Antigone Close Reading: Pg. 82

“It wasn’t Zeus, not in the least… the great unwritten, unshakable traditions.”

These words from Antigone come after Creon had inquired as to why she had violated city law. And as we can see here, Antigone doesn’t hide any of her reasons from Creon. As she showed earlier in the play, Antigone believes strongly in the laws and traditions of the gods: “It wasn’t Zeus… who made this proclamation… Nor did that Justice… ordain such laws for men” (82). The passage showcases Antigone’s stubborn and foolhardy side as she doesn’t deny her violation of city law, but rather, boasts about her favor of the unwritten religious law. This pride in what she had done, and the bravery to oppose the king, is what separates her from the rest of the people who, as we find out later, also believe that Creon’s law is contradicting with the gods. But that belief alone isn’t enough. Earlier in the play, Ismene, who also believes that the gods’ laws are supreme, acts a foil to Antigone. While Ismene is thinking reasonably and cautiously, Antigone’s courage makes her look weak in comparison. Ismene’s rational is similar to that of the chorus, which makes for a stark contrast with Antigone’s bravery. Antigone’s willingness to follow through with her actions portrays Antigone in a heroic light, further separating herself from the people: “And still you had the gall to break this law? ...Of course I did” (81-82).

However, her monologue reveals more about her disdain towards humanity’s ever-growing ego. Antigone’s monologue takes on a decidedly scornful tone, especially in regards to the power of men: “Nor did I think your edict had such force that you, a mere mortal, could override the gods…” (82). Creon’s martial law puts Antigone in an awkward situation; having to choose between state law and religious law is not a decision to be made lightly. However, once she has decided that the “…great unwritten, unshakable traditions” are infinitely more important than her own life, she loses respect for human law, reinforced by her words later in her monologue: “These laws—I was not about to break them, not out of fear of some man’s wounded pride…” (82). Antigone’s choice words of “some man’s wounded pride” show clear disdain towards Creon’s power in comparison with the gods. Essentially, Antigone believes that human power has its limits, and Creon is over-stepping his boundaries.