What symbolically represents the conflict between belief and law in the play?

Antigone’s act of burying her brother serves as a powerful symbol of the conflict between personal belief and state law. In the play, Antigone is driven by her familial duty and moral convictions, rooted in divine law, to ensure her brother Polynices receives a proper burial. This act of defiance against Creon’s edict, which prohibits the burial, illustrates the struggle between individual ethics and societal laws.

Creon, as the ruler of Thebes, represents the authority of law and order, prioritizing state rules over personal loyalties. Antigone's commitment to her beliefs directly challenges this legal authority, highlighting the tension between the two. Her willingness to face death for what she sees as a sacred duty emphasizes how deeply she values her beliefs over the consequences imposed by the law. This conflict embodies one of the central themes of the play, illustrating how rigid adherence to law can lead to tragedy when it conflicts with moral imperatives.