Antigone: A Short Story

When I awoke, I found myself standing upright in a large cave facing a wall of stone, which struck me as odd until I remembered the events that had recently transpired. Quickly, I shook myself and turned away from the wall to a sight that made me gasp in awe. A line of people extended for what was at least a mile, winding their way over to the river that ran between this land and the underworld itself. I joined the queue and waited for my chance to cross the Styx. The second I hopped off the boat and onto the other bank, the land I had arrived at transformed. People bustled all around, most happily chatting, but some bickering over anything from petty disagreements to family feuds. The majority of these were men, but a couple in the corner
They began immediately, Creon lambasting Antigone over her love for her brother Polynices, one that he claimed was not shared with anyone else in the city and how it was shameful to her reputation (525). Here, however, is where I stepped in. I asked Creon to consider my opinion, and he grudgingly agreed, at which point I set upon him with a vengeance. "You claim it is shameful," I said, "to stand up against the majority when in reality it is just the opposite. Antigone believes her actions to be just, so it is nothing short of a requirement for her to support them, no matter the unpopularity it may bring." He responded one must obey the law, with no special permission or treatment granted to anyone regardless of status (497-99, 539-40). "The law must be observed," I agreed, "but there is a point where the law is no longer just, and that is the time when the people must stand up for the justice demanded by the universe." Well, he replied, if not the law then at least a subject's ruler must be respected, his decisions viewed as correct, and his actions left unquestioned(677-79). "Ah, but that idea of yours is useless for the same reason as the first. A leader may make a just decision, and then his subjects will let it pass, unhindered, on its way to benefit the city. Should a king make a choice for nobody but himself, however, it is not just the right but also the duty of the people to stand
He explained to me that since I viewed these propositions of his as evils, it was money I should blame, for it can corrupt and control anyone and anything (303-08). I nodded, saying "Money is a manipulative thing, it causes people to seek the wrong goal and move away from justice towards the realm of evil. Wealth does not bring goodness, but goodness does bring blessings (31A)." Seemingly satisfied with my response, he nodded, a smug smile crossing his face as he looked at Antigone before bidding us both