In a democracy, people choose representatives to lead and govern them. However, these representatives could take unpopular actions. In such cases, people may demonstrate their disapproval of a policy and express their grievances through acts of civil disobedience. Henry Thoreau said: “It is not desirable to cultivate respect for the law, but rather for right. » It is both a person's right and responsibility to fight an unjust law, and civil disobedience allows a person to convey their thoughts and ideas in a passive, non-violent manner. In Sophocles' Antigone, written in 442 BC, we find one of the earliest examples of civil disobedience. The play emphasizes the individual's right to reject their government's violation of their freedom to fulfill a personal obligation and highlights the struggle one faces in doing so. More importantly, it shows how such actions help advance the cause of democracy. This reinforces the belief that the opinion of each individual is important in a democracy and makes a difference. Eventually we see Creon realize his mistake – his stubbornness – which teaches him that he must have room for more than one opinion. Additionally, at this time, women were not considered equal citizens, but Antigone's actions caused people to rethink the extent of equality in Athenian democracy. In Antigone, King Creon issues an edict against the burial of Polyneices because he was considered a traitor. Although death is the punishment for breaking this edict, Antigone goes on and buries Polyneices. She believes that as a citizen and sister, it is her right and her responsibility to do so. Creon undermined the principles of democracy by suppressing people's freedoms based on his personal opinions. In a society that was greatly renowned......middle of paper......visual freedoms. We can say that democracy learns from its mistakes and improves, taking into account changing times and customs. In summary, Antigone decides to express her displeasure with what she sees as King Creon's unethical new regime by burying her brother's body. By taking this bold step, Antigone demonstrates the force that an individual's actions have in a democracy. Creon, with his stubborn attitude, shows how a democracy in which the voice of the people is not heard can be dysfunctional, and that laws must be made by taking others into confidence and not on an individual basis. Ultimately, Antigone decides to sacrifice her own life in the service of greater justice. It's this kind of tremendous determination that changes the course of history, and it's something we can respect equally in the 5th century BC and the 21st century AD..