The God’s Laws vs. Man’s Laws Throughout history, humans have been faced with the dilemma of maintaining loyalties to religion, while still obeying the laws of government. This moral dilemma has been displayed by the many playwrights of ancient greece. In the play ‘Antigone’, Sophocles develops the moral imperative of absolute obedience to the gods over any laws of the state. Sophocles uses Antigone’s rise and fall,Creon’s tragic attributes, as well as the messages implemented by the chorus to convey that one should remain loyal to the gods above all else. Sophocles utilizes the rise and fall of Antigone’s character to develop the moral imperative of deciding which set of laws to follow. In the prologue, when faced with the decision …show more content…
After deciding to free Antigone, Creon realizes that “its best to keep the established laws to the very day we die” (Sophocles 1238-9). This is an example of Creon’s anagnorisis; he finally realizes that man must first obey the god’s laws. With this recognition, Sophocles is implying that man should always follow the god’s decree, even when metaphorically blinded by stubbornness of following the state’s laws. Furthermore, after being faced with divine retribution, Creon laments that he “learned through blood and tears” after “the gods] came down and struck [him]” (Sophocles 1402-5). Creon is being punished through the means of Nemesis after not obeying the gods. Sophocles is asserting that if the gods are not obeyed, their will be consequences. Finally, Creon wails that he “poured [his] heart into prayer” without avail, after being rejected by the gods (Sophocles 1456). The gods have abandoned Creon because he disobeyed them, and is now doomed to live a life of suffering. Sophocles is explaining that if the gods laws are not followed, their will be retribution. Having thoroughly developed the tragic hero elements of Creon, Sophocles is able to develop the theme of deciding between the god’s laws, or the state’s
Many great rulers have been tempted by the authority of absolute power. In Antigone, by Sophocles, Creon, the Theban king, will do anything in order to earn this absolute power. Creon’s prideful attitude, disregard of the authority of the gods, and failure to listen cause him to fail as a statesman, demonstrating the nature of kingship in Sophocles’s Antigone.
Ever since the beginning of days, people have pondered the question of whether or not any gods exist and if they do, are they in control? In Sophocles’ Antigone, the reader is introduced to two opposing characters: Antigone and Creon. Creon, the king of Thebes, decrees that Polynices, who led an army against Thebes, is a traitor and therefore may not be buried. Antigone, a strong and persistent woman, disagrees with Creon’s decision to deny Polynices a proper burial and is determined to bury him, disregarding Creon’s ruling. As the monarch, Creon represents human law and the power of kings, while Antigone represents divine law and the belief that the gods are in control and will punish anyone who defies them. At the conclusion of the play, both characters’ futures are doomed, but the original question of is was correct still remains.
In Sophocles’ Antigone, written in 442 B.C., we find one of the earliest examples of civil disobedience. The play emphasizes the right of the individual to reject his government’s infringement on his freedom to perform a personal obligation and highlights the struggle that one faces in doing so. More importantly, it shows how such actions help further the cause of democracy. It strengthens the belief that each individual’s opinion is important in a democracy and makes a difference. Eventually, we see Creon realize his mistake – his stubbornness – which teaches him that he should have room for more than one opinion.
...te law in front of the law of the gods was going to be a good idea but sadly after the loss of his family he realized nothing was more important than the law of the gods. “moral law supersedes human law, and Creon suffers as a result … Sophocles thereby forces the reader to feel sympathy toward him. While feeling this sympathy, the reader also learns not to make the same mistakes Creon did, to avoid being stubborn and unwilling to compromise. (studentweb)
In the following paper, I plan to discuss the source of conflict between the title characters of Antigone and Creon in Sophocles’ “Antigone”. I also plan to discuss how each character justifies his or her actions and what arguments they give for their justifications. I will also write about the strengths and weaknesses of these arguments. The final points I try to make are about who Sophocles thinks is right and who I think is right.
Creon believes that his laws are absolute and must be followed above all else, even Divine Law. Therefore when Antigone, in accordance with divine law, goes against Creons edict by burying her brother she is forcefully imprisoned and sentenced to death by Creon. In Creons opening speech he says, “Of course you cannot know a man completely, his character, his principles, sense of judgment … Experience, there’s the test” (Sophocles, p. 67). How Creon handles Antigones unlawful actions serves as his first test as the new king of Thebes and ends up showing the Thebans a glimpse of his true nature, that of a tyrannical ruler. This can be seen again when Haemon comes to Creon with the hope of dissuading him from his current course of action. He does this by trying to make Creon understand that the citizens of Thebes don’t agree with his use of power and planned execution of Antigone. Again Creons authoritarian nature comes to light in his response to Haemon, “And is Thebes about to tell me how to rule… Am I to rule this land for others – or myself?” (Sophocles, p. 97). To which Haemon counters by saying that “its no city at all, owned by one man alone” (Sophocles, p. 97). Creon, being the tyrant he is, fails to heed the wisdom of his sons’ words, which ultimately leads to his downfall. Creon, like Machiavelli, believed that it was
Segal, Charles Paul. “Sophocles’ Praise of Man and the Conflicts of the Antigone.” In Sophocles: A Collection of Critical Essays, edited by Thomas Woodard. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1966.
Possibly the most prominent theme in Sophocles' "Antigone" is the concept of divine law vs. human law. In the story the two brothers, Eteocles and Polyneices have slain each other in battle. The new King Creon, who assumed the throne after Eteocles' death, decrees that because Polyneices committed treason against the king, he shall not be buried, but instead "He shall be left unburied for all to watch
In the awe-inspiring play of Antigone, Sophocles introduces two remarkable characters, Antigone and Creon. A conflict between these two obstinate characters leads to fatal consequences for themselves and their kindred. The firm stances of Creon and Antigone stem from two great imperatives: his loyalty to the state and her dedication to her family, her religion but most of all her conscience. The identity of the tragic hero of this play is still heavily debated. This tragedy could have been prevented if it had not been for Creon's pitiful mistakes.
In the beginning of the play Creon is portrayed as King and a leader unwilling to bend the rules in order to protect the city. The way Creon responds to Antigone, “While I’m alive, no woman is going to lord over me”, shows he is stubborn and also his pride. (593-594) While the play continues Creon’s pride grows, and he thinks he can never be wrong and punishes Antigone by locking her up in a cave. However, things turn a different way when the Prophet tells Creon that he must free Antigone or face the wrath of Gods. After hearing this Creon changes his mind, “I shackled her, I’ll set her free myself. I am afraid it’s best to keep the established laws…” (1236-1238) But, as Creon tries to set Antigone free, he is faced with suicides of Antigone and Haemon, and followed by the suicide of his wife, Eurydice. This moment in the play serves as the downfall of Creon. But unlike Antigone, Creon reaches anagnorisis, which is the moment in the play when the tragic character realizes his hubris has led to his downfall. “And the guilt is all mine- can never be fixed…god help me, I admit all!”(1441-1445) Ultimately, Creon is more of a proper tragic character than Antigone because of he has an epiphany, a moment when he realizes his hubris has caused conflicts and deaths in the
Sophocles play titled Antigone, embellishes the opposing conflicts between Antigone who stands for the values of family, and Creon who stands for the values of state. Sophocles explores the depths of Antigone’s morality and the duty based on consequence throughout the play, as well as the practical consequences of Creon who is passionate and close-minded. Although Antigone’s moral decisions appear to be more logical and favorable than Creon’s, a personal argument would be that both characters’ decisions in society can be equally justified.
Creon also defied the laws of the gods. This is what is expressed in the line, "No wisdom but submission to the gods." In Antigone, the edicts and decisions that Creon made demonstrated that his law was more important than the gods laws. His defiance of the laws eventually made him believe, by talking to Teirisias, that something bad would happen to him, so he gave in to his decision. When he gave into the gods, he gained wisdom and learned that his actions would be punished.
Religion vs. the state is a main theme in “Antigone” by Sophocles. The theme is swiped throughout the play and causes much conflict between most of the characters. This conflict help’s the play move through the tragic form and touch all parts of it. Creon goes through the tragedy, by losing all of his family and not being able to die with them. Also the gods are done listening to him. The state, Creon, has failed ad the gods have come out o top once again “There is no happiness where there is no wisdom; no wisdom but in submission to the gods.” (245)
Sophocles was one of the most influential people during his time period. He held important positions in offices, participated in around thirty contests, where he won around twenty-four and was never placed lower than second, and he also received the posthumous award of Dexion, or receiver, from the Athenians. However, much of his beliefs and ideals concerning various subjects can only be drawn out through his plays, as little else remains to tell us his beliefs. Antigone in particular reveals facts about Sophocles that shows an interesting light upon him. It, along with his other plays, shows an interesting take on his beliefs about the Greek gods and goddess, and his views on a single person’s morality vs. the power and morality of the state, along with his values and philosophy.
“Do what you believe is right.” This is a phrase common to us all, brought to our attention by parents, reinforced by teachers, and preached by leaders. But how does one define what is right? Is it what we believe in our hearts, or is it what we know is acceptable? This is a predominant dilemma that can be traced throughout society, and is the main focal point of Sophocles’ play Antigone. Written in 441 B.C., Antigone is one of the earliest records of the conflict between Natural law and Positive law. Sophocles deftly exposes these two philosophical standpoints and their respective moral and political aspects by way of the two main characters, Antgone and Kreon. Antigone is a champion of Natural law, while Kreon practices the Positivist approach. Both characters deem their behavior superior towards the other, and both assume religious justification for their actions. Sophocles ultimately proves that with so much support for each philosophical standpoint, a solution to the dilemma is hardly in sight.