• Home Page
  • Eternal Law In Antigone And Into The Wild

Eternal Law In Antigone And Into The Wild

Improved Essays
Show More
Sophocles Concept of Eternal Law and Goods Shown in Antigone and Into the Wild In The Problem of Free Choice, St. Augustine describes two types of laws, temporal and eternal. Augustine believes temporal laws are made by the state and can change overtime. In contrast, eternal laws are laws that came about through reason. They can never be changed. There are also two types of goods, temporal and eternal. Temporal goods are not permanent, but eternal goods are. The concept of eternal law and goods can also be applied to characters in other works of literature. I believe that both Antigone, and Chris McCandless demonstrate eternal law and goods through their actions, thoughts, and beliefs. Sophocles play Antigone is based on eternal and temporal law. The main character in the play, Antigone, made her belief in the importance of eternal law known after her brother Polyneices died. Creon, the king denied Polyneices a proper burial because he was a traitor. Polyneices and his brother Eteocles were having trouble sharing power after their father, Oedipus the king, died. Polyneices went to a nearby city and used their warriors to fight his brother. He acted out against the state, breaking a state law. Antigone disagreed with the king and thought her brother deserved a proper burial even though he acted out against …show more content…
Eternal law said everyone was supposed to have a proper burial. I saw her belief in eternal law expressed when Creon asked her if she knew it was forbidden to bury her brother. Antigone responded to the question by saying, “Yes, for it was not Zeus that had published that edict; not such are the laws set among men by the justice who dwells with the gods below” (Sophocles 134). Antigone was willing to die for disobeying the temporal law because she knew her next life would last for eternity. Her willingness to die showed just how strong her belief in eternal law

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    Who Is Creon's Loyalty In Antigone
    • 1212 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Who Is Creon's Loyalty In Antigone

    Creon’s Prophecy Sophocles’ tragedy Antigone is a play that shows how a king’s power is blinded by his own fate. Creon is the King of Thebes, and he governs with political and social order. He is arrogant and shows no sympathy for others’ opinion because it is basically his way or the highway. Creon proclaimed an order throughout the city regarding one of the two-sister’s brother, Polyneices.…

    • 1212 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    How Does Creon Change In Antigone
    • 612 Words
    • 3 Pages

    How Does Creon Change In Antigone

    Antigone is a play about a young girl and her uncle whose beliefs conflict with one another. Creon is the king and has made a law about traitors and how they are prohibited from having a proper burial. Antigone’s love for her brother, Polyneices was unconditional that she had no choice but to against the law, even though she knew what Creon’s harsh punishment would be for breaking the law. Creon was a determine King and refused to back away from his law even if Antigone ignored it. As a King, he was forced not show his weakness because it would result in him being overthrown for letting a woman have an effect on him.…

    • 612 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    The Law In Sophocles Antigone
    • 1697 Words
    • 7 Pages

    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.…

    • 1697 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Creon's Choices In Antigone
    • 463 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Creon's Choices In Antigone

    In Sophocles play, Antigone, Creon’s choices demonstrate his qualities of a poor leader, choices that lead to the downfall of others. Creon’s first decision to prohibit anyone from burying the dead body of Polyneices causes conflict with his niece, Antigone. Antigone does not deny that she buried her brother and tells Creon,”It was not God’s proclamation. That final justice that rules the world below makes no such laws”. She tells Creon that his law was not a wise one, one that no god would ever make.…

    • 463 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Creons Role In Antigone
    • 1226 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Creons Role In Antigone

    “This girl here was already very insolent in/contravening laws we had proclaimed”, Creon expressed to the chorus leader in Sophocles’ play Antigone (542-544). Antigone was the sister of Polyneices and Eteocles. The two brothers shared the role of king because their father Oedipus passed away because others found out he killed Laius. Polyneices and Eteocles were instructed to rule Thebes alternatively each year by Creon. Eteocles did not want to give up the thrown to Polyneices after his year of ruling Thebes was over.…

    • 1226 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    A Comparison Of Power In Antigone And Anthem
    • 482 Words
    • 2 Pages

    A Comparison Of Power In Antigone And Anthem

    Antigone decided to defy the law and make it apparent that she wasn't one to be pushed around, especially since she was apart of the royal family. Although it is evident she isn’t looking for a position on the throne, she does want the power to bury her own brother. It was a simple task, but because Creon saw it as an act of portrayal, Antigone saw this as an opportunity to show how much power she really has. She buried her brother and it ultimately cost her her life but she says “ I am not afraid of the danger; if it means death, It will not be the worst of deaths--death without honor.”…

    • 482 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    How Does Antigone Cause Creon's Death
    • 1607 Words
    • 7 Pages

    How Does Antigone Cause Creon's Death

    Her words not only show her individualism, but also her immense courage. Instead of simply following the law Creon put into place, which she was completely against and viewed as unfair, she stood her ground. Why should someone go on following…

    • 1607 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    What Is Creon Duty In Antigone
    • 579 Words
    • 3 Pages

    What Is Creon Duty In Antigone

    Antigone by Sophocles is a play about a young woman name Antigone who buries her brother, Polyneices, even though the king, who is also Antigone’s uncle Creon , banned it. She then proceeded to fight with him and tells him that it is her spiritual duty. Creon says that his duty to his kingdom comes first. During the play, Creon’s actions are better than Antigone’s because he shows his strength as a ruler by putting law before family and religion.…

    • 579 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Justice In Antigone Analysis
    • 755 Words
    • 4 Pages
    • 2 Works Cited

    Justice In Antigone Analysis

    Santirocco, author of “Justice in Sophocles’ Antigone,” states, “ [Antigone and Creon are a lot alike] both are isolated, both are stubborn, both respond to others, including those who love them, in the same imperious way, and both doom themself and others by their actions. The greatest similarity, though, lies in their pursuit of justice” (186). Antigone knows from the beginning what her morals are, which are steering her actions. She felt she was on the side of justice for what she did, and leaving her brother out to rot in her eyes was unjust. Antigone knew the punishment that lied ahead, but because her love and relationship with her brother was strong she was unconcerned of the consequence.…

    • 755 Words
    • 4 Pages
    • 2 Works Cited
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    Main Conflict In Antigone, By Sophocles
    • 1573 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Main Conflict In Antigone, By Sophocles

    The German philosopher Hegel construed the play “Antigone” as “the tragic collision of right against right, with both sides equally justified.” This play was written by Sophocles, a Greek playwright, around 441 BC and gives us insight into his mindset on society and culture. The central conflict rises from the clash of the main character, Antigone, and her uncle, King Creon, over the role of man’s laws and god’s laws in society. Antigone’s two brothers Polyneices and Eteocles had slain each other in battle over the throne. King Creon, who was loyal to Eteocles, rendered Polyneices a traitor and decreed that his body shall not receive a burial.…

    • 1573 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Theme Of Loyalty And Power In Antigone
    • 1325 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Theme Of Loyalty And Power In Antigone

    Two major themes that run throughout Sophocles’ play Antigone are loyalty and power. Loyalty and power are what drive the play forward; this theme affects not only Antigone, but Creon as well. Both Antigone and Creon are affected by this conflict, but in different ways. Antigone is first introduced to us as a young and loyal girl to bother her brother and the gods, that only wants to make sure both her brothers have a proper burial; according to the laws placed by the gods if someone does not receive a burial there will be no way for family members to reconnect with them in their life after death. Creon, who is the king and Antigone’s uncle, sets a law in place that no one is to bury or even mourn the death of Polynices.…

    • 1325 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    The Importance Of Hubris In Antigone
    • 827 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The Importance Of Hubris In Antigone

    Antigone is determined to bury Polynices even though an edict was passed stating that no one was to give the dead prince a proper burial. She whole heartedly believes that her decision to bury him is justified and she is above Creon’s law because she is doing it out of love. When Ismene begs her to give up and says that her plan is madness, Antigone states “No one will ever convict me for a traitor” (Sophocles 362). She chooses to defy the city in order to satisfy her personal goals. She proudly claims to know what justice is; what is right and what is wrong.…

    • 827 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    Theme Of Blindness In Antigone
    • 1285 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Theme Of Blindness In Antigone

    In a greek tragedy “Antigone, Sophocles argues that insight is more valuable than eyesight by showing the consequences of blindness to the truth. He uses Tiresias the blind prophet as the basis of insight, he who does not have literal sight sees the inner nature of things. Creon the King of Thebes is used as an example of someone who has who has sight but is blind figuratively to the reality surrounding him. Creon is not the only character who is blind to something. Antigone the protagonist of the play is blind to the importance of Creon 's decisions.…

    • 1285 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Creon's Conflicting Values In Antigone
    • 523 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Creon's Conflicting Values In Antigone

    In the play “Antigone,” Sophocles manifests Creon and Antigone's distinct conflicting values to address the issue of government authority over the people. Creon’s regard for the laws of the city causes him to abandon all other believes and therefore, he feels that all of the citizens should obey the laws set forth by him, even if other beliefs, moral or religious, state otherwise. On the other hand, Antigone holds the belief of the gods in high reverence which is proven when she states, “A sinless sinner, banned a while on earth, But by the dead commended; and with them I shall abide for ever. As for thee, Scorn, if thou wilt, the eternal laws of Heaven” (Antigone 9; Act 1). Antigone elevates religious law over the law of the state which causes her to neglect the king’s will and bury her brother’s body.…

    • 523 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Antigone Civil Disobedience Analysis
    • 1011 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Antigone Civil Disobedience Analysis

    She believes that the law of the gods is superior to any other law, even though Creon, the new king of Thebes, orders that Polyneices body is not to be buried as punishment for his wrongdoings. Antigone knew that by burying her brother, she would be put to death, yet she felt so strongly about doing the right thing in the eyes of the gods that she had to go and bury her brother anyway (Sophocles 37). Antigone’s civil disobedience of the law is very direct. Instead of trying to protest the unfair treatment of Polyneices’ body and get together a group of people to try and get the law to be changed, she favors direct action and does the burial ritual as well as covering the body with dirt against the rules of king Creon. It is not only the rules of the gods that influences Antigone’s civil disobedience, but also her brotherly love for Polyneices.…

    • 1011 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More

Related Topics

Ready To Get Started?
Discover
Company
Follow
©2024 Cram.com
Privacy Policy |  About Ads |  Site Map |  Advertise  | 
  • Cookie Settings