In Sophocles' Antigone, two brothers, Polyneices and Eteocles, battle for power and commit fratricide "killing each other, and a series of shocking events stems from the misfortune. These events eventually result in a struggle between morality and politics that brews in the city of Thebes. .
A conflict arises when Antigone, sister to the two dead brothers, openly defies the decree of Creon "who was recently restored to power by the death of Eteocles as ruler of Thebes. He declares that the body of one brother, Eteocles, will be honored and receive a noble funeral, while Polyneices will suffer the punishment characteristic for traitors "no burial, with his flesh left out for hungry dogs and vultures. The vile defilement of a human body seems to shock the people of Thebes, and Antigone refuses to let her brother's body be desecrated. Without a proper burial, it was believed that the souls of the dead would be unable to cross into the underworld. .
Although his declaration seems to be harsh, Creon expects the people of Athens to strictly adhere to his orders. In making this decision, Creon has to deal with a conflict of acting as what he considers to be a good ruler and with what he believes is morally right. Although he should consider the moral side of the issue, Creon does not feel that it applies to the situation. He believes that his decision, although severe, is the right one and does not suffer from moral wrongs. This belief contributes to the conflict between morality and politics because Creon does not bear in mind that many others feel condemning Antigone is performing a moral injustice. Creon's family, advisors, and the people want him to forgive Antigone for her actions, but Creon insists that this would undermine his power in the eyes of the people. He wishes to use Polyneices as an example that he is just and will not bend the rules in the case of family members.
