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Ethics in Antigone

Summary:   From the times of kings and warlords to the days of presidents and peacekeepers, men and women have often found themselves in a position where their ethics are being questioned.

From the times of kings and warlords to the days of presidents and peacekeepers, men and women have often found themselves in a position where their ethics are being questioned. Society has seen leaders of the world go against their moral reasoning for the "good of the people." A Greek thinker, Aristotle, wrote in The Ethics, "It is the way that we behave in our dealings with other people that makes us just or unjust, and the way we behave in the face of danger, [...], that makes us brave or cowardly." In reference to this quote, one may suggest that Creon's actions were unjust in the Greek tragedy, Antigone.

Creon, King of Thebes, had ordered the body of Polyneices, brother to Antigone, to be left on the ground, hereby refusing him burial rights. Antigone hence, defies Creon and buries her brother and the king justifies the act of sentencing Antigone to death after defying him by claiming that acting against the law destroys nations. The controversy surrounding Creon's actions lies in the fact that his decreed punishment is not proportional to the crime Antigone committed. It appears as though Creon was acting out of pride and anger when he says to the Chorus "so we must stand on the side of what is orderly; we cannot give victory to a woman, [...], but those two girls he shall not save from death." He insinuates that all women should be submissive to men and the laws of men at all times that he forgetfully suggests punishing Antigone's sister as well. Moreover, Creon had been cautioned against his actions. Teiresias, a blind prophet, warns Creon, "These acts of yours are violence, on your part, [...] and in their [avenging Spirits of Death and the gods' Furies] hands you shall be taken cruelly." In addition, Haemon, Creon's son also advises his father, "The man who keeps the sheet of his sail tight and never slackens capsize his boat...Yield something of your anger, give way a little." Yet Creon did not listen until it was too late and because of this he lost everything that was of value to him. The tragedy clearly implies that Creon acted unjustly towards Antigone because he was punishing her for his own personal reasons thinking he was benefiting the society.

Furthermore, Creon's injustice is amplified by the reason behind Antigone's actions. Antigone willingly went against Creon's law because she was driven by what she felt was love and honor for her brother. She believed there was a higher law than that of Creon's that should be obeyed. She states in the play, " I did not believe your proclamation had such power to enable one who will someday die to override God's ordinances, unwritten and secure." Thus, Antigone was disposed to give up her life to pay respect to her brother in death. Antigone knew that Creon's law was unfair and unjust and even though she knew her position as a woman may undermine her actions, she was prepared to take the risk. Though, it may appear that she was acting a little extreme and somewhat fanatical with her readiness for death, what other symbol of love and honor is stronger than that of self-sacrifice? As a result, the people of Thebes sympathized with Antigone; hence, Creon was portrayed as unjust.

Put simply, Antigone had a moral right to honor her dead brother even though she acted against the law of the king, for there is a higher law that exists. Creon should not have passed that law for it led to his downfall and as a king, he should have listened to the people and the warnings given. As Aristotle suggested, the way we interact with each other makes us just or unjust. Antigone was portrayed as courageous, whereas Creon was portrayed as cowardly. Therefore, it is evident that every man and woman should place ethical codes above those of any other, for those shall continue to exist even after we have passed away.