What is the punishment for disobeying King Creon's edict?

The punishment for disobeying King Creon's edict in "Antigone" is indeed death. Specifically, Creon decrees that anyone who attempts to bury Polyneices, who is deemed a traitor, will face the death penalty. This harsh punishment reflects Creon's rigid adherence to law and order, as well as his need to assert his authority as king. The public stoning, while not explicitly mentioned in the play, represents the societal consequences of defiance against Creon's will, reinforcing the theme of loyalty to the state versus individual moral duty.

Creon's edict serves to illustrate the central conflict in the play, as Antigone chooses to honor her brother and the divine laws of the gods over the unjust laws set by Creon. This sets up a tragic interplay between personal conviction and the authority of the state.