Antigone

The story of Antigone is a quite interesting one that involves the question, when religious beliefs conflict with laws of society, what should be the appropriate response? In the story, Antigone is faced with the dilemma of obeying Creon's decree that Polynice's body shall not be buried or following her religious duties and give Polynices a proper burial. This is a tough question and one that has been dealt with for almost as long as civilization has been around. When people's religious views conflict with laws or orders of the government does that person have a right to disregard the rules of the government? Tough question huh... For example, during World War I, some Americans had religious beliefs that were at odds with the idea of killing e.t. ("Thou shall not kill"). These Americans were called conscientious objectors. During World War I, these people did not have a choice, either they entered the draft or they were thrown into jail. This definitely made it a tough decision whether religious beliefs held priority over government authority, especially being faced with a penalty such as being thrown into jail. (During World War II conscientious objector's were able to have the option of performing a non-combat duties such as cooking, machinery, medic etc). In Antigone's case, she feels that the gods' authority is to be obeyed at all costs and is ready to die for her beliefs. Creon is almost the complete opposite and believes that the laws of the government must be followed for the well being of society. Both have legitimate arguments but neither one are willing to make concessions to the other and work through the problem to try to find a solution. As mentioned in class, this stubbornness is perhaps rooted in the pride and egotism of both Creon and Antigone...both think they are right and refuse to try to see things from any different perspective. The issue of pride is very difficult to overcome especially in an argument, this is where the two characters fail to recognize that everyone would be better off if they laid their pride down and tried to work things out. Oh well...arguing makes for a better story i guess...