Pub #1 - Integrated Rebellion

Pub #1 - Integrated Rebellion

"It doesn't take a majority to make a rebellion; it takes only a few determined leaders and a sound cause."

-H. L. Mencken

Don Mahalli
Professor Mignano-Brady
English 102
16 February 2018

Pub #1 - Integrated Rebellion

True failure is when one does not learn from the mistakes that occurred in the past. Antigone, a character in the classic Greek drama Antigone by Sophocles, is faced with the dilemma of moral versus physical law. Creon’s order to not bury Polyneices, Antigone’s brother, is the statute set for the land of Thebes. However, Antigone follows what she believes in, contradicting Creon’s order by burying her brother. Antigone is adhering to her moral beliefs, while Creon is set with the obligation to follow orders. The action of Antigone following moral law instead of physical law benefits both herself and society.

          Herbert George Wells, a world–renowned author and historian, once stated “If you fell down yesterday, stand up today” (Wells). In the time of Antigone, society was extremely misogynistic, viewing females as lower-class as compared to men. As Ismene states “You ought to realize we are only women, not meant in nature to fight against men” (Sophocles 1131). Based on how society views women and their power, Ismene is against burying her brother while Antigone is strong and fast in her decision, stating “I shall be a criminal-but a religious one” (Antigone, 84-85). Antigone argues she will be a religious criminal because she finds the physical law immoral and biased because it is created by a corrupt figure and not of the gods. Antigone states “it was not Zeus that made proclamation; nor did justice, which lives with those below, enact such laws as that, for mankind” (Antigone, 494-496). This statement stresses that Creon is a man and not a god proving Creon is not in power to make such laws that oppose religious and moral values. These factors make Antigone believe that her moral law is more ethical than this written law, thus she buries Polyneices. 

         Antigone’s  diligence in the illegal operation to bury her brother Polyneices can be seen when Antigone states “But if I dared to leave the dead man, my mother’s son, dead and unburied, that would have been real pain. The other is not” (Sophocles 1142). Antigone’s courageous action shows that she can handle the physical pain that Creon can bring upon her, but not accept the intellectual thought of her brother Polyneices bowing down next to the throne of Hades, demonstrating that Antigone values her moral law over Creon’s physical law. Antigone uses this statement as a legitimate reason to question the absolute authority of Creon. Antigone has a prescience on the nature of Creon’s ruling, and knows her current actions can lead to the public outcry of Creon’s absolutism. The societal fear of Creon can be seen when Antigone states “No, these do, too, but keep their mouth shut for the fear of you” (Antigone, 555-556). Antigone is accomplishing two tasks within one, standing up for what she believes in and answering to the societal feelings toward the government. These actions show the importance of moral law compared to physical law, by displaying how personal belief and honor can support more than just the individual, but society as well.

          The action set forth by Antigone in questioning the physical law created by Creon shows the power society has in questioning authority through the use of moral law. If the government does not represent each and every person equally under physical law, the citizens have the right to follow moral law. By adhering to the public outcry, Antigone is vocal to the community about the misdeed she has conducted to create moral societal values and laws.