing to fix those mistakes is selfish and vain. From many literary works, personal daily experiences, and other people's views, it is seen in how Sophocles perfectly deduces how pride can be seen as a crime.

In Ancient Greece, new ideals surfaced as answers to life's complicated questions. These new beliefs were centered on the expanding field of science. Man was focused on more than the Gods or heavenly concerns. A government that was ruled by the people was suggested as opposed to a monarchy that had existed for many years. Freedom of religion was encouraged in city-states. These new ideals, though good in intentions, often conflicted with each other creating complex moral dilemmas. Such was the case in Antigone, a play written by Sophocles during this era of change. In the play, Antigone and Creon battle a philosophical war exemplifying the conflict existing in the Greek ideals.

The strange thing about society is that it is unacceptable for a person to kill another, yet it is considered acceptable to retaliate to this action, and others crimes, with the consequence of execution. In Antigone, many people had realized this flaw and felt it that it was wrong to kill Antigone for defying Creon’s orders. The play Antigone, written by Sophocles, is based off a decree created by King Creon that anyone who attempts to bury the body of Polyneices, the brother of Antigone, will be put to death. Antigone disobeys this decree out of loyalty to her family and is sentenced to die. The death penalty should not a form of criminal punishment because it is ineffective.

Sophocles lived in Athens, the most progressive city-state at the time. Athenian society was ruled by a king who enforced laws interlaced with divine ideals. The king acted as a bridge that conveyed divine ideals and monitored society’s compliance. If a law was broken, a harsh punishment-- often exile -- was to follow. Sophocles wrote the play Antigone in the midst of a revolution in Ancient Greece. Around 500 B.C., radical thinkers sparked a movement that challenged the way government was run (Hammer 109). A change was required after the monarchy became corrupted by tyranny as the king claimed more control and gave less control to the common people and the gods. In order to create a balanced society, the first democracy was created in Athens around 450 B.C. The new system of government did not run smoothly from the start, however. Persons of high status including the king and his nobles wished to continue ruling with absolute power while the radicals fought to end corruption. Many years of tumult would follow as the conflict between divine and human law persisted. Sophocles demonstrates the conflict of divine versus human law in the play Antigone as the characters defy laws that bring upon them serious consequences.