How does the play address the concept of civil disobedience?

Prepare for the Antigone by Sophocles Test. Delve into flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Ready yourself for success!

The correct answer highlights the core conflict of the play, which revolves around the tension between the laws of the state and individual moral obligations. In "Antigone," the title character defies King Creon’s decree prohibiting the burial of her brother, Polynices, because she believes that honoring the dead is a sacred duty that transcends human laws. This act of civil disobedience is portrayed as an essential assertion of personal ethics against unjust state mandates.

Antigone's struggle embodies the idea that moral law can conflict with state law, prompting audiences to reflect on the limits of governmental authority and the righteousness of individual conscience. The play ultimately presents this conflict without offering a simple resolution, emphasizing the complexities of justice, duty, and the consequences of defying authority for the sake of personal belief. This thematic exploration is central to understanding the moral dilemmas faced by the characters in the play.

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