"I would not consider any enemy of my country as a friend." In the play Antigone, written by Sophocles, Antigone finds herself torn between divine law and state law. The play opens at the end of a war between Eteocles and Polyneices, son of Oedipus and brothers of Antigone and Ismene. These brothers, fighting for control of Thebes, kill each other, making Creon king of Thebes. Creon, as king, gives an important speech to the citizens of Thebes, announcing that Eteocles, who defended Thebes, will receive a proper burial, unlike his brother Polyneices, who brought a foreign army against Thebes. This speech introduces the major conflict between divine law and state law. Moreover, Creon values ​​order and loyalty above all else. He cannot stand to be disobeyed or see the laws of the state broken by anyone, especially a woman. However, Antigone places her individual conscience and love for her brother Polyneices above and against the power and authority of the state, costing her her life. we are led, by those who are stronger, to obedience in this and even more painful areas. At the beginning of the play, Antigone and Ismene meet in the night. Antigone laments Creon's decree that anyone who attempted to bury Polyneices or mourn him was to be stoned to death. Although Ismene states that the sisters have no power in the situation, Antigone insists that she will bury Polyneices and asks for Ismene's help. Ismene declares that although she loves Polyneices, she must comply with the king's decree. Ismene, unlike Antigone, fears death. She believes she can't do anything. She reminds Antigone that they are in... middle of paper...... assistance, decides to give their brother a proper burial. Ismene feared helping Antigone bury Polyneices but offers to die alongside Antigone when Creon sends her to die. Antigone, however, refuses to allow her sister to be killed for a cause she did not have the courage to defend. The position of women is an important theme in this play. Gender impacts Antigone and her actions. Antigone does not openly emphasize her own gender, but Creon does, refusing to take over Antigone's punishment because she, a woman, broke his law. We can see Antigone as tired of restrictions and obsessed with death and martyrdom. Clearly, she is motivated by love for her brother and her deep conviction that divine law has been violated. However, becoming a martyr makes the consequences of one's action an added advantage rather than an obstacle..