The Law of God Supersedes in Antigone Essay

In the Theban Antigone by Sophocles, the author reveals a theme that the laws of the Gods are greater than those of man. The beginning of this play shows king Creon refusing to bury Polynice on account of him attacking Thebes, this begins a conflict with Antigone; Polynices sister who believes that she must bury her brother sending his soul to the heavens even though fully knowing the consequences of her actions could lead to her own death, Creon discovers this treason and sentences Antigone to death, despite the numerous objections by his son Haemon and the blind prophet Theresis. Through the use of conflicts and tragedy Sophocles reveals a theme that is relevant even in a modern society. Sophocles uses the interpersonal conflict between Antigone and Creon to represent that upholding the laws of the Gods are higher than the laws of man. Creon sets laws that he believes no man is bigger than while Antigone believes that upholding the laws of divinity are more important. Antigone shows this when she says And if I die for it, what happiness! Convicted of reverence I shall be content. The quote shows Antigone talking to her sister Ismene telling her that if Creon sentences her to death for doing right by the Gods and burying her brother then she is okay with that. Also when Creon discovers Antigone is the one who disobeyed his law he is furious with her, again she states her reasoning that it is by the laws of heaven she obeys not those of man. It is shown when she says I did not think your edicts strong enough to overrule the unwritten unalterable laws of god and heaven, you being only a man. This quote shows her arguing with her uncle about her decision to bury her brother; following the unwritten laws and rites of the Gods to give Polynices a proper burial, despite Creons law that anyone who buried him would be put to death; this shows Antigones strong belief in the Gods and Creons faith in himself. Sophocles uses this interpersonal conflict to reveal Antigones Belief that the laws of the Gods are greater than those of man. Another conflict that reveals Sophocles main theme is the internal one within Antigone herself, Antigone who is a very firm believer that the Gods have more power and more authority than man. She becomes conflicted when her uncle Creon declares that her beloved brother is to remain unburied and left for the animals, Antigone feels this is wrong and that it is the Gods wishes for her to bury her brother. When she realises this she tells her sister

There is no pain, no sorrow, no suffering, no dishonour/ we have not shared together, you and I./ and now there is something more have you heard this order./ The latest order that the king had proclaimed to the city?/ Have you heard how our dearest is being treated like enemies

Antigones family has had very troubled times in the past and now she is faced with the fact her brother will have no burial. This conflicts her emotions because she wants to be able to mourn her brother, but she does not want to disobey her uncle. These emotions help reveal the theme because Antigone decides that she should bury her brother despite Creons law. Antigone is faithful to the unwritten laws of the Gods because she feels they are more important than those made by man.

The theme of the play is also revealed through the external conflict between Creon and the Gods. Creon being stubborn and proud feels that he is above the laws of the almighty, he neglects to see the signs the Gods send as a warning until he has lost everything. And when he does he says

I learn in sorrow. Upon my head/ God has delivered this heavy punishment./ Has struck down in the ways of wickedness,/ and trod my gladness underfoot./ such is affliction of mortal man

The Gods punish Creon for believing that he could be above the laws of the Almighty. As punishment for his crimes against the heavens Creon paid his dues with the lives of his niece, son, and his wife, while he must live with regret and the guilt of knowing that it was all his fault this shows the theme that the laws of the almighty are more important than that of man through the external conflict between Creon and the heavens, his belief that his is above the laws of the gods, and his punishment of which he say everything he loved die. This shows that any man who believes that they have more authority and power than the Gods, will face the consequences. Through the interpersonal, internal, and external conflicts within the play, Sophocles reveals his main theme that the unwritten and unalterable laws of the heavens are greater than those of mortals. Through the struggles and sufferings of the characters go through in the play help reveal to the audience that the laws of the Gods are greater than those of man and that any man who believes otherwise faces the consequences for their actions. Creon believes he is above the laws of Gods by refusing Polynices a proper burial and he pays the price resulting in the death of 3 people he cared about, leaving Creon himself to mourn. By the end of this play the audience understands that the laws of man cannot be held higher than those of the gods.