Antigone, like most Greek Tragedy, is not meant to be read to give a moral, but rather to entertain and inspire common emotion in the audience, (Scodel, Into. to Greek Tragedy). In as much as this question can be answered, the moral of Antigone is dual: the fierce nature of Antigone lands her in trouble, and the stubborn nature of Creon leaves him childless and widowed. However, a better reading of this play is to use it to understand whether following a state's rule even when the rule is wrong, is the right thing to do. Creon was clearly 'wrong' to prohibit Polynices' burial (as seen in other depictions of Polynices in epic verse). This applies to very modern examples, such as WWII in Germany (Schindler was a good example perhaps of an 'Antigone'). So there is not so much a moral conclusion in this play as there is a debate of what a good ruler should do, what a good citizen should do, and most importantly, what a good person should do.
It depends on your own ethics and morality.What may be moral and correct to you is not necessarily right and moral to someone else.
It is by burying her brother that Antigone breaks a moral law in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the phrase moral law describes the enforcement of right and wrong in society. The description fits the non-burial edict that is issued by Theban Princess Antigone's uncle King Creon. It is right for Antigone to respect Creon as her guardian, relative and ruler. It therefore is wrong for her to break his law.
There are two main moral issues in the play 'Antigone'. One is the question of disobedience or obedience to inhumane, unfair, unjust laws. Another is the manner in which that disobedience/ or obedience is carried out.
In Sophocles' play "Antigone," the character Creon expresses the idea that there is no threat in challenging a bad decree. He believes that the laws of the state must be upheld, but this sentiment is ultimately contested by Antigone, who argues for a higher moral law. The tension between Creon's authority and Antigone's moral conviction drives the central conflict of the play.
In "Antigone," Antigone is resolute and defiant, willing to sacrifice her life to honor her brother Polynices, while Ismene is more cautious and submissive, initially refusing to help Antigone due to fear of the consequences. In the present play, their behaviors reflect a similar dynamic, with Antigone's unwavering commitment to moral duty contrasting sharply with Ismene's inclination toward conformity and self-preservation. This fundamental difference underscores the themes of individual versus state and the moral dilemmas faced by women in a patriarchal society, showcasing Antigone's heroic defiance and Ismene's pragmatic approach.
It depends on your own ethics and morality.What may be moral and correct to you is not necessarily right and moral to someone else.
It is by burying her brother that Antigone breaks a moral law in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the phrase moral law describes the enforcement of right and wrong in society. The description fits the non-burial edict that is issued by Theban Princess Antigone's uncle King Creon. It is right for Antigone to respect Creon as her guardian, relative and ruler. It therefore is wrong for her to break his law.
There are two main moral issues in the play 'Antigone'. One is the question of disobedience or obedience to inhumane, unfair, unjust laws. Another is the manner in which that disobedience/ or obedience is carried out.
Creon's edict defied moral law.
In "Antigone," Antigone is resolute and defiant, willing to sacrifice her life to honor her brother Polynices, while Ismene is more cautious and submissive, initially refusing to help Antigone due to fear of the consequences. In the present play, their behaviors reflect a similar dynamic, with Antigone's unwavering commitment to moral duty contrasting sharply with Ismene's inclination toward conformity and self-preservation. This fundamental difference underscores the themes of individual versus state and the moral dilemmas faced by women in a patriarchal society, showcasing Antigone's heroic defiance and Ismene's pragmatic approach.
Socrates and Antigone both prioritize principles of justice and moral duty in their beliefs. However, they differ in their approaches to authority - Socrates typically defers to the laws of the city, while Antigone follows her personal moral convictions over the decree of the state. Both characters also face conflicts between their individual beliefs and societal norms, leading to their tragic outcomes.
The pronouncement against burial of the disloyal Theban dead is the kingly edict and the decision not to obey that unjust royal edict is Antigone's moral stand in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Creon issues a royal edict that contradicts a divine commandment and a cherished Theban tradition. He insists that god-given rights of all Thebans to below-ground burials can, should and will be denied to all his perceived enemies. But his niece, Princess Antigone, decides that in burying her brother Polyneices she will obey the divine commandment and disobey the royal edict.
Leaving dead Theban bodies unburied is the moral transgression in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, a moral trangression describes a failure to do something that needs to be done. The description fits Theban King Creon's refusal to honor divine will and Theban traditions. Creon issues an edict that denies to the disloyal Theban dead the god-given rights of all Thebans to below ground burials.
"One must remember that a man lives best when he is true to himself." - Antigone speaking about the conflict between following divine law and man-made law.
The main characters drive the play and put us in moral dilemma that each one of us must answer to ourselves. The following are snippets of the main character from Antigone to help keep them straight when reading the play...
If Antigone disobeys Creon's Law in "Antigone," Antigone is to be sentenced to death.
Antigone represents the belief in honoring divine law and family obligations above human law, while Creon represents the belief in upholding the laws of the state and prioritizing political duty over personal relationships. Their conflict showcases the clash between individual moral conviction and societal order in the play.