The Law In Sophocles Antigone

When it comes to the notions of the law in Sophocles’ Antigone, most of us will readily agree that there were many contrasting beliefs among the characters. However, where this agreement usually ends is on the question of whether the law of the divine or the law of man is superior. The many instances in which the law of the divine and the law of man clash in Sophocles’ Antigone, and the many instances in which the laws of the gods are disobeyed in Homer’s the Odyssey suggest that the law of the divine always prevails above all else.
To begin with, in Sophocles’ Antigone, religion and the state are not necessarily in alignment and are often contradicting each other. When looking at the contrasting beliefs between Antigone and Creon, with regards …show more content…
Looking at the differences between Penelope and the suitors, with regards to the rules of hospitality, Penelope demonstrated hospitality without question and the suitors showed lack of hospitality. It was obvious that Penelope honored the rules of hospitality without hesitation, even though it caused her great trouble. As Telemachus pointed out to Athena disguised as Mentes “all of them are suitors of my mother, and they ravage the household. She neither refuses the hateful marriage nor can she get rid of them once and for all.” (Homer, 230- 232). Penelope is not able to banish the suitors from her home because that would be violating and dishonoring the rule of hospitality, which is one of the most sacred laws set by the gods at that time in Greek culture. Both Penelope and Telemachus demonstrate hospitality towards the suitors because to them being hospitable is an act of respect that is as common as holding the door for someone in present time. Ultimately, those who show hospitality are rewarded in some way, which in Penelope’s case she is reunited with Odysseus after several years and is finally able to get rid of the