Antigone, Part IV

“Unwept, unloved, unwed,

I am led in misery

Down this final path.

Artwork: Antigone Leads Oedipus out of Thebes, by Charles François Jalabert (Musée des Beaux Arts, Marseilles, France)

With one foot in the grave, Antigone reflects on her actions and their consequences. She has no regrets, even though burying Polynices cost her everything in this mortal life. For her, honoring the divine laws is so much more important than submitting to the corrupt mortal laws of any ruler, including Creon. As she recognizes the inevitability of death, she accepts it with dignity. Here is a woman who remains true to her convictions and understands what it means to be driven by a higher moral duty. What Antigone challenges us to think about here is what hill we’re literally willing to die on. How do we stay true to our values and principles, even in the midst of great adversity and personal hardship? She doesn’t wish to be a martyr but her conviction gives her strength. She finds comfort in being aligned with what is morally right. And she remains steadfast because Justice demands it. Sometimes, the right choices doesn’t result in personal gain, but in a deeper sense of honor and integrity.