What motivates Antigone to risk her life?

Antigone is motivated primarily by her love for her brother, Polyneices, and her belief in the importance of familial honor. In the play, Antigone feels a strong moral obligation to ensure that her brother receives a proper burial, regardless of Creon’s edict forbidding it. This act of defiance stems from her deep loyalty to her family and the values instilled in her about respecting and honoring the dead.

She believes that divine law supersedes human law, and her commitment to her brother and the traditions of burial rites represents her prioritization of familial bonds over her own safety. This profound dedication is a central theme in the play, highlighting the conflict between human law and natural law, and showcasing Antigone's courage and conviction in standing up for what she believes is morally right.