Galileo states, "You cannot teach a man anything, you can only help him discover it within himself." In other words, one can go so far to help or guide another in the right direction. However, it is up to the individual who wants to learn to actually figure it out for themselves. In the Play Antigone , by Sophocles, Antigone herself goes against social norms for a woman during the time period 496-406 B.C.E. She displays great bravery and is emphasized as the protagonist character. Antigone's brothers, Polynices and Eteocles have killed one another in a war for control over their city Thebes. Their uncle Creon now rules the city. The tragic class between moral law and civil law forms the basis of this heroic tragedy when Antigone challenges her uncle and his decision to not give Polynices a proper burial after his death
Antigone feels it is her duty to bury Polyncies because her Uncle made the decision to honor one brother and dishonor the other. Creon is convinced that polynecies is a traitor after he attacked Eteocles with an army. "… When you say the gods took forethought for this corpse. Is it out of excess of honor for the man, for the favors that he did them, they should cover him? This man who came to burn their pillared temples, their dedicated offering and this land and laws"(Lines: 313-318). Antigone believes her actions should not be kept in secret "Oh, oh, no! shout it out."(Line 99). In this time period, people are raised around the idea of religion and family. In the eyes of Antigone, she feels her act is not considered a crime however a way to honor her family."I myself will bury him. It will be good to die, so doing. I shall lie by his side, loving him as he loved me"(lines 82-84). As humans, we are aware of our own integrity and morals. The human condition, in relation to Antigone moral conscious , it is in her nature to do what she is doing. To fight for what she believes in, even though she feel no one approves of her actions. Her sister on the other hand, Ismene, refuses to take any part in burying polynecies since she believes it to be ignoble. Ismene states, "I will not put dishonor on them, but to in defiance of the citizenry, my nature does not give me means for that (Lines 90-93)." When Antigone is questioned by Creon, she does not deny her deed however she confesses. "I did not believe your proclamation had such power to enable one who will someday die to override God's ordinances, unwritten and secure(Lines 469-99)." In other words, Creon puts his own laws before the religious ones and Antigone argues that she will not disrespect the laws of god. " They are not of today and yesterday; they live forever; none knows when first they were. These are the laws whose penalties I would not incur from the gods, through the fears of any man's temper(Lines 500-503)." Creon refuses to listen or understand and states how a "woman" will not tell him what to do. One could conclude that gender inequality is the real issue ."We cannot give victory to a woman(Line 729)", and "When I am alive, no woman shall rule(Line 577)."
Antigone and Creon both symbolize the conflict of man.vs man when a royal proclamation against burying Polyneice occurs. Throughout the play, Antigone shows great bravery and confidence when it comes to defending her brothers honor . Having power is not about the titles or statuses one acquires but about one life influencing another. Creon chose power over family and in the end, "the good dies young and the ungrateful have everything." To an extent.