Role Of Law In Antigone

Law or Flaw? “The Law is the Law is the Law is the Law.” This is a saying often used by many to justify the situation of someone who has done something that they feel is right, but the law says is wrong. Within the Sophocles classic “Antigone”, such a situation is presented when Antigone buries her brother against the will of her uncle: King Creon. The author of the play (Sophocles) uses morals, ethics, and the concept of age v. youth to examine the thought of “Why Creon puts his law above all else?” This over-ethical complex shows in Creon multiple times throughout the play. In instances such as: the discussions with the Choragos, the conviction of his own niece, and his quarrel between him and the young Haimon. What could be considered the worst demonstration of Creon’s haughtiness towards the law would be when he is informed of the public’s distaste of his decisions and still doesn't change his thinking……at least he didn't for the time being.

Morals are a questioning of right and wrong within one’s own character as a human being. In other words, the unspoken instincts and judgment of humans as a species, would be a proper definition. Such things are displayed when Antigone makes the decision to bury her brother despite what the established law had instructed against. This action was taken based on what a character felt or knew was right, even if it was against governmental law hence making it a moral decision. Because morals are a judgment of what one personally feels is right, the decisions of a government or other law-making body aren't likely to change them. Antigone’s defiance of her uncle’s law is a perfect example of