Close Reading -Antigone

p. 82: It wasn’t Zeus, not in the least,

who made this proclamation—not to me.

Nor did that Justice, dwelling with the gods

beneath the earth, ordain such laws for men.

Nor did I think your edict had such force

that you, a mere mortal, could override the gods,

the great unwritten, unshakable traditions.

The theme of divine law versus human law is presented in this passage. Antigone is put in a position where she has to choose between honoring her brother, by doing so, also submitting to the unwritten laws of the gods, and yielding to Creon’s decree. Creon feels like he, as ruler and as a man, is being mocked by Antigone’s actions. His ego is the main drive for his attack over Antigone. Antigone valiantly accepts full responsibility for her honorable decision to give proper burial rites to her brother, stating that a “mere mortal” cannot “override the gods, the great unwritten, unshakable traditions.” Antigone knows she is doomed for death by choosing to side with the gods’ will, but to her, that is the only option she has. By not defending her brother’s human rights, she would consider herself a traitor for dishonoring the gods and her family. Contrastingly, Creon believes the law he has set forth is supported by the gods because it favors faithfulness to the city. Creon considers the city to be sacred. In his words, “And whoever places a friend above the good of his own country, he is nothing” (p.67). Creon, however, does not realize that he is setting a law negating a divine law. The gods dislike hubris and punish those who are arrogant as a reminder of their status as human.

Antigone stands alone against Creon and the city because everyone else is intimidated by Creon. Antigone’s insubordination to the city’s law shows her character as heroic and strong-willed. As a female character, her noncompliance goes against the roles of women of her time. Conversely, Ismene and the Chorus are a prime example of the passive behavior of people who do not stand up against what they believe is wrong. Antigone is heroic, and does not submit to a mere human. Only the gods can bend Antigone.