Antigone
...neices, who was slain while attacking Thebes. She is caught laying her brother to rest by Creon's watchmen and brought before the king. She justifies her action, asserting that she was bound to comply with the eternal laws of right and wrong in spite of any human rule as dictated by state law. The negative outcome for Antigone obligates her to a series of choices that she knows will result in her own execution. As a strong-willed woman, Antigone embraces the power of martyrdom. “And even if I die in the act, that death will be a glory.” (line 86). In her culture, the only power she can have is as a martyr, and by committing herself to becoming one she takes her purpose of life back into her own hands. As well as being a martyr, Antigone exhibited tremendous pride. This attribute causes her to have strength yet lend to her self-destruction. Part of this pride is her resistance to conform to laws of man. This allows her an affront to the state laws not to the moral law. If Antigone had chosen to follow state law, her life would have been spared, however her brother would not have had a proper burial. This devotion to a funeral rite reflected her commitment to the gods and her love towards her brother. King Creon portrays the opposition of Antigone through his divine dedication to state law. He orders a herald to forbid any funeral burial of the body of Polynices. “No, he must be left unburied, his corpse carrion for the birds, and dogs to tear, an obsenity for the citizens to behold!” (line 229 – 231). King Creon ignores any moral obligatio...