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Conformism In Antigone

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What would happen if humankind had to choose between God or the government? Many will rely on their culture, beliefs, preferences, and character to find the answer. In Antigone, Antigone defies the law of the king to satisfy herself and the gods. In Sophocles’ tragedy Antigone, he develops the theme of divine law preceding the statutory law. He accomplishes this by building the conflict between Antigone and Ismene, Antigone defying Creon, and Creon battling his tragic flaw. To begin, Sophocles establishes the opposing views of conformist Ismene and non-conformist Antigone. In Thebes, after the death of Polynices and Eteocles, Antigone and Ismene have a fight over their brother's burial. Antigone believes that Polyneices deserves a burial to get him to eternal peace with the gods. Meanwhile, Ismene believes that they should obey King Creon’s law and leave him unburied because he was a traitor. “But I (Antigone) will bury him, and if I must die, I say that this crime is holy.” Ismene responds, “I have no strength to break the laws that were made for the public good.” (3.) In summary, Antigone argues that burying Polynices and following God's law is more important than Ismene’s belief of adhering to the King’s edict. …show more content…

For instance, after she buries Polyneices one of the guards catches her and brings her to Creon. King Creon and Antigone argue about if what she’s done deserves punishment. “And yet you defy the law. It was not God’s proclamation…. Your edict, King, was strong, but all your strength is weakness itself against the immortal laws of God.” (13.) Antigone believes that the divine law will always precede Creon’s law. Meanwhile, Creon believes that his edicts are superior and that the Thebans must follow them. Therefore, Antigone and Creon have different views on whose law is superior causing them to

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