What is Antigone's primary conflict in the play?

Antigone's primary conflict centers on her commitment to family versus the state’s laws. In the narrative, she faces the differing demands of her loyalty to her deceased brother Polyneices, whom she feels obligated to bury according to familial duty and divine law, and the edict established by Creon, which prohibits the burial of traitors. This creates a profound moral dilemma for Antigone: should she obey the laws of the state or uphold her personal and familial beliefs?

Her actions reflect a deep sense of ethical responsibility toward her family, showcasing themes of loyalty, honor, and the conflict between individual duty and state authority. This internal struggle not only drives the plot but also illustrates the play’s exploration of moral and civic obligation, making it clear that Antigone’s conflict is rooted in her unwavering commitment to her family against Creon’s authoritative decree.

The other choices, such as rivalry with Creon or a desire for glory, are secondary to the fundamentally personal and ethical struggle she faces. Her struggle for love, while essential to her character, is not the central conflict driving her actions within the context of the play.