Moral Law v. Divine Law in Sophocles' Antigone

Nomos versus Physis in Sophocles' Antigone <Tab/>Sophocles' dramatic masterpiece Antigone centers around the conflict between Antigone and Creon on many different levels, all of which contribute to the philosophical war between the two characters. Most of the action revolves around Antigone and her beliefs. One of the most notable conflicts is that of mortal duties opposing divine duties, or more clearly, state law (nomos) versus moral law (physis). Antigone feels …

…that the tragedy in this play belongs to Creon (1343). Antigone "gave reverence to what claims reverence" and died a noble heroine, which was pleasing to the gods and elevated her status (942). Her death was a tragic event, but she was not a character that was overpowered by a tragic flaw. Creon allowed his obsession with order to outweigh his sense of morality, and it was this shortcoming that caused the ill-fated end of the play.