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Religion And Religion In Antigone

1513 Words7 Pages
Works of literature are generally understood as being timeless with a superior artistic merit. It explores the traditions and culture of the time and place but most prominently it gives insight to the human condition. Greek mythology is used in the ancient times to interpret things that would otherwise be unexplainable. It is an indication of human creativity and the need to introduce faith in something greater than simply existing. It was religion to the Greeks and thus provided a sense of security and knowledge. Antigone by Sophocles is a perfect example of literature since it is filled by the mythology that is considered the religion and science of its time. As a daughter to the infamous Oedipus, it is normal to assume the tragic events that shall occur later on against the play 's namesake. Like her father, the consequences of her choices are determined by divine intervention. Sophocles uses references to Greek mythology and religion to justify events, comprehend the characters, and to foreshadow the tragic occurrences in Antigone. Many of the allusions provide a justification to the tragic events that are happening in the play. In her dialogue with Creon, Antigone reveals that she buried her brother against the decree of the king to escape punishment from the gods. To clarify, divine law demands that Antigone buries her brother, and she knows that by doing so her death would be imminent. She had to choose between her obedience to Creon as a woman and a
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