Story Summary
In the tragedy Antigone Buries Polynices, a brave sister defies King Creon's decree to honor her brother, sparking a clash between state law and divine duty.
Following the bloody civil war of Thebes, the brothers Eteocles and Polynices lay dead by each other's hands. Creon, the new king, declared Eteocles a hero to be buried with full honors, while branding Polynices a traitor, decreeing his body be left to rot in the sun, unburied and unmourned. To the Greeks, a soul without a burial was condemned to wander the shores of the Styx forever. Antigone, sister to the fallen, could not bear this injustice. Despite the threat of death, she crept onto the battlefield under the cover of night. With her bare hands, she sprinkled dust over Polynices’ body and performed the sacred rites. When caught by Creon’s guards, she did not deny her actions. She stood before the king, arguing that the laws of the gods regarding family and mercy superseded the laws of any mortal man. Creon, blinded by pride and the need for order, sentenced her to be entombed alive, a decision that eventually led to the tragic ruin of his own house.
The Moral
The story highlights the conflict between the laws of man and the higher laws of conscience and divine duty.
“I was born not to join in hating, but to join in loving.”
Fun Fact
In ancient Greek culture, the duty of preparing the dead for burial fell almost exclusively to women, making Antigone's defiance a powerful assertion of her traditional female role against male political authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of Antigone Buries Polynices?
The moral centers on the struggle between civil law and moral conscience. It suggests that personal integrity and religious or family duties often outweigh the rigid, sometimes unjust, decrees of political rulers.
Why did Creon forbid the burial of Polynices?
Creon viewed Polynices as a traitor because he led a foreign army against his own city of Thebes. By denying him burial, Creon intended to punish him even in death and set a terrifying example for other potential rebels.
Who was Antigone's father?
Antigone was the daughter of Oedipus, the former King of Thebes who famously and tragically fulfilled a prophecy by killing his father and marrying his mother.
How did Antigone die in the myth?
After being sentenced by Creon to be sealed in a stone tomb, Antigone took her own life by hanging herself. This tragedy triggered the subsequent suicides of Creon’s son, Haemon, and his wife, Eurydice.
What happened to Eteocles?
Unlike his brother, Eteocles was treated as a defender of Thebes. He was buried with full military honors and the highest state ceremonies, as he died protecting the city from the invading forces.
Who wrote the play Antigone?
The most famous version of this story was written by the Athenian playwright Sophocles around 441 BC. It remains one of the greatest pillars of Western dramatic literature.