A tragedy is defined as a dramatic composition, often in verse, which deals with a serious or somber theme, typically that of a great person destined due to a character flaw or a conflict with someone overbearing force, such as fate or society, to fall or destruction. Sophocles' play Antigone displays many qualities that prove to be the epitome of a tragedy. Tragedy is usually marked by a person of great prestige, in this case a king, falling due to arrogance or extreme pride. Antigone proves to live up to both of these definitions, as demonstrated through her themes. Sophocles uses many techniques in this tragedy to contribute to the overall theme. This theme is accomplished 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 the overall theme of the tragedy. One of the main themes of Antigone is the abuse of power. Creon and Antigone cause the ruin of their lives as they show resistance to power. The two characters attempt to override divine law with the law of states, which leads to ruin. Creon, showing resistance to the moral law, denies Antigone the opportunity and right to bury her brother Polyneices. This is due to Polynices' rebellion against Creon, king of Thebes. Antigone represents a threat to the status quo. He gives up his life for his commitment to principles above human law: the moral law. Creon believes that the laws created by the king must be respected, no matter how large or small they are. Creon argues that the law created by the king is the platform for justice. On the other hand, Antigone believes that unjust laws exist, regardless of who enacted them. He believes he has a moral obligation to... middle of paper... at all costs, even to his own life. If you were to succumb to power, you would only show weakness towards your beliefs. Sophocles demonstrates that the law can be interpreted in various different ways and that there is a difference between moral laws and self-made laws. Despite both, there are obligations you have as a citizen and others as a family member. However, these can become intertwined and tangled and conflict arise. Works Cited Frank, Jill. "The Law of Antigone." 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. Network. 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. Press.