Religion. Family. Government. Arguably these are the three pillars of civilization.
Religion accounts for the beliefs and motivations of individuals, families, and entire countries. What we believe about ultimate questions of purpose, what is moral and immoral, how we should treat my neighbor, what duty God (or the gods) require of us, all of these are questions of religion. As a person believes so also he behaves. No person, even the atheist, is without religion.
Family, inaugurated by marriage, is the means by which children are reared and brought into the world. It is the first source of instruction as to their religious and civic duty. Children are also taught about what is owed to other members of the family. Reverence to God, honor and respect to all, obedience to elders, servant leadership to the younger. As it is taught and practiced in the family, so these principles are applied abroad to fellow citizens. Family provides for the emotional well-being of children, companionship to those who would otherwise be alone, provision of physical needs such as food, clothing, and shelter, and it also sees to the provision of education in arts liberal and practical.
Government is established by the people in order to secure and facilitate the common good of its citizenry. Government is supposed to provide protection from enemies of its people and to enforce just laws among its own people. This much is widely recognized as the purpose of government whether it be a monarchy, a democracy, or a republic.
We may reasonably ask, however, are these three pillars co-equal? Is one of them the fount from which flow the other two in descending order? Does the priority between them shift depending upon what situation is being considered? Is one of them definitely subservient to the other two? Could society survive if any one of these were to be removed? What are we to do when our duty to one of these pillars conflicts with our duty to another?
These questions are of central importance in our own lives and they are also central to the story of Sophocles’ Antigone. The first of three plays produced by Sophocles which surrounds the person and family of King Oedipus of Thebes. All three plays are tragedies. In this particular story we are invited to watch as Antigone, one of Oedipus’ daughters, pursues what she believes to be her most solemn duty. She, unhesitatingly and without question, believes that her mission supersedes every other claim on her obedience. It does not matter that death has been proclaimed to anyone who attempts to do what she is daring, nor that her sister begs her earnestly to reconsider, she will not be swayed. What duty is it that she knows she must perform? Well, you will have to read the story to find out.
Reading Two: Lines 173-416 (Coming Soon)
Reading Three: Lines 417-655 (Coming Soon)
Reading Four: Lines 656-1090 (Coming Soon)
Reading Five: Lines 1090-1470 (Coming Soon)