PUB #1

 Mehmet Antapli

Professor Brady
Literature For the Soul/EGL 102
May 9, 2023

Written Law Vs. Moral Law

In Antigone by Sophocles, Antigone's worldview and values—particularly her feeling of responsibility to her family and to the divine law—are what motivate her actions and beliefs. Antigone insists on burying Polyneices and "shouting it out" (line 99), defying Creon's order to leave her brother's remains unburied. This shows Antigone's belief in the righteousness and need of her deeds. This viewpoint, in which certain moral duties must be upheld notwithstanding laws enacted by humans, is reflected in this belief. Antigone views herself as a devoted sister who must uphold the traditions of the deceased, even if it means defying a tyrant's orders.

Antigone emphasizes her conviction that her actions are morally righteous and in accordance with divine law when she claims that she will be a "religious criminal" (84–85). This highlights Antigone's conviction that moral commitments must be upheld, even if doing so means disobeying rules enacted by humans. Antigone's reaction to Creon's command further demonstrates her conviction that she is doing it morally. She informs him that she does not regard God's ordinances to be written down and secure, and that she did not think his proclamation had the authority to override them (469-99). This demonstrates Antigone's conviction that divine law takes precedence over human law.

The contradiction between Antigone's sense of duty and commitment to her family and the divine law and Creon's conviction in the superiority of human-made rules and his desire to uphold order and authority is the source of the conflict in the play. This conflict is a microcosm of a wider conflict between societal order and individual freedom. While Creon thinks that obeying the law is essential for maintaining the stability and order of the state, Antigone is motivated by the notion that certain moral commitments must be upheld, even if doing so means defying a tyrant's orders.

In the post-modern era, people who value their own independence and moral obligations more than societal order and conformity can be said to share Antigone's worldview and ideals. A good example of someone who embodied Antigone's spirit is a civil rights fighter who battled for the rights of underrepresented communities. Even if it meant breaking the law, they believed it was their moral obligation to fight against oppressive laws. On the other hand, Creon's attitude can be observed in those who value order and conformity over moral obligations and individual freedom. These people believe that adherence to the law is essential for maintaining social order and stability.

In conclusion, Antigone's feeling of responsibility to her family and the divine law is demonstrated by her conviction that she must bury Polyneices and "shout it out" in defiance of Creon's decree. Creon's conviction in the superiority of rules produced by humans clashes with Antigone's worldview and ideals, which place a higher priority on individual freedom and moral responsibility than society's order and compliance. The conflict in the play is a microcosm of a greater battle between societal order and individual freedom, which is evident in the acts of civil rights activists who value morality and individual freedom over conformity and societal order.