Order in the Court!

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I am here today to convince you of the guilt of Antigone, who has willfully and unlawfully violated the decree set down by King Creon and buried her brother, Polyneices. She has attempted to defend herself by saying that, “it was not Zeus that had published me that edict; not such are the laws set among men by the justice who dwells with the gods below; nor deemed I that thy decrees were of such force, that a mortal could override the unwritten and unfailing statutes of heaven,” (Sophocles, 85). This, however, is not the point. Regardless of whether her actions violated the “unfailing statutes of heaven,” Antigone has violated mortal law, and must be punished for her misdeeds.

Antigone’s own sister, Ismene, supports her guilt as well. She says “Howbeit, the offence is the same for both of us,” (Sophocles, 126), implying that they have both committed the crime.

King Creon has been quite clear in his will: he has stated “leave him unburied, a corpse for birds and dogs to eat, a ghastly sight of shame. Such the spirit of my dealing; and never, by deed of mine, shall the wicked stand in honour before the just…” (Sophocles, 37). Antigone has directly violated this edict, and so she is guilty.

The most obvious proof of all, however, is that Antigone herself has admitted repeatedly to her crime. She has said, “I avow it; I make no denial,” (Sophocles, 81), clearly stating that she has committed a crime. Whether or not other witnesses can be believed, the truth comes straight from Antigone’s mouth. She is guilty, and must be sentenced.