Chad Weinstein
Professor Avra Spector
Critical Lens Essay
Antigone
The Separation of Religion and State is Crucial for the Success of Democracy
The story Antigone, a greek classic written by Sophocles’ evaluates the relationship between religion and the state (government’s) role in Greek society. In 441 b.c., there were many different forms of government in Greece–every city was their own separate city-state and established their own form of government. Antigone takes place in the Greek city-state, Thebes, whose King throughout this play is Creon. Oedipus stepped down as king and gave the throne to his two sons, Etocles and Polynices, who agree to alternate the throne each year, but show little concern for their father. Oedipus is angered by this and curses them to kill the other in battle. After his first year Etocles refuses to step down and in retaliation Polynices attacks Thebes- this is betrayal Creon says Polynices committed. This word needed sets the stage for Sophocles to present the main struggle and central theme of the play: the relationship between religion and the state. This relationship is evaluated through the character of Antigone and Creon. Creon claims that Polynices does not deserve to be buried or mourned and should not be buried which is against the Greek religious belief at the time. Antigone, the sister of Polynices and Isemene, insists to Ismene that she will bury Polynices, and asks for her help. Ismene states that she loves Polynices but she must follow the king’s decree because she does not want to risk being punished by death. Antigone exhibits one of the earliest ideas of modern democracy- the separation of ‘church and state’ is crucial for the success and longevity of any democracy.
An important ideal in Ancient Greece was the belief that the government has no control in matters concerning religious beliefs. From Antigone’s perspective, Creon betrayed that ideal by not allowing her to properly bury her brother according to Greek religious law (the gods). She believed Creon did not have power to deny that right. Antigone took this belief straight to the grave and never wavered as evidenced by the line; “I go, his prisoner, because I honoured those things in which honour truly belongs” (Sophicles, Antigone). The use of the word “his” in this line outlines the fact that Antigone was a personal prisoner of Creon himself not a prisoner of Thebes or the state. The phase “his prisoner” can also be interpreted by the reader or audience member that Creon’s decision to capture Antigone was not a decision that was backed by majority of the people. She feels that the king, Creon, is abusing his power by taking a personal stance on the issue.
Creon is ruling by the ideal that man supersedes the gods and religion and is first and foremost most important. In other words, the good of man came before the gods’. This word needed is emphasized by the chorus stating: “There is nothing beyond (man’s) power” ((Armstrong The great transformation: the beginning of our religious traditions 2007 pg 475)
In this quote, Creon is directly asserting his power over the gods and rejection of them. This line paints Creon as a tyrant. Creon is setting an example that man comes before religion by using Polynices corpse as a symbol of this ideal. He stated: “No man who is his country’s enemy shall call himself my friend.” (Antigone Line 189). This statement is out of respect of their city-state, Thebes, by not burying Polynices who from his perspective betrayed their beloved city. If one looks at it from that point of view, his actions are supported by his ideals and justified. Throughout the story, most of Creon’s ideals align with the Greek ones of the time accept the very strong contradiction where political oppression exists and a lack of freedom of religion. Creon defied theses throughout the play.
The separation of religion and the state also appears in the form of divine law compared to human law. The play opens with this debate between the sisters Antigone and Ismene. Ismene’s beliefs are aligned with the law of the land and the ruling authority. She says:
“I yield to those who have authority” (line 57) while Antigone denies this authority that she believes Creon does not possess in the matter of burial she exclaims “He [Creon] has no right to keep me from my own!” (line 48). Ismene statement in line 57 is aligned with the traditional roles that women played in society. She feared man more than she feared the gods. However, in contrast Antigone fears the punishment of the gods for not burying her brother more than she fears Creon even though she is aware it will ultimately end in her death. This is supported by the Chorus comments:
Such loyalty is a holy thing/ Yet none that holds authority/ Can brook disobedience. O my child,/ Your self-willed pride has been your ruin” (lines 872-875).
This is evidence she has done a great deed for her brother and the first time the text openly acknowledges that the religious laws and laws of the state are in direct conflict.
To conclude, the separation of religion and the state is of great significance from ancient times to modern times. In the United States, democratic republic is set up based upon many fundamental ideas originated from Ancient Greece. Playwright’s specifically dramatic playwrights always wrote about the key issues of the time- the theater was an open format to critic the current news and political atmosphere at that time. The whole community would come to the theater to view performances. Sophicles ends the play with a tragic ending with the death of Antigone, it is up to the viewer to decide was it just that she died for what she truly believed in?