Antigone Questions on Divine Law vs. Human Law
Antigone
The moral and educational lessons conveyed by the play Antigone
The moral and educational lessons conveyed by "Antigone" include the importance of standing up for one's beliefs, the consequences of pride and stubbornness, and the conflict between individual...
Antigone
What does Antigone's quote "it is the dead not the living who make the longest demands" in Antigone mean?
Antigone's quote "it is the dead not the living who make the longest demands" highlights the importance of honoring the dead according to divine laws. She emphasizes that the demands of the gods...
Antigone
In Sophocles' Antigone, what does Antigone mean when she says "this crime is holy?"
When Antigone refers to her act as a "holy crime," she means that while burying her brother Polyneices defies Creon's edict, violating human laws, it aligns with divine laws, which she holds as...
Antigone
What is the main theme of Antigone?
A main theme in "Antigone" is the role of custom. The play asks the audience to consider if tradition and what is right ever come into conflict, and how is that conflict to be resolved. Antigone is...
Antigone
Why does Antigone's punishment suit Creon?
Normally, Antigone would be stoned to death for defying Creon's express orders not to bury Polyneices's body. But Creon cannot do that; he has to make an exception in her case. The reason is that...
Antigone
What does Ismene mean by "Remember we are women, we're not born to contend with men"? How does this relate to...
Antigone is trying to achieve the moral high ground in her argument with Creon. She knows that if she comes across as a criminal, he will shut down any chance she has of convincing him to change his...
Antigone
What is Antigone's defense against Creon's order in Antigone, and what is Creon's claim against her?
In Antigone, Antigone defends her actions against Creon’s order by insisting that she’s carrying out the will of the gods. Creon’s claim against Antigone is that she’s displaying hubris and acting...
Antigone
In Antigone, what conduct was Zeus punishing?
This is a good question, as the gods and Zeus in particular are very important within ancient Greece. A close examination of the play will show that Zeus is against several things. First, in...
Antigone
Antigone's motivations for defying Creon's order
Antigone defies Creon's order because of her loyalty to her family and the gods. She believes that divine law is more important than human law, and she feels it is her duty to ensure her brother...
Antigone
In Scene 2 of Antigone, how does Antigone justify her actions to Creon?
In Scene 2 of Antigone, Creon demands to know Antigone's reasons for going against his decree and burying the body of Polynices. Antigone says first that the decree was not "God's...
Antigone
How does Antigone portray divine law versus civic law?
The conflict between divine law and civic law drives much of the plot in the tragedy Antigone. Antigone represents divine law because she has chosen to bury her brother to fulfill the requirements...
Antigone
The relevance of themes and issues in Antigone to contemporary readers
Themes and issues in Antigone remain relevant to contemporary readers as they address conflicts between personal morals and state laws, the consequences of pride and stubbornness, and the struggles...
Antigone
Summarize Antigone's argument for Polynices' right to be buried.
Antigone believes that she has the right to bury her brother Polynices for two reasons. First of all, she's Polynices' nearest relative, and according to the traditional funerary customs it's her...
Antigone
Should Creon have changed his decision regarding Antigone? Why?
This question is entirely subjective, so one could argue either side. However, one could argue that Creon should have changed his opinion regarding sentencing Antigone to death for burying...
Antigone
Why wouldn't Creon reconsider denying burial rights to a traitor?
Creon has several reasons for refusing Polynices the culturally prescribed burial, just as Antigone has compelling reasons for insisting on it. He could have acted based on her reasoning,...