Morality In Antigone By Sophocles

There are many different moral levels that people have. People use reasoning that can be identified with a particular stage on Kohlberg’s moral development hierarchy. The higher stages of morality are not usually achieved, according to Kohlberg. One play called Antigone, one character, name Antigone, has a high level of morality. In Antigone, written by Sophocles, he conveys various moral hierarchy stages through character traits, reasoning, and moral development within this character Antigone is portrayed as being morally straight and obedient to higher standards. She has a high moral standard. For example, she argues to Ismene, “He’s my brother and yours too; and whether you will or not, I’ll stand by him.” (Sophocles, ll 52-53). This is showing that she is very dedicated to her family. She will …show more content…
Ethos is a type of reasoning that uses ethics. In this case, she says, “I will stay with him, my brother; and my crime will be devotion.” (Sophocles, ll 89-90). Basically Antigone feels that serving her brother is more important than obeying the law. This is showing that she places higher importance on moral ethics than human laws. In another instance, Antigone states, “Haven’t you heard? Don’t you see hatred marches on love when friends, our own people, our family are treated as enemies?” (Sophocles, ll 12-15). In short, she is saying that hatred is ruining her love for her brother in that Creon is treating Polyneices like an enemy by not giving him a proper burial. This goes against Antigone’s views which are that her brother deserves a burial regardless of what he did in his lifetime. This reasoning tells us that Antigone has high levels of morality her standards prove her maturity. This type of reasoning puts her at the fifth stage of Kohlberg's moral development hierarchy, which is social contract and individual rights. Antigone has proven to be at a very high moral state throughout this