Pub #1: Written Law Vs Moral Law

  Written Law Vs Moral Law

In this world, to give someone power is to fuel someone's fire that destroys everything in its way. In this case Creon was given so much power that he thought he could overrule religious rules. In the play “Antigone”, Antigone felt that she had to bury her brother Polyneices even after Creon ordered not to. In the play Antigone has stated quotes like “I shall be a criminal- but a religious one" (Antigone, 84-85) and " I did not believe your proclamation had such power to enable one who will someday die to override God's ordinances, unwritten and secure" (Antigone, 469-99)? It is clear that although Creon ordered Polyneices to not bury Polyneices portraying his abuse of power Antigone believes in divine law and family duty over human law and deeply believes that what she is doing is right.  

Antigone’s determination to bury her dead brother Polyneices comes from her strong beliefs in divine law versus human law. Antigone believes that she must not only bury Polyneices despite the order of Creon but to “shout it out” (Antigone, 99). This shows us how Antigone believes that divine law is superior to human law and does not care about the order from Creon. She believes that burying her brother is not an act of rebellion but a simple act of family duty and justice against the act of tyranny from Creon. Antigone displays her strong beliefs in divine law by stating “ You, if you like, can cast dishonor on what the gods have honored” (Antigone, 88-89) to Ismene. This quote portrays Antigone's commitment to her beliefs and values of divine law over human law. This quote also shows how Antigone feels obligated to bury her brother as it is what the gods honor regardless of what rules are placed.

Antigone's determination on her religious values despite the consequences shows how devoted she is to the gods. To portray her devotion Antigone declares “I shall be a criminal- but a religious one” (Antigone, 84-85). This quote expresses her commitment to the gods and the consequences she is willing to take to express her values. By labeling herself as a criminal Antigone knows that some people would see her actions as unlawful to human law because of Creon's orders. However, she adds “but a religious one” to display that her actions come from divine law which she is honoring.  Antigone states shortly after calling herself a religious criminal “I know I am pleasing those I should please most” (Antigone 103) referring to the gods by her pleasing the gods she will bury her brother and honor him because she believes divine law is superior. To continue, Creon's abuse of power made him feel like he had more powers than the gods. Antigone responds to Creon’s tyranny by saying “I did not believe your proclamation had such power to enable one who will someday die to override God's ordinances, unwritten and secure" (Antigone, 469-99)?  Antigone articulates her disagreement in the authority of human law to surpass the laws of the gods. This shows her stubbornness in defending the divine law by saying human law can never overrule the laws of the gods and she will obey the divine law at the cost of her life.

Furthermore, the real conflict in “Antigone” is the disagreement between divine law and human law, shown by the viewpoints of Antigone and Creon. Creon represents the state and human supremacy, and he was given so much power that he thought he could overrule the laws of the gods. Antigone on the opposing side representing religious beliefs and values and honoring the laws that the gods have made. For example, when Antigone said, “It was not Zeus who made the proclamation: nor did justice which lives with those below, enact such laws as that” (Antigone, 495-496”), she is stating that since this rule was not made by a higher divine authority that she is not obligated to follow it and portrays the conflict of divine law and human law. In the post-modern world, Creon can be connected to Kim Jong Un. He can be connected to him because of their authoritarian leadership styles, and they also have tendencies to control and seek obedience over individuals and take away human rights. Additionally, Kim Jong Un and Creon both can be described as having a lack of empathy and being dictators. Kim Jong Un is known for maintaining a tight control over the country's government, and also abusing the human rights of his citizens.

The battle between human law and divine law is expressed throughout the whole play by the actions of Creon and Antigone. The play highlights the tension between moral duty and the law created by humans due to Antigone's determination to bury her brother to honor divine law and her values. While on the other hand Creon displayed his belief in human supremacy and his abuse of power and being a tyrant. Nevertheless, the battle between moral law and written law were heavily influenced and displayed by these characters.