Antigone Quote

"That order did not come from God. Justice, that dwells with the gods below, knows no such law. I did not think your edicts strong enough to overrule the unwritten, unalterable laws" (138).

This quote illustrates a major conflict in Antigone; the conflict between the law of human rulers and the 'unwritten, unalterable' laws of the gods. Does Antigone's belief that Creon's law contradicts a higher law justify her rebellious act of burial?

Comments

  1. Mrs. DisherOctober 18, 2017 at 11:02 AM

    Class notes
    If she's right, it justifies her...in the eyes of the gods
    So she should obey gods, BUT must still be ready to submit to man law punishment
    But gods appoint king...so is Antigone saying her judgment of what's right is above the gods' choice of Creon as king?
    Creon feels threatened by Antig family line
    How does Antig KNOW what the gods' law is? Tradition? "Unwritten"?
    Difference between burying an enemy and preventing his family from burying him?
    (Note how Achilles dishonored Hector's body and was smited for it)
    On to Brittany

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