Conformity And Nonconformity In SophoclesAntigone

The pressure to conform to society’s expectations has always been prevalent throughout history. Conformity is uncontroversial, while nonconformity is seen as detrimental to the rules that society imposes. In Antigone, the playwright, Sophocles, discusses how the choice to conform or not to conform can have an impact on one’s decisions. He utilizes the controversy surrounding the central conflict of the play, the death of Polyneices, to portray his characters’ attitudes towards conformity and nonconformity. Creon and Ismene are conformists because they believe in the absolute power of the law; whereas, Antigone is a nonconformist because she rebels against society’s rules. Creon’s conformity is apparent through the way in which he†¦show more content†¦For instance, when arguing with Antigone about Polyneices’ burial, Ismene argues that the â€Å"law is strong and they must give in to the law† (Pro. 49-50). She views the law as something that must not be violated, regardless of the circumstances. Ismene’s conformity is evident through her refusal to question the rules set in place by the authority. She is also incapable of making her own decisions. Ismene will plead guilty to Creon only if Antigone will â€Å"let [Ismene] say that she is guilty† (1.147). She is constantly seeking approval from others, and wants nothing more than to fit in with the majority. Even though Ismene was not present during Polyneices’ burial, she still conforms because of her desire to conform to the desires of others. In Noam Shpancer’s essay â€Å"You Are A Conformist, That Is, You Are Human,† Shpancer claims that conformity is inevitable for some people. He explains how â€Å"conformity is a part of our hardware, facilitating our survival and bringing us comfort.† (Shpancer). Ismene’s desire for conformity is directly related her survival. She refuses to defy the law or form her own opinions because she wants acceptance and comfort. While Ismene does not actively try to conform, it comes naturally to her, and she subconsciously adheres to the rules of society. Antigone’s disregard of the law displays her nonconformity. She is stubborn about her decision to bury Polyneices. When Ismene