What is the primary reason Antigone gives for defying Creon’s orders?

Antigone’s primary motivation for defying Creon’s orders is her commitment to obeying divine law, which she believes transcends the edicts of man. In Sophocles' play, Antigone firmly holds that the laws of the gods, especially regarding burial rites, must be upheld, regardless of human authority. She argues that honoring her brother Polynices with a proper burial is a sacred obligation, as it aligns with religious customs that dictate the respect for the dead. This deep moral conviction is portrayed as being fundamentally more important than political allegiance to Creon’s decree, which she perceives as unjust and an affront to the will of the gods.

While the other options may touch on aspects of her motivations—such as familial honor or acts of defiance—her core reason remains her adherence to what she believes are divine imperatives. This illustrates the central conflict in the play between human law and higher moral principles, highlighting the potential consequences of such a struggle.