Ethical Issues In Antigone

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In the Greek drama Antigone, by Sophocles, Eteocles has been given a proper burial, but Creon has issued a new law that banned the burial of Polyneices. He is not allowing anyone to bury him because in Creon’s mind, he is a traitor. Except, Antigone wants to bury him so he can go to heaven for all eternity. Antigone thinks that everyone deserves a proper burial, especially her own family. But, as a result to this there is a rift created between Creon and Antigone. Many problems are caused due to the differences of religious and human law throughout the story of Antigone. If not obeyed, religious law is determined by fate, while human law is determined by the king, adhered to or not. “But Polynices, just as unhappily fallen- the order says he is not to be buried, not to be mourned; to be left unburied, unwept, a feast of flesh.” When Creon made the order that Polynices was not to be buried, Antigone felt that she had to bury him so he could make it to heaven and stay …show more content…

“We have only a little time to please the living. But all eternity to love the dead. There I shall lie for ever. Live, if you will; live and defy the holiest laws of heaven.” This is when Antigone is talking to Ismene about burying their brother. But, Ismene does not want to be punished for entombing her brother against the new king’s orders. “He is to left unburied, left to be eaten by dogs and vultures, a horror for all to see. I am determined that never, if I can help it, shall evil triumph over good.” Creon does not care whether or not Polynices makes it to heaven or not. All he cares about is that the imposter should not be cared for due to he turned his back on the city where he was raised. But, once Creon realizes that it was Antigone that buried him, he sends her to death. He would not have let her be buried either because she disobeyed him, the

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