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In Antigone, as in our culture today, there is always a conflict between our values and religious obligations. What we think and what we are taught to do are not always coordinated, which can lead to conflict, particularly when others hold conflicting views. Religious obligations, on the other hand, are considered divine law and infallible, despite the fact that morals vary from person to person. The connection between religion and morality has long been a source of contention.
These arguments, which now rumble like public life, have been hampered by a slew of conceptual ambiguities and restrictions. Antigone and Creon hold diametrically opposed views on moral and religious obligations, which are inappropriate for Thebes citizens. In a democratic society, secular rules appear to have a greater influence, but family and traditions should always be considered when dealing with challenges and conflicts.
This is how moral and religious obligations appear in the conflict between Antigone and Creon. Antigone feels that burying her dead brother, Polyneikes, is ethically good and that honoring the dead is religiously correct (Puncher et al.); yet, her personal and religious commitments are in conflict due to the human laws imposed by their king, Kreon. She must disobey the kings rule, and in doing so, she must also disobey the morality of Thebes citizens.
Kreon has very different beliefs than Antigone; he believes that her brother should be dishonored and not buried for attempting to destroy Thebes, despite the fact that religious responsibilities contradict his personal morals, King Kreon places a high value on his law and his people, which causes him to battle with Antigone. This causes them to conflict over and overdue her personal and religious obligations.
The morals of Antigone are quite different from those of the other characters in the play. Despite King Kreons prohibition, she chooses to bury her brother Polyneices after learning of the arrangements and lack thereof for her deceased siblings (Puchner et al.). By burying Antigones brother Polyneikes, we may readily discern Antigones own morality at this moment. She adores her brother and will die trying to respect him, no matter what he does.
This is confirmed during her conversation with her sister, Ismene: Im burying Polyneikes by myself. I will do what is right, and then I will die. I shall sleep next to him, who adores me&I owe the dead, whom I will spend considerably more time with than the living, far more than I will ever owe the living. (Puchner et al.). She owes a responsibility to her family. She also expresses her dissatisfaction with the kings refusal to keep me from my own. (Puchner et al.). In other words, she prioritizes her responsibilities to her family over her responsibilities to the community. Ismene also learns that Antigone is willing to become a criminal and die for her convictions. Her death, she feels, will not be in vain, and that it will honor her family, which the gods will recognize.
Antigone and Creon both use their principles to justify their acts. Antigone justifies her revolt and disobedience to the state by accepting her responsibility to her family and the authority of Divine forces. She claims that her activities are necessary to placate those who have died (Puchner et al.). Similarly, Creon defends his decision to leave Polyneices body unburied by citing the importance of adhering to state regulations. He claims that there is nothing worse than disobedience to authority. He believes that the state should always come first, even if it means sacrificing family.
Antigones existence is ruled by the gods and her family adoration, moral and theological convictions are required in the conflict. Creons actions are guided by his convictions about what is best for his country and his sense of pride (Puchner et al.). Creon did not regret his choice to release Antigone until a prophecy told him that his actions would bring him tremendous harm. Creon, like the rest of the characters in the play, suffers in the end because of his long-term stubbornness and failure to listen to anyones advice sooner. All of this was due to a mans selfish pride and stubbornness, as well as his desire to follow his morality in the courtroom.
Antigones morals are bolstered by her remark. She believes that burying her brother is the proper thing to do, regardless of what the king says or the repercussions (Puchner et al.). Antigones personal morals are diametrically opposed to those of Thebes citizens. Antigones disobedience is a breach of the peoples morals, which demand that they obey the kings laws. In reality, someone who accepts an ontological interpretation of moral obligations as divine commandments while still striving to establish a moral case for faith in God may conclude that morality must take precedence over religion. Respecting one others points of view, balancing their responsibilities to the state and their families, and taming their haughty pride could have helped Antigone and Creon resolve their quarrel.
Finally, the battle between Antigone and Creon exemplifies the interconnectedness of all heavenly and secular rules. People develop rules to help them survive in their existing environment and to improve their interpersonal relationships. Individuals are often affected by state limits that promote the interests of the majority, whereas cultural standards are relevant to individuals. In a democratic society, secular standards appear to have a greater effect, yet family and traditions should always be respected when dealing with obstacles and conflicts.
Work cited
Puchner, Martin, et al. The Norton anthology of world literature. W. W. Norton & Company; Fourth edition, 2018.
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