Laws

-Teiresias pg. 202 line 1136-1142 -- Creon, acting as a ruler dealing punishment to the enemies of his land, goes against the sacred rites of burial, as Teiresias points out in the quote above. Creon then is an instance of earthly folly conflicting against divine law, by ignoring what the gods have decreed and going by his own judgement. Teiresias’ warning illustrates the importance of those laws, and the higher place they always take over the decisions of mortals.
 * "...for you have thrust one that belongs above below the earth, and bitterly dishonored a living soul by lodging her is the grave; while one that belonged indeed to the underworld gods you have kept on this earth without due share of rites of burial, of due funeral offerings, a corps unhallowed."**

-Chorus pg. 168 line 233-234
 * "To use any legal means lies in your power, both about the dead and those of us who live."**

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-- This quote by the Chorus is reflective of Creon’s attitude before his tragedy begins to unfold. As king, an earthly position, Creon mistakenly assumes the affairs of the dead to be under his control, an area governed by divine rule. The grave offense of Creon’s against the gods is shown in this quote, in that he forgets his place, and as his fate demonstrates, going out of touch with the sense of divine right leads to harsh consequences. ======

-Antigone pg. 181 line 570 - In this quote by Antigone, she is arguing with Creon about the burial of her brother. As Creon argues that in his death he went against the country, so by their laws his body cannot be honored, Antigone is arguing for the higher power as though humans have their laws in the greater sense the god’s laws rule all and should be thus be followed first. -This quote adds the characterization of Antigone being a headstrong girl, going directly against what Creon said and even taking the name of the gods in her argument.
 * "The god of death demands these rites for both."**

-Teiresias pg. 200 line 1086-1088 -In this quote by Teiresias, the blind prophet is talking to Creon warning him of the consequences his choices will lead to. However, Creon chosses to ignore the wise advice, taking in only his own beliefs and staying strong to them.
 * "Yield to the dead man; do not stab him -now he is gone -what bravery is this, to inflict another death upon the dead?"**

-Antigone pg. 162 line 25-29
 * "Yes, indeed; for those two brothers of ours, in burial has not Creon honored the one, dishonored the other? Eteocles, they say he has used justly with lawful rites and his in the earth to have his honor among the dead."**

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-- In this passage Antigone is explaining to Ismene how Creon dishonored their brother by leaving him unburied. According to the earthly laws Creon’s actions were totally acceptable and reasonable, but Antigone has decided to value the divine laws more and wants her brother to have a burial. Divine law states that everyone should have a proper burial no matter who they are. ======


 * Hyperbole** is used by Teiresias for rhetorical effect. To inflict "death upon the dead" is what Creon is figuratively doing, and the literal impossibility of the term is used by Teiresias to enhance the point he is making.


 * Contrast** can be seen in most discussions that are held between Antigone and Creon. Creon as the king of Thebes has to follow rules and laws he has set and Antigone has chosen to please the gods instead of Creon. "Creon honored the one, dishonored the other" (25-29) according to the divine laws, but according to the laws set by Creon he didn't intentionally dishonor the other person, he was just following the law.