The Perfect Crime

Sophocles’s Antigone and Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar both have characters that defy law and government in the name of justice. Antigone and Brutus both believe that they are completely justified in going against the rules of their societies; instead following their own moral compasses. However, based upon the intents behind their crimes, Brutus committed a holier crime.
Antigone committed the crime of burying her brother, Polyneices, whose burial was forbidden by law. On the surface, it seems like the ultimate holy crime. Antigone was determined to follow the gods’ law over the law of a ruler she did not agree with. Looking a little closer, however, one can see that Antigone’s crime is definitely not as perfect as it seems. First of all, Antigone complained about a consequence that she was fully aware of when she committed the crime. If she had committed the crime for truly selfless reasons, she would have accepted her punishment, taking comfort in the fact that she had done what she thought was right.
Antigone seems to have broken the law not solely for the benefit of her brother, but also for her own gain. For example, in the Prologue of Antigone, Ismene is trying to persuade Antigone not to go through with breaking the law. Antigone says that she is not afraid of the danger and death her actions may bring upon her, because that better than a death without honor. This implies that Antigone is expecting to be honored by everyone for her actions; and indication that one of her motives is her own pride.
Another instance that shows that Antigone’s motives are not where they should be is in Scene two, Lines 93-120, when Antigone is talking with Creon. To Creon, Antigone says that she “should have praise and honor f...

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... however, faced death without fear; the situation surrounding his death was not his fault, yet he showed no weakness. He knew when his time was up and faced the consequences of his actions. He died honorably, his last words addressed to Caesar: “I killed not thee with half so good a will” (Shakespeare 5.5.52). Brutus’s choice of his last words show that even in death, Brutus did not think of himself, but of the greater good.
In conclusion, although it looks as if Antigone committed the holier crime, Brutus’s crime was actually more holy. There is no doubt that Brutus committed his crime with a truly selfless heart, and he was committed to his cause throughout its duration. Antigone’s dialogue paints her as selfish, hypocritical, and full of false bravery. A crime committed for one’s own benefit cannot be considered holy. Therefore, Brutus committed a holier crime.