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How Did Creon Decide The Divine Law In Antigone

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In Antigone by Sophocles, the main character, whom the play is named for, is faced with a difficult situation. Both Antigone's brothers, Eteocles and Polyneices, have died. Eteocles died defending Thebes and Polyneices died attacking it. King Creon, Antigone's uncle, forbade the burial of Polyneices because of his attack on Thebes. The King poclaimed an edict to refuse the burial of Polyneices on pain of death. Antigone, compelled by her religious conviction, choses to ignore the decree no matter the consequences. Antigone chose the gods over Creon because she was faithful to her religion and knew that the King, whom was mortal, could not make divine law. Antigone was right to defy the King and to choose to bury her brother because of her religious convictions, for the sake of righteousness, and for the love of Polyneices. Antigone was a religious person who tried her best to live according to her religious beliefs. She honored the gods the way she was taught by her parents, Oedipus and Jocasta, by giving the gods sacrifices and worshiping them. One way she honored the gods was by defending them from being overruled by Creon. Although Creon was the King of Thebes and was able to create laws, Antigone knew he did not have the authority to form divine laws. She …show more content…

Since nobody may be constrained to act against his or her religious beliefs, Creon should not have forbidden the burial of Polyneices. Antigone buried her brother and defied Creon to follow her religion and her conscience. Creon did not have the authority to change the law of the gods. Antigone wanted to please the gods more than she feared the punishment of her uncle. Antigone loved her brother immensely that she could not bear the dishonor. Of allowing his body to be devoured by wild animals. For all these reasons, Antigone had the right to disobey King

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