The Greek Tragedy 'Antigone': Civil Disobedience vs Divine Law

Antigone, a Greek tragedy written by Sophocles, is a play that explores the themes of civil disobedience and the consequences of going against the law. The story revolves around Antigone, a young woman who defies the orders of the king and buries her brother, who was declared a traitor by the state. Her actions lead to a conflict between her and the king, ultimately resulting in her tragic end. One of the main themes of Antigone is the issue of civil disobedience, this essay explores how Sophocles saw this problem in terms of human and divine laws. 

Antigone was written around the time of 441 B.C. This play, out of three Theban plays written by Sophocles, is the third in order of the events depicted in the plays, but it is the first that was written. The play begins with Antigone’s arrival in Thebes in which she learns both of her brothers have killed each other in battle for the throne. Eteocles has been given a proper burial, but Creon, Antigone's uncle who has inherited the throne of Thebes, has issued a royal edict banning the burial of Polyneices, who he believes was a traitor. Nevertheless, Antigone defies the law, buries her brother, and is caught. Ultimately, when Creon imprisons her for defying him, she kills herself.

Through Antigone, Sophocles explores the tension between human law and divine law. Divine law, or the “law of the Gods” is a term that describes the morals, beliefs, and actions that represent God’s will. Contrarily, human law is seen as a set of rules of conduct which govern the land and the community created by humans for humans. Thus, in Antigone, the clash between these two laws is expressed through the play’s two main characters: Creon (human law), and Antigone (divine law). Creon, as King and lawgiver in Thebes, believes that obedience to man-made laws creates a safe and prosperous state in which he says:

“There is no more deadly peril than disobedience;

States are devoured by it, homes laid in ruins,

Armies defeated, victory turned to rout.

While simple obedience saves the lives of hundreds

Of honest folk'

Accordingly, due to his belief that loyalty and obedience to the laws of the land are of utmost importance, he justifies his edict to prohibit the burial of Polynices.

On the other hand, Antigone appeals to divine law stating that there are moral standards for right and wrong which are more fundamental and universal than the laws of any particular society. According to Antigone, the gods have ordered people to give the dead a proper burial. Thus, she believes she has a greater responsibility and loyalty to her brother by giving him a proper burial than she does to Creon and the laws of the city in which she states:

'Go on and be the way you choose to be. I

Will bury him. I will have a noble death

And lie with him, a dear sister with a dear brother'

Ultimately, Sophocles depicts civil disobedience through Antigone as she proclaims her sense of duty towards obeying the wishes of the gods and her loyalty to her brother outweigh the human laws set in place by Creon which ban her from doing so.

In the end, Antigone’s actions are exonerated by the citizens of Thebes and although she has passed away, it is Creon who suffers from the ultimate punishment of guilt as his reluctance to respect divine law leads to his family deserting him. Thus, Antigone may be interpreted by readers, through Antigone’s martyrdom, the citizens’ sympathy, and Creon’s suffering, as Sophocles’ reasoning that the laws of the state should not oppose the divine laws. And even more so, when they do, civil disobedience is warranted.  

To conclude, the story of Antigone is a timeless reminder of the importance of conscience, and the power of an individual's belief in what is right. It serves as a powerful example of how civil disobedience can be used to fight against unjust laws and social norms, while also highlighting the potential consequences of such actions.