Antigone: A Young Woman's
Search for Justice​
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She is a young woman who, by worldly standards, holds no real power. And yet, in her pursuit of justice, she stands fearlessly against authority. While the ruling powers prioritize order and stability above all else, she stands for the simple, human bonds of family and community, of affection and respect. I am speaking, of course, of Antigone in Sophocles' play of the same name, written in the 5th century BCE. She is a relevant in our time as she was 2,500 years ago. Sometimes it takes great courage to respond to a divine calling - whether from God or the gods - when patriarchal power holds sway. The calling it is to take care of people, including, in Antigone's case, her deceased brother who deserves to be buried, state decrees notwithstanding. She must break the law for love's sake.

​- Jay McDaniel

​The Plot

The plot of Sophocles' Antigone revolves around a tragic conflict between divine law and human law, family loyalty, and the dangers of absolute power. Here’s an outline of the key plot points:

1. Background and Conflict

• The play is set in Thebes shortly after a brutal civil war, in which the two sons of Oedipus—Eteocles and Polyneices—have killed each other while fighting for the throne.
• Creon, their uncle, becomes the new king and decrees that Eteocles, who defended Thebes, will receive a hero’s burial, while Polyneices, who attacked the city, will be left unburied as punishment for his treason. Leaving a body unburied is considered a great dishonor in ancient Greek culture and a violation of divine law.

2. Antigone’s Decision

• Antigone, the sister of Eteocles and Polyneices, is determined to defy Creon's edict, believing that the laws of the gods, which demand burial rites for all the dead, take precedence over the king’s command.
• Her sister, Ismene, is too fearful to join her, warning Antigone of the dire consequences. Despite Ismene’s pleas, Antigone resolves to bury Polyneices alone, even if it means her death.

3. The Act of Defiance

• Antigone secretly buries her brother, performing simple funeral rites. When Creon learns that someone has defied his decree, he orders a guard to find the culprit.
• The guard catches Antigone and brings her to Creon. She openly admits to her actions, unrepentant, asserting that the king’s laws do not supersede the eternal laws of the gods.

4. Creon’s Stubbornness and Haemon’s Plea

• Creon is furious and unyielding, insisting that Antigone must be punished to maintain law and order in Thebes.
• Haemon, Creon’s son and Antigone’s fiancé, tries to reason with his father, arguing that the people of Thebes sympathize with Antigone and that Creon’s harsh stance is unjust. Creon, however, sees Haemon’s opposition as a personal betrayal and accuses him of being controlled by Antigone.

5. Antigone’s Imprisonment

• Creon decides to imprison Antigone in a sealed tomb, leaving her to die slowly rather than executing her directly, hoping to avoid direct responsibility for her death.
• Antigone accepts her fate with dignity but laments the injustice of her punishment. She bids farewell to life, seeing herself as a martyr to divine justice.

6. Prophetic Warning and Tragic Consequences

• Tiresias, the blind prophet, warns Creon that the gods are displeased with his actions, predicting that Creon’s refusal to bury Polyneices and his punishment of Antigone will bring divine retribution.
• Initially, Creon accuses Tiresias of corruption but, shaken by the prophecy, he eventually agrees to free Antigone and properly bury Polyneices. However, he acts too late.

7. Catastrophe and Resolution

• By the time Creon reaches the tomb, Antigone has already hanged herself.
• Haemon, distraught over her death, attempts to kill Creon in a rage but ultimately turns his sword on himself, dying beside Antigone.
• When Creon returns to the palace with Haemon’s body, he learns that his wife, Eurydice, has also taken her own life upon hearing of her son’s death.

8. Creon’s Downfall and Regret

• Broken and guilt-ridden, Creon faces the tragic consequences of his actions. He is left alone, having lost his family due to his stubbornness and misuse of power.
• The play concludes with a somber reflection on the dangers of pride and the necessity of humility, as the Chorus reminds the audience that reverence for the gods and wisdom born of suffering are essential to human life.

Antigone: A BBC Discussion
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Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss what is reputedly the most performed of all Greek tragedies. Antigone, by Sophocles (c496-c406 BC), is powerfully ambiguous, inviting the audience to reassess its values constantly before the climax of the play resolves the plot if not the issues. Antigone is barely a teenager and is prepared to defy her uncle Creon, the new king of Thebes, who has decreed that nobody should bury the body of her brother, a traitor, on pain of death. This sets up a conflict between generations, between the state and the individual, uncle and niece, autocracy and pluralism, and it releases an enormous tragic energy that brings sudden death to Antigone, her fiance Haemon who is also Creon's son, and to Creon's wife Eurydice, while Creon himself is condemned to a living death of grief. With Edith Hall, Professor of Classics at Durham University: Oliver Taplin, Emeritus Professor of Classics, University of Oxford, and Lyndsay Coo, Senior Lecturer in Ancient Greek Language and Literature at the University of Bristol. Producer: Simon Tillotson

​Antigone

National Theatre (UK) Production (2012)
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Process and Antigone

Authority, Morality, and
​the Conflicts of Loyalty

In Antigone, we meet a society divided: on one side stands Creon, the king, who represents a commitment to order, stability, and obedience to civil law, believing that even in times of crisis, unity under lawful authority must be maintained. On the other side is Antigone, who defies Creon’s decree by choosing to bury her brother—a form of transgression that she sees as loyalty to a higher, divine law that commands her to honor family above all else, even at personal risk.

This tension is mirrored today. In our world, some are drawn to symbols of order and stability, often viewing transgression as a threat to societal cohesion that must be curtailed. Others see certain acts of resistance, even those that seem lawless or radical, as expressions of a deeper loyalty—to family, community, or a transcendent sense of justice. Like Antigone, they argue that some laws must yield to higher moral imperatives, especially when those laws contradict compassion or fidelity to kin.

Antigone invites us to reflect on where we draw these lines. It challenges us to consider: When does upholding the law come at the cost of our humanity? And when does defying it become a necessary stand for values that transcend the law itself? In exploring these themes, Antigone becomes more than a tale from ancient Greece; it becomes a mirror for our modern struggles with authority, morality, and the limits of loyalty.

The plot of Antigone, a tragedy by the ancient Greek playwright Sophocles, centers around themes of loyalty, defiance, and the struggle between individual conscience and state law.

After a civil war in Thebes, King Creon, the ruler of the city, decrees that Polynices, who fought against the city, will not be given a proper burial and his body will be left unburied on the battlefield as punishment. However, Antigone, Polynices’ sister, feels bound by divine law to honor her brother and give him a burial, believing it is her duty to the gods and her family, despite Creon's decree.

Defying Creon’s orders, Antigone buries her brother, which leads to her arrest. Creon is furious and unyielding, believing that Antigone's defiance undermines his authority as king. Despite the pleas of his son Haemon (who is also Antigone's fiancé) and others who warn him against such a harsh punishment, Creon sentences Antigone to be entombed alive.

As Antigone faces her fate with unwavering conviction, tragedy unfolds. The prophet Tiresias warns Creon that the gods are angered by his actions, but it’s only when disaster seems imminent that Creon finally relents and decides to free Antigone. However, he arrives too late: Antigone has already taken her own life in her prison. Haemon, in his grief, kills himself, and upon learning of her son’s death, Creon’s wife, Eurydice, also takes her life.

By the play’s end, Creon is left devastated and alone, realizing too late that his stubbornness and pride have brought about the destruction of his family. The tragedy concludes with a message about the dangers of excessive pride and the need to respect divine law above human authority.

Antigone’s Loyalty to the Lure

Several themes in Antigone resonate deeply with process philosophy, particularly those involving relationality, the tension between individual conscience and societal structures, and the notion of tragedy as an integral aspect of existence. Here are some key connections:

1. Relationality and Interconnectedness:

In process philosophy, everything exists in relationship with others, and each decision reverberates throughout the interconnected web of existence. Antigone’s decision to honor her brother despite the king’s edict shows her deep sense of relational duty—to her family, to the gods, and to a higher moral order. This relational stance contrasts with Creon’s isolated, rigid adherence to law, which disregards the complexities and needs of those around him, ultimately leading to relational collapse in his family. Process philosophy would emphasize the importance of understanding oneself as part of a network of relationships rather than as an isolated individual.
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2. Conscience and Divine Lure:

Antigone’s sense of duty to her brother can be seen as an example of a divine “lure,” or the sense of a higher calling that guides her choices. Process philosophy suggests that each individual is lured by possibilities toward deeper values such as compassion, justice, and love. Antigone is drawn by a sense of moral and spiritual obligation that transcends Creon’s decree, prioritizing a divine law over human law. This mirrors the process view that moral actions are guided by a “lure” toward the good, even if this leads to conflict with established structures.

3. The Tragic Dimension of Existence:

Process philosophy, like Antigone, acknowledges that life is filled with tragic elements—conflicts between incompatible goods, suffering, and loss. Creon and Antigone’s clash is tragic because both have valid perspectives: Creon’s concern for social order and Antigone’s for familial loyalty and divine law. Process thought sees the tragic not as an error to be corrected but as an inevitable part of life’s complexity, suggesting that true depth and wisdom come from confronting rather than avoiding tragedy.

4. Pride and Flexibility:

Creon’s downfall highlights the dangers of excessive pride and rigid authority, as he clings to his decree despite numerous warnings and pleas. Process philosophy encourages openness, flexibility, and responsiveness to the needs of the moment. Creon’s failure to adjust his stance ultimately leads to his isolation and grief, underscoring the importance of humility and adaptability. His rigidity stands in stark contrast to the process ideal of an open, adaptive approach to life and decision-making.

5. The Consequence of Actions in a Web of Becoming:

Process philosophy teaches that every decision affects the ongoing process of becoming, impacting future possibilities and relationships. Creon’s unyielding stance sets off a chain of events that leads to tragic consequences, demonstrating how actions ripple through the web of life. The play reminds us that each act of inflexibility or compassion affects others in profound and unpredictable ways, shaping the future in ways that are beyond immediate control.

6. Divine and Human Law:

In process thought, divine guidance is not about absolute control but about persuasion and lure, inviting individuals toward the highest possible good without coercion. This dynamic resonates with Antigone’s actions, as she chooses divine law over human law, following what she perceives as a sacred duty rather than succumbing to Creon’s authoritarian decree. The play’s exploration of divine versus human law parallels the process idea of a relational, persuasive God who invites rather than commands, allowing for human freedom and responsibility.

7 Transformation Through Suffering:

Process philosophy views suffering as a potential avenue for transformation, where even painful experiences contribute to the richness of existence. Creon’s tragic loss forces him into self-reflection and a humbling recognition of his failings, hinting at a possible path toward transformation. While this change is not without suffering, it aligns with the process view that growth and insight often arise from confronting and integrating painful realities.

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Several interpretations of Antigone can cast Creon in a more sympathetic light, especially if we focus on his motivations as a ruler tasked with maintaining order. Here are some ways Creon’s actions might be viewed with greater understanding:

1. Duty to Stability and Law:

Creon’s primary motivation is to protect Thebes from anarchy and civil unrest. After a brutal civil war, Creon’s decision to deny Polynices a proper burial was intended as a deterrent to traitors and a message of loyalty to the state. He sees law as the basis for peace and stability, believing his actions are for the greater good, even if they come at a personal cost.

2.Responsibility as a Leader:

Creon feels an acute responsibility to ensure the welfare of his people, viewing personal sacrifice as part of his role. His refusal to yield on Polynices’ burial, while harsh, is his attempt to uphold an image of strength and decisiveness, essential qualities for a ruler in a crisis. From this perspective, Creon is a tragic figure caught between his moral duty to his family and his obligations to his people.

3.Fear of Disorder and Revenge:

In a society where vendettas and family loyalties can quickly lead to more violence, Creon’s strict enforcement of laws may be seen as a necessary, if flawed, attempt to prevent further bloodshed. By establishing clear boundaries, he aims to prevent future acts of rebellion that could destabilize Thebes.

4.Struggle with Divine and Human Law:

Creon’s actions raise questions about the clash between human law (his edicts) and divine law (the gods' demands for burial rites). In some interpretations, Creon’s insistence on his law might reflect a tragic overreach, but it could also show the difficulty of ruling in a realm where divine mandates and human authority conflict. His character could be seen as wrestling with an impossible choice, underscoring the complexity of governance in a world with competing moral systems.

5.Creon’s Growth and Self-Realization:

​Toward the end of the play, Creon begins to realize the consequences of his actions. His journey can be interpreted as one of tragic self-discovery, where he acknowledges his limitations and the tragedy of his rigidity. This gives his character a sympathetic arc, where he learns too late the price of his adherence to law over compassion.

While Creon’s inflexibility and refusal to heed warnings make him culpable in the play’s tragedy, viewing him as a ruler faced with impossible decisions allows for a more nuanced understanding. His struggle highlights the painful consequences of balancing individual morality with the demands of leadership.

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Process philosophy sides with Antigone’s commitment to a relational duty that transcends rigid laws but also recognizes Creon’s dilemma. In Antigone, we encounter a clash that speaks directly to the tensions between individual conscience and state power, between loyalty to family and loyalty to societal order.

On one hand, Antigone’s defiance represents a commitment to a higher moral and spiritual calling—what process thought might describe as a “divine lure”—drawing her toward honoring her brother despite the threat of death. Her actions reflect an alignment with values of relationality, compassion, and loyalty, central to process philosophy’s emphasis on interconnectedness and the guiding influence of deeper, sometimes conflicting, moral calls.

Creon, however, embodies the voice of authority, bound by his role as a ruler to maintain stability after a civil war that nearly tore Thebes apart. His insistence on enforcing the law, even against his own family, highlights his conviction that order, peace, and obedience are essential for societal survival. While his stance may seem inflexible, it reflects a painful understanding of the burdens of leadership—Creon genuinely fears the chaos that could arise if loyalty to the state gives way to unchecked individual action. Process philosophy would acknowledge the legitimacy of his concerns while suggesting that his downfall lies in his inability to adapt, to let his values respond to the relational complexities around him.

In process terms, both Antigone’s resistance and Creon’s rule are not just conflicting choices but tragic dimensions of existence. Each represents a commitment to a different “good”: Creon’s to societal cohesion, Antigone’s to familial and divine loyalty. The tragedy, then, is not only in the actions of one person but in the clash of these goods that cannot coexist without cost. Process thought would suggest that growth and wisdom arise not from rejecting one of these goods but from holding both in tension, recognizing the tragic beauty inherent in such conflicts.

Through the story of Antigone, we are invited to question the costs of loyalty to law versus loyalty to humanity, and to consider when the demands of authority may undermine our compassion and relational obligations.

​Process philosophy, ultimately siding with Antigone, would argue that the lure of justice and love must take precedence over static decrees. Yet, it also encourages us to understand Creon’s plight—a ruler trapped by his responsibilities and belief in the necessity of law, unable to yield until it is too late. In this tragic unfolding, we see the call for a deeper, more adaptive approach to power—one that honors the relational depth of human experience and is responsive to the divine lure that calls us to compassionate acts, even at the risk of defying the order we hold dear.

- Jay McDaniel in Partnership with ChatGPT

​Antigone Freely Adapted
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A Young Woman's ​Search for Justice

"A modern take on Sophocles’ Greek tragedy, Antigone, is Canada’s selection for the Best International Feature Category to the 92nd Academy Awards...The French language drama, by writer and director Sophie Deraspe focuses on the treatment of immigrants in Montreal through the story of a young woman’s search for justice...The film, revolves around Antigone, whose life as a Canadian refugee and immigrant is turned upside down when one of her brothers is wrongfully killed during a drug arrest, and another is taken into custody...As the protagonist played by newcomer actress Nahema Ricci confronts the police, she finds herself against the entire judicial and penal system. In her striving to prove the truth and free her brother, she is forced to defy the laws of men and become a warrior of love and solidarity."

“It’s about a young woman who has no power in terms of what power is in our world … and she stands against authority because of what she believes. That’s what the film wants to carry — that OK, there’s this big system above us, but we are those that are powerful deep inside.”

from Neos Kosmos. Click here,
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