A tragedy is defined as a dramatic composition, often in verse, dealing with a serious or dark theme, usually that of a great character destined because of a character flaw or a conflict with an overwhelming character. force, as destiny or society, to fall or destruction. Sophocles' play Antigone has many qualities that prove to be the epitome of tragedy. Tragedy is usually marked by a person of great position – in this case, a king – who falls due to hubris or extreme hubris. Antigone proves to live up to both of these definitions, as its themes prove. Sophocles uses many techniques in this tragedy to contribute to the overall theme. This theme is achieved by creating emotions in readers to evoke understanding of the theme. In the play Antigone, Sophocles uses the themes of pride, power, and femininity to convey his overall theme of tragedy. One of the major themes of Antigone is the abuse of power. Creon and Antigone condemn their lives by showing resistance to power. Both characters attempt to override divine law with state law, which leads to ruin. Creon, showing resistance to the moral law, refuses Antigone the possibility and the right to bury her brother Polyneices. This is due to Polyneices' rebellion against Creon, the king of Thebes. Antigone poses a threat to the status quo. She gives up her life because of her commitment to principles higher than human law – moral law. Creon believes that the laws created by the king must be respected, no matter how small they are. Creon argues that the law created by the king is the platform of justice. On the other hand, Antigone believes that there are unjust laws, no matter who made them. She believes she has a moral obligation to...... middle of paper ......efs at all costs, even her own life. If you succumb to power, you are only showing weakness in your own beliefs. Sophocles proves that law can be interpreted in different ways and that there is a difference between moral laws and self-created laws. Despite one or the other, there are obligations that one has as a citizen and others as a member of the family. However, these can become intertwined and tangled, resulting in conflict. Works Cited Frank, Jill. “Antigone’s Law.” Law, culture and human sciences. 2006. 336-40. ProQuest.Web. March 17, 2014. Foley, Helene P. and Sean Gurd. “Female Acts in Greek Tragedy.” Phoenix 57.1 (2003): 150-2. ProQuest. Internet. May 17, 2014. Sophocles. Antigone. Literature and the writing process. Elizabeth McMahan, Susan X. Day and Robert Funk, Linda S Coleman. Backpack ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice, 2010. 605-640. Print.