Essay about The Burial at Thebes

Words: 1329
Pages: 6
Open Document
Saleem Akbar
Prof. Ryna May
English 207-C101
10 May 2012
Mo[r]tal Law
In Heaney’s The Burial at Thebes, the protagonist defies the law of the state to observe what she sees as higher law. In this regard, Antigone’s actions were ethical in nature for she pursued what she felt was morally righteous. When mortal laws conflict with what we feel are moral laws, we should stand up for the values we believe to be true within ourselves. Sophocles’ play builds a contrast between the ideas of duty and obedience. Duty being the idea that one should uphold truth and value; while obedience, the idea that one should do their best to uphold the laws of man. While Antigone’s methods of pursuing truth are unethical in terms of mortal law, her actions …show more content…
"To refrain mutually from injury, from violence, from exploitation, and put one's will on a par with that of others: this may result in a certain rough sense in good conduct among individuals when the necessary conditions are given... it would immediately disclose what it really is--namely, a Will to the denial of life, a principle of dissolution and decay" (Nietzsche, 125).

Antigone’s decision to take matters into her own hands can be seen as stemming from a place of duty as opposed to disobedience. Kant describes duty, “like a jewel, it [shines] by its own light, as a thing which has its whole value in itself. It’s usefulness or fruitlessness can neither add, nor take away anything from this value” (Kant 296). Kant suggests that one who is dutiful is a self-sufficient, humble, instrument of moral value. This applies to Antigone in her willingness to pursue truth for herself rather than the truth of Creon or society. She is doing what she deems necessary in regard to her own moral compass. If she had went along with Creon’s decision, she would have been dishonoring her own system of moral value. Early on in the play, Antigone tells her sister, Ismene, “No. No. Broadcast it. Your cover-ups sicken me. I have nothing to hide from the powers that see all. I’m doing what has to be done” (Heaney, 12). Even this early on in the play, she makes a conscious decision to choose duty over obedience and is not ashamed to admit it. Kant says that we should “Act only
Show More

Related Documents: Essay about The Burial at Thebes

Creon Burial At Thebes

ruler of Thebes justified in not allowing a proper burial to Polyneices? Creon who is the new ruler of Thebes has a sole responsibility of the welfare of the state and its people. Law and order is a main issue in relation to the welfare of the state. Only a strong state can maintain the law and order and for that, authority of the state has to be Supreme. Therefore Creon has a moral duty to maintain the authority of the State over its citizens. After the death of Oedipus the throne of the Thebes was…

Words 890 - Pages 4

The Burial At Thebes A Streetcar Named Desire Essay

Secondary Characters In the plays The Burial at Thebes and A Streetcar Named Desire, gender inequalities are the main cause of conflict. In these plays the principal characters are women who struggle forcefully in a world where men enforce a lifestyle in which women are seen as inferior. In contrast, the sisters that seem to not have much importance are fundamental because their inaction define the course of the play. Throughout Sophocles’ The Burial at Thebes and Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named…

Words 1033 - Pages 5

Antigone In Thebes Summary

ANTIGONE: Nightime in thebes and two sons of Oedipus Eteocles and Polynices have been fighting each other. They fight for control of Thebes The two brothers killed each other in battle and this forced Polynices army to retreat out of the city because they don’t have a leader anymore. Creon takes over Antigone is sad about her brothers dying and so Ismene Antigone says that anyone who attempts to bury Polynices besides her should be killed. Ismene listens to the king instead of her sister’s request…

Words 579 - Pages 3

Antigone And Creon Tragic Hero Essay

a person of high stature/respect (king of Thebes), (2) makes a judgement error early in the play (prohibiting the burial of Polynices and then sentencing Antigone to a miserable punishment), and (3) possess a fatal flaw (being too stubborn and closed-minded). The first two tragic hero characteristics Creon posses (position of high stature/respect and judgement error) are illustrated in the begging of the play. Shortly after stepping in as ruler of Thebes, Creon addresses the public and announces…

Words 535 - Pages 3

Conflicting Influences In Sophocles Antigone

Furthermore, Antigone dictated that divine law was above the civil law. Antigone believed that Polynices deserved a burial because he fought bravely; the gods would have cursed Thebes if he was not buried properly. In Antigone’s perspective, the God’s laws to mankind were definite because the Gods have supreme power over all mankind. In fact, Creon mandated that his rule was absolute and should be…

Words 624 - Pages 3

Who Is Creon A Tragic Hero

In Sophocles’s Antigone, Creon, the new king of Thebes, exemplifies all of the traits of a tragic hero. Creon is good and vertuous by wanting to do what is best for the people of Thebes as their new king. Creon is also lifelike by having human like qualities. He is also constant throughout the play and does not change his thought and opinions. Creon show his virtue by trying to what is best for the people of Thebes. Creon shows his goodness and virtue by wanting to what is best for his kingdom…

Words 717 - Pages 3

Role Of Universal Law In Antigone

women crying in the picture, is an independent women that stands up for what she believes in. Creon, her uncle the king of Thebes, bans anyone from burying…

Words 708 - Pages 3

Creon's Search For Justice In Antigone

Antigone in the play, "Antigone", opposes Creon, the King of Thebes, and his unlawful casting of burial restrictions after the death of her brother, Polyneices. Creon bans the proper burial of Polyneices because he was considered a “traitor.” Some would contemplate that showing respect for the dead is something you have to have despite having disagreements. Antigone’s search for justice is significant because of her respect, determination, and impact she had in her journey to address unethical power…

Words 521 - Pages 3

Creon Antigone Analysis

Antigone/Creon Pov It began with the battle of Thebes, no regrets. When my brother Polynice died in battle, I buried him against King Creon's order. Creon refused to let me bury him properly to show the people who were in charge. Before I recount my demise, let me set the stage for you. My other brother, Creon, who was the king of Thebes then and also my uncle, labeled Polynices a traitor because he fought against Eteocles. I had no love for Creon. He was full of himself, caring more about his kingly…

Words 798 - Pages 4

Creon Tragic Hero

the play, they would experience downfall, and lose everything. The character of Creon is an example of a tragic hero. Originally starting off as the king of Thebes, Creon stated that Polynices should not be buried, and a domino effect occurred. Many of his family members died, all because of that one action, and he was left the king of Thebes, but he was all alone. As shown in the tale, Creon had everything - he was the king. He was in his prime,…

Words 592 - Pages 3