Antigone
Positive Law vs. Natural Law; Do what you believe is right; This is a phrase common to us all, this is the main focal point of in the play Antigone, written by Sophacles. But how does one define what is right? Is it what we believe in our hearts, or is it what we know is acceptable? Antigone is one of the earliest records of the conflict between Natural law and Positive law. Sophocles exposes these two philosophical standpoints and their respective moral and political aspects by way of the two main characters, Antgone and Creon. Antigone believes in Natural law, while Creon practices the Positivist approach. Both characters deem their behavior superior towards the other, and both assume religious justification for their actions. Sophocles ultimately proves that with so much support for each philosophical standpoint, a solution to the dilemma is hardly in sight. Natural law can be considered the morally correct approach to authority and justice. It is the idea that one should make decisions based upon what they deem morally appropriate. Antigone's support of this approach is apparent in her refusal of Creon's order to let polyneices body out in to open to decay. She defies his law and buries Polyneices anyway. She loves Polyne
With both characters assuming religious approval for their actions, it is impossible to exploit any mistakes that may exist within the two philosophies, making a conclusion that much more difficult. When two dissenting viewpoints such as Positive law and Natural law convene amongst a central issue, there is hardly ever a just conclusion. Throughout the play, each character rattles off the reasons for their actions. Both also justify their actions religiously, believing they are the ones acting accordingly by the gods. The entire plot is a construction of conflict between personal and social motives, a scene not uncommon in today's society. Sophocles attempts to answer the debate by ultimately showing that the gods approved of Antigone's motives and that Creon should have buried his nephew. But with so much unnecessary bloodshed committed at the end of the story, it is impossible to believe that this is the final decision. The two contrary perceptions, Positive and Natural, are so built up against each other that violence is practically unavoidable. This is hardly a solution to the debate, the fact that everyone dies. Rather, it is a sign that the debate will live on for all of eternity. ices and believes in her heart that there is no other alternative. She is aware that by burying him she would be breaking the law and risking her own life for it. "I will bury him myself. If I die for doing that, good: I will stay with him, my brother; and my crime will be devotion" (87-90). To her this is the only morally acceptable solution. Her support of Natural law resolves her to perfo
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Approximate Word count = 1073
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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