Antigone, the dissident

Writing about Sophocles' Antigone in the context of literature and law should be really interesting and engaging. However, after this year at Sciences Po, I am completely in capable of taking a side. That is to say, I have absolutely no opinion about whether or not Antigone is a brave dissident in the face of tyranny, or a glorified fool who doesn't know what law is and how to follow it.

I first read the play in 9th Grade, in Mr. Weisberg's English class. I think my final paper was something about taking pity on Creon (just goes to show you that at a young age I was already fascinated by political power). Is that a strange? Perhaps.

I've read now three times. Twice in French, over the past three months There's something about it that doesn't really speak to me. Maybe I have a hard time putting myself in Antigone's shoes because she's so whiny and overly dramatic. Because I'm never whiny and overly dramatic. Or because I've never been faced with a question or a cause that made me want to put my life on the line. One could argue, however, that Antigone had a death wish (considering her life had been shrouded in death), and so found the perfect opportunity to act on it.

I think for the purposes of my dissert', it's actually about the ambiguity of justice, and what kind of law we follow. Because if both sides make legitimate claims, but one is "human" law, or law of nations, and the other is natural law or even divine law, then how can you possibly reconcile?

This was a very helpful brainstorm for my paper. Much thanks. Tune in tomorrow for election craziness!