The Burial at Thebes

The foundational element that potentially forms the very fabric of a just and equitable coexistence of people in society is ethics. Most conflicts and animosity between people in society are brought on by immoral behavior. Through a variety of characters and how others react to their deeds, The Burial at Thebes explores the idea of ethics. The performance touches on a number of important topics, including politics, civil rights, and religious freedom. Notably, the controversy surrounding Polynices’ burial serves as the play’s primary subject and affects how the characters act, perceive, and respond. The play portrays the characters’ ethical and unethical actions that elicit other characters’ responsive actions and opinions. This paper seeks to analyze the ethical or unethical actions of the characters, and how these actions influenced the outcome of the tragedy in the play.

To begin with, the issue of civil rights is brought about in the conversation between Creon and Antigone. Creon questions the later why she decided to disobey him after he gave an edict that Polynices’ body should not be buried, but instead, it should be left on the battlefield as a show of disgrace. Antigone, on the other hand, does not deny the accusations and defends herself for disobeying him. She exudes confidence in her actions and explains that her actions are ethical and further questions the morality of Creon’s decision to disgrace Polynices. From this conversation, it is evident that Antigone is quite confident about her actions and that she is convinced that her decision to bury her brother-Polynices- against Creon’s edict was the right thing to do. One may argue that Antigone’s actions were indeed ethical and that her conviction that she had done the right thing further confirms this.

According to Paul and Elder, people are capable of acting in a manner that increases or reduces the value of other individuals in the society (5). What the authors imply is that people who make ethical decisions are driven by the urge to add value and show dignity to other individuals in the society. In this case, Antigone chooses to stand by her decision to dignify her late brother by barring him against the edict of Creon. Notably, she goes ahead and executes her plan with the knowledge that Creon will punish her for the same.

The issue of civil rights is brought out in this scene in the sense that Antigone believes that she has the right to bury her dead brother’s body despite the ruler’s edict against it. Moreover, she questions the morality of Creon by his decision to disgrace Polynices. Also, she seems convinced that Creon does not have the right to banish Polynices in favor of Eteocles. One may consider actions rational and justifiable given that Polynices died alongside his brother Eteocles while the latter was fighting for his rightful place on the throne. Therefore, it is not ethical for Creon to disgrace him for attempting to claim his right. Moreover, Antigone’s conviction that her action is moral because Creon decision was unfair and infringement of her civil rights is reasonable.

Another issue that is brought out as is religious freedom. Laborde describes religious freedom as the principle that allows an individual or group of people to manifest their beliefs through practice, worship or teaching in private and public (52). The issue of religious freedom is quite controversial just like it is portrayed in the play. Any attempts to restrict an individual from practicing his or her religion may be considered unethical. Such actions are represented in the play when the blind prophet Tiresias dialogues with Creon. Tiresias warns the later that the gods are unhappy with his actions and that he will lose a child because of his unethical action. He further spells doom to Creon by telling him that the whole of Greece will dislike him and that the gods will not accept his sacrifices (Mastin n.p). Creon, having been terrified by these prophecies, agrees to set pardon Antigone of her disobedience and allows her to bury Polycines.

Evidently, Creon is shaken by Tiresias’ prophesies because he believes that they might come to pass (n.p). It implies that he recognized the significance of burying the body of Polycines, but he still opted to issue an edict meant to ensure that his body is not buried. Moreover, he denies Antigone her freedom of proceeding with the burial by imposing a punishment on her if she dares. Paul and Elder affirm that “The ultimate basis for ethics is clear: Human behavior has consequences for the welfare of others” (5). This statement implies that whenever someone does unethical actions, then they are likely to interfere with people’s lives negatively and vice versa. In the case of the play, Creon’s action to restrict Antigone from burying her brother was evidently unethical. As such he interfered with her peace of mind thus forcing her to disobey him despite the threat of punishment.

Another issue that is addressed on the play is politics. The issue is brought out by the manner in which Eteocles and Polynices embark on a deadly fight over the throne. Politics further plays out in Creon’s unethical decision to disgrace Polynices after the latter’s death on the battlefield. This is displayed by the conversation between Creon and Antigone, in which the former accuses the latter of disobedience and warns her that he would punish her for burying the dead brother against his edict. Antigone responds by questioning the morality of his decision. Indeed, Antigone has the right to question the morality of Creon’s behavior. It is because Polynices died while fighting for what was rightfully his, just like their father had prescribed.

Notably, Creon is attempting to use his power and authority to avenge the death of his predecessor-Eteocles. His actions are however met with defiance and disapproval by his subjects. Unethical ruler or leaders often disregard the rule of law and make decisions that serve their interests. However, individuals who believe in that the society should be run with principles that uphold morality strive to shun and oppose such unethical leaderships. Paul and Elder assert that an individual can do what is ethically right if he or she is convinced that it is indeed ethical and that it does not impact other people negatively (8). They imply that an individual can stand up against any person who acts unethically, provided he or she is motivated by the belief that it is the right thing to do. This idea reflects on Antigone action to carry on with burying the brother against Creon’s edict. Arguably, Antigone’s action is ethical, and one may commend her for confronting Creon and questioning his moral standards concerning the issue.

Judging from the play, it is clear that people’s actions tend are motivated by either ethical or unethical reason. Therefore, it is imperative that individuals consider the impact that their actions can have on others before they embark on them. Moreover, everyone deserves to be respected in the society and any decision that discriminate other people’s beliefs is unethical. Most importantly, one should always make ethical decisions and stand by them against any contradictions or threats.

Work Cited

Laborde, Cécile. ”Equal liberty, nonestablishment, and religious freedom.“ Legal Theory 20.01 (2014): 52-77.

Mastin, Luke. ”Antigone - Sophocles - Ancient Greece - Classical Literature.“ Classical Literature - Tragedy, Lyric Poetry, New Comedy, Satire, Epic Poetry ... and Much More, 2009, www.ancient-literature.com/greece_sophocles_antigone.html. Accessed 16 June 2017.

Paul, Richard, and Linda Elder. The thinker’s guide to understanding the foundations of ethical reasoning. Foundation Critical Thinking, 2006.