A variety of intriguing themes are present in the Greek tragedy Antigone by Sophocles, grasping them promotes the understanding of the play's central contentions and provokes thought on universal issues. A number of literary devices are employed during the process of establishing, and delivering these themes, and symbolism is one which is frequently utilized. Conflict between divine law and state law is one of the most powerful and subversionary themes present, primarily presented through the characterization of Antigone and Creon as their respective symbols. By disregarding the laws of her uncle to follow the gods' laws, Antigone's values line up with that of holding divine law above all else, whereas Creon forcing individuals to abide by
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She cares not for state laws as represented by Creon. Throughout the play, she continuously expresses this sentiment, for example: "We have only a little time to please the living, / But all eternity to love the dead. / There I shall lie forever. Live, if you will; / Live, and defy the holiest laws of heaven." Here, she is addressing her sister Ismene, who refuses to aide Antigone in burying their brother Polynieces. For Antigone, life is but a fleeting moment compared to the eternity of the afterlife, hence "… all eternity to love the dead", she values the afterlife and how her actions will affect it significantly more than the present moment. Furthermore in the same statement, Antigone tells her sister (whom she now regards as cowardly) to "live and defy the holiest laws of heaven" thus expressing her utmost love for the gods and their laws, the superlative adjective "holiest" further elucidates this. One of the first statements Antigone makes in the play is: "You know how heavy the hand of God is upon us;", this highlights that for Antigone, burying her brother is both acting on her dedication to the gods and fulfilling a pure sense of duty - the "hand of God" is a symbol of the Gods' will. Both of these aspects are what propels her into vehemently defying the laws of
She cares not for state laws as represented by Creon. Throughout the play, she continuously expresses this sentiment, for example: "We have only a little time to please the living, / But all eternity to love the dead. / There I shall lie forever. Live, if you will; / Live, and defy the holiest laws of heaven." Here, she is addressing her sister Ismene, who refuses to aide Antigone in burying their brother Polynieces. For Antigone, life is but a fleeting moment compared to the eternity of the afterlife, hence "… all eternity to love the dead", she values the afterlife and how her actions will affect it significantly more than the present moment. Furthermore in the same statement, Antigone tells her sister (whom she now regards as cowardly) to "live and defy the holiest laws of heaven" thus expressing her utmost love for the gods and their laws, the superlative adjective "holiest" further elucidates this. One of the first statements Antigone makes in the play is: "You know how heavy the hand of God is upon us;", this highlights that for Antigone, burying her brother is both acting on her dedication to the gods and fulfilling a pure sense of duty - the "hand of God" is a symbol of the Gods' will. Both of these aspects are what propels her into vehemently defying the laws of