Whenever we make decisions, there’s always a process involved. To put it in simple terms, its either you do it or you don’t. Nonetheless, why is it that we are reluctant to trust our own impulse at certain times? Sometimes, we care too much about what other people think and the standards that society holds against the outcome of our actions. It takes a certain mentality to be able to challenge those demons, but those who do are the ones that are able to instill a difference upon the world. Society is always there to set an ideal for us to follow, but knowing when something is wrong takes a different perspective upon the world.
Martin Luther King once said, “An individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is, in reality, expressing the highest respect for the law.” It was already an established precedent that no one could bury Polynices because of his perceived “unjust” attempt to reclaim the throne of Thebes. There was a duel between him and Eteocles, due to the latter’s unwillingness to abide by the agreement to alternate the throne every year. Consequently, they both died, Creon became the king and he commanded for an honor of burial for Eteocles, but not Polynices.
Throughout the play, Antigone is attempting to take the initiative to bury her brother, Polynices. The importance of this isn’t just regarding honor, but the importance of the afterlife in Greek mythology. Her failed attempt to piling some dirt on his corpse provides an outlook towards enabling him to enter the Elysian Fields, for instance. Going into the underworld as a fallen hero automatically stamps a privileged title upon oneself, and that’s the treatment that Antigone wants Polynices to be experienced.
“Give me glory! What greater glory could I win than to give my own brother decent burial? These citizens here would all agree, they would praise me too if their lips weren’t locked in fear” (Lines 561-565). This exemplifies the overall aspects of the society in Thebes during this play. Living in fear and intimidation definitely restricts the freedom of thought and expression. The impending penalty of death is what everyone is scared to stand up to, but is what makes Antigone stand out. She has the courage to risk her life for her brother because that’s the morally right thing to do. She kept on maintaining her resiliency, which depicts how great and heroic of a character that she actually is. It’s hard to stick to such a stubborn mindset when everyone is contrasting your views, so that’s what makes her efforts that much more significant.
