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Sophocles also explores the themes of justice and piety in his dramatic works. One of the most notable plays that illustrates the juxtaposition of the terms is Antigone, in which the title character is forced to choose between her family loyalty and her obedience of state law. Set soon after the death of Oedipus, his two sons find themselves in a struggle for the throne. Eteocles has taken power in Thebes and forced Polynices out of the country, but as the eldest, Polynices assembles a foreign army to invade Thebes and reclaim his rightful throne. In battle, the two brothers kill each other, leaving Creon, their uncle, as the next legitimate king in the line of succession. Creon orders the noblest burial for Eteocles, and decrees Polynices"'" body should to be left to rot as befitting a traitor to the state. The law is strict; '"'whoever disobeys in the least will die, his doom is sealed: stoning to death inside the city walls'"' (Sophocles 60). Antigone is outraged at the discrimination between her two brothers and determines to give Polynices the proper rites of burial, fully aware of the consequences. Against the advice of her sister, she breaks the laws of the city to bury the body of her brother. When caught in the act, Antigone is brought before Creon and sentenced to death. In order to understand Antigone"'"s willingness to brave the consequences of breaking state laws, we must explore her motives. In '"'Oedipus At Colonus,'"' Polynices pleaded that his sisters give him proper burial, '"'the honored rites of death'"' (Sophocles 366). As his sister, Antigone could not refuse him such a service. She loved him enough to risk her own life: '"'Even if I die in the act, that death will be a glory.
Approximate Word count = 1097
Approximate Pages = 4.4
(250 words per page double spaced)
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