“Antigone” – Devine Law versus State Law

English 112


“Antigone” – Devine Law versus State Law




The story Antigone is a real life story where the question of right and wrong, can and has been debated by many critiques. The story in my opinion comes down to what is a decision between divine law and state law. Is someone right or is someone wrong? In reading the story I could easily find reasons in support of both sides.

In Mary Whitlock Blundell’s critique she states that both leading characters in the story are alike in several ways” (2059). Each are strong willed single-minded individuals who are believers in their convictions Antigone, who is the daughter of Opedisus, broke the law set by the King (state law). She freely admits this to the King, “Yes, I confess; I will not deny my deed” (Sophocles 2023). Creon is the king of Thebes who has broken the law of the gods (divine law). Each of their reasons for doing so is the establishment of the conflict, but once established the core con...