Two Wrongs Do Not Make a Right

Two Wrongs Do Not Make A Right

Sophocles play Antigone is composed of thoughtful actions that were carried out in the wrong ways. The duty towards family and the duty towards the state are the conflicts that are shown in the play Antigone. Antigone, in her mind, does what she feels is correct towards the family and its values. Creon acts on what the state and laws lay down as the correct action.

In the play, Kind Oedipus has been killed and has left two sons to become the new king. In agreement, they make a comprise where each brother will rule a year and then step down to allow the other his place. Being the oldest, Eteocles became the first king. When it was Eteocles time to step down, he refused and that led to a war between brothers, Eteocles and Polynices. Eteocles and Polynices killed each other equally in duel leaving Oedipus's brother Creon the new king. Creon declared Eteocles to be buried with honors and for Polynices to be rot in the a field with no burial.

Antigone wants both of her brothers to be buried seeing as they killed each other equally. She is upset that the unfair treatment was given to her brother by their own uncle. When Creon was declared king, he was bounded in his commitment to the state and could not venture away from the law. Antigone’s sister, Ismene, understands why Creon made that decision and respected that. Antigone states “Creon buried out brother Eteocles / With military honors, gave him a soldier's funeral / and it was right that he should..” she understands why Creon gave Eteocles a proper burial but not Polynices when they both died in the same way, “:but Polyneices / Who fought as bravely and died as miserably,