to realize that the laws of the gods truly are sovereign. Initially, Creon establishes himself as an authoritative and just ruler, as he states, "I have nothing but contempt for the kind of Governor who is afraid, for whatever reason, to follow the course that he know is best for the State" (1095). Creon's selflessness and devotion to the state are displayed establishing the pinnacle of his power, as he states, " . . . Polyneices, I say, is to have no burial: no man is to touch him or say the least prayer for him he shall lie on the plain; unburied; and the birds and the scavenging dogs can do with him whatever they like'" (1096). While Creon's declaration is initially an inadvertent, unconscious rejection of divine law, after this decree, his power drastically dwindles. He becomes so disillusioned that he deems the laws of the states, which he issued, need not concur with the laws of the gods. According to divine law, Polyneices is to be properly buried. Nonetheless, Creon feels that since Polyneices and his army waged war against and destroyed Thebes, they should be denied those final honors. However, unbeknownst to Creon he does not possess the power to make such a decision; only the gods do. Creon continues to defy the law of the gods, as he says, " . . . she and her sister win bitter death for this!" (1102). The gods alone decide the duration of a mortal's life yet, Creon wrongfully sentences Antigone to death, again issuing laws in areas over which he has no real authority. Caught up in his illusion that he has supreme power, Creon continues, " ' . . . if you must have your love, Find it in hell!'" (1103). Creon rashly deems that because of Antigone's open defiance of human law her soul belongs to hell. Passing final judgment is the responsibility of the gods; they alone can sentence one's soul to suffering in hell during afterlife. Cre...