Sophocles’ play “Antigone” illustrates the conflict between
obeying human and divine law. The play opens after Oedipus’ two sons Eteocles
and Polyneices have killed each other in a civil war for the throne of Thebes. Oedipus’ brother
in law Creon then assumes the throne. He dictates that Eteocles shall receive a
state funeral and honors, while Polyneices shall be left in the streets to rot
away. Creon believes that Polyneices’ body shall be condemned to this because
of his civil disobedience and treachery against the city. Polyneices’ sister,
Antigone, upon hearing this exclaims that an improper burial for Polyneices
would be an insult to the Gods. She vows that Polyneices’ body will be buried,
and Creon declares that anyone who interferes with his body shall be punished.
This is where the conflict begins. Thus the theme of this play becomes the
priority of unwritten law. The question is whether duties to the gods are more
essential then obedience of the state and law. Creon calls the rotting of
Polyneices’ body an “obscenity” because he believes that burial of the dead is
a necessity of human law and not of a citizen. . There is no compromise between
the two – both believe in the absolute truth of their obedience.
