Moral Law V. Written Law (PUB 1)

In the play Antigone by Sophocles, the main theme presented is Written Law vs. Moral Law. Written Law are the rules within a region enforced by a more powerful figure which must be followed. If the

rules are notfollowed, punishment will most likely be ordered. In this instance, Creon, the King of Thebes, orders that no one will give Polyneices a proper burial or they will be sentenced to death.

Moral Law are the rules of behavior someone may follow out of the private conscience. Antigone wants to give her brother, Polyneices, a proper burial. She wants to do what is morally right and honor her brother’s life. A conflict arises within the play due to these two principles. After Eteocles and Polyneices kill each other in duel, Creon honors Eteocles’s life and gives him a proper burial. As for Polyneices, Creon orders that he be left in the street to rot due to Creon feeling disrespected by Polyneices’ behavior and actions. Creon says, “I here proclaim to the city that this man shall no one honor with a grave and none shall mourn. You shall leave him without burial; you shall watch him chewed up by birds and dogs and violated” (Creon, 222-225). The written law ordered by the King states that no one will touch this body; Antigone feels this is unfair and will risk everything to do what is morally right and give her brother a proper burial. Ismene, the sister of both Polyneices and Antigone, warns Antigone that she shouldn’t break the law by saying, “I will not put dishonor on them, but to act in 

defiance of the citizenry, my nature does not give me means for that” (Ismene, 90-92). Unlike Antigone, Ismene respects Creon and follows the written law presented by him. Antigone is a rebellious, passionate and loyal sister putting forth so much effort for her brother’s burial.

She is unfazed by what Creon has to say, and knows the consequences she will face if she follows through with her plan. Antigone says, “I shall be a criminal-but a religious one” (Antigone, 84-85). Creon is a

remorseless, stubborn man who is willing to kill his own niece, Antigone. Creon is driven by anger and will show no mercy against anyone. Despite following the written laws, Antigone is going to do what is morally right and give her brother the burial rites she thinks he deserves.

Written Law vs. Moral Law causes a big problem within the play Antigone by Sophocles. Creon disregarded the moral belief of others and it ended up costing him the lives of close relatives. Creon is new to the throneand doesn’t want people to think he is weak, so he is a one-sided ruler with rigid laws. Although Antigone went behind Creon’s back to bury her brother, she did was morally right and honored the life of a loved one, just as anyone would do.