Antigone Case Study

Antigone had the right to bury her. Her defiance of the decree instituted by the king, Creon, which prohibited her brother’s burial, was justified. In defense of Antigone’s position, one can argue against both divine law and the laws of the state. However, this is not what Antigone’s actions are about. Antigone’s decision to bury her brother was justified because respect for the deceased triumphs over the man-made laws of the state. Antigone’s choice was virtuous because it was the best decision for her family. Antigone was not wrong in her actions, for spiritual matters are independent and separate from human laws. Lastly, Antigone’s actions were correct because Creon had no right to order that Polyneices go without a proper burial, because that is not a decision for the state to make. Creon was wrong in ordering such a decree, because a person’s burial, especially one that is ceremonially performed

Respect for the dead is more than quintessential, because they are no longer alive to defend themselves. When it came to Polyneices’ burial, Antigone had not only a right, but a moral obligation to make sure her brother was treated with the utmost respect. No law can surpass the necessity to show respect for individuals who no longer exist among the living. Antigone says to Creon, “Death longs for the same rites for all” (583). By stating this, Antigone means that the dead deserve the same respect, if not more, than the living, and Polyneices was denied his right to respect. Respect is no guarantee, and Antigone had a duty to seek justice in this respect. No matter how “shameful” Polynneices’ actions may be, he deserved to have his dignity preserved, regardless of the circumstances. Creon should have been more understanding of this, or at least he should have considered other options than simply banning his burial. This lack of respect is not only deplorable, but it was disgraceful toward his role as