Blog 2- Antigone/Moral VS. Written Law

Antigone was a firm believer in moral law versus written law on issues concerning religion. She was willing to sacrifice her life for her religious value of burying her brother Polyneices even though her actions went against the royal edict handed down by the ruler Creon. Antigone declared, “No suffering of mine will be enough to make me die ignobly” (Antigone 113-114). Antigone emphasized she should “shout it out” (Antigone 99), in response to her sister, Ismene, asking her to hide her crime of burying her brother. Unlike Antigone, Ismene was more afraid of Creon than of the gods. Antigone felt hiding her actions would be similar to admitting guilt and that went against her beliefs. Antigone was so disturbed by the written law prohibiting the burial of her brother that she wanted everyone to know of her defiance. This way Creon would look guilty for passing the law. Antigone believed Creon was going against the law of the Gods and trusted the citizens would side with her. This was shown when Antigone stated, “All that are here would surely say that’s true, if fear did not lock their tongues up” (Antigone 549-550). All in all, Antigone clearly expressed her moral values and world view.

Antigone’s values were evident when she stated, “I shall be a criminal- but a religious one” (Antigone 84-85). Antigone was more fearful of going against her religious convictions, which included burying the dead, then of being put to death. Antigone took pride in honoring the gods by following their moral law. Antigone showed her fear of going against the gods when she declared to her sister, “You, if you like, can cast dishonor on what the gods have honored” (Antigone 88-89). Above all Antigone was obedient to the gods on issues concerning religion.

Antigone stood by her values, and world view when she defied Creon by stating, “I did not believe your proclamation had such power to enable one who will someday die to override God's ordinances, unwritten and secure" ( 496-498). Antigone was telling Creon that he is just a man, and nothing more. Antigone proclaimed Creon was weaker than the Gods, and should not dismiss them with his own worldly laws. Antigone was more worried about the wrath of the gods then the wrath of Creon. She believed the act of dying lasted a moment, but the punishment of the gods would last forever. Antigone’s values represented her loyalty to the gods and to her own beliefs.