Civil disobedience

Definition

Civil disobedience is the active, professed refusal to obey certain laws, demands, or commands of a government or occupying international power. It is often characterized by nonviolent resistance and is typically employed as a means to bring about social or political change by highlighting the perceived injustice of those laws or policies.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In the context of 'Antigone', civil disobedience is exemplified by Antigone's defiance of King Creon's decree prohibiting the burial of her brother Polynices.
2. Antigone's actions reflect a moral duty to uphold divine laws over human laws, illustrating a central theme of justice versus authority.
3. Civil disobedience in 'Antigone' raises questions about the consequences of challenging state power and individual versus collective rights.
4. Antigone becomes a symbol of resistance, as her refusal to comply leads to tragic outcomes that resonate with the idea that standing for one's beliefs can result in personal sacrifice.
5. The conflict between Antigone and Creon serves as a critical examination of governance, law, and ethics, suggesting that unjust laws warrant opposition through civil disobedience.

Review Questions

• How does Antigone’s act of civil disobedience reflect the tension between individual morality and state law?
  • Antigone’s decision to bury her brother Polynices despite King Creon’s prohibition showcases a profound conflict between her personal moral beliefs and the authority of the state. She believes that honoring the dead is a divine law that outweighs Creon's human decree. This tension illustrates how civil disobedience arises when individuals feel compelled to act according to their conscience, often in direct opposition to established laws.
• What are the broader implications of Antigone's civil disobedience for understanding social justice within the play?
  • Antigone's act of civil disobedience not only challenges Creon's edict but also raises critical questions about justice and morality in society. By prioritizing familial loyalty and divine law over human legislation, Antigone highlights the struggle for social justice against oppressive governance. Her actions prompt a reevaluation of what constitutes rightful authority and the consequences of standing up against perceived injustice.
• Evaluate the consequences of Antigone’s civil disobedience on her personal fate and its commentary on societal norms.
  • Antigone's civil disobedience leads to tragic consequences, including her death and the eventual downfall of Creon. This outcome serves as a powerful commentary on societal norms that often prioritize state authority over individual rights and moral obligations. It invites reflection on the sacrifices made in the name of justice and poses significant questions about the nature of law itself: should laws be followed unconditionally, or should individuals challenge unjust systems even at great personal cost?

Related terms

Protest: A public demonstration or gathering where individuals express their opposition to certain policies, actions, or societal norms.

Nonviolent Resistance: A method of protesting that seeks to achieve social or political change without the use of violence, often emphasizing peaceful tactics.

Social Justice:

The view that everyone deserves equal economic, political, and social rights and opportunities, which civil disobedience often seeks to address.