Often, it all comes down to one man or woman. The 2012 historical fiction movie "Argo", recalls the exfiltration mission of 6 Americans who escaped from the American Embassy during the November 1979 take-over, and are hiding at the home of the Canadian Ambassador in Tehran. Ben Affleck directs the movie and plays the leading role as CIA operative Tony Mendez. One of the most compelling moments in the film is when, on the eve of the group's departure from Tehran, Mr. Mendez receives word from Washington that the mission is off. The following morning, however, he communicates back to his superiors that he is defying orders and for him, the mission is "on." He has a responsibility for these 6 human beings who have been placed in his care, and he will not abandon them.
In Sophocles play, "Antigone," the heroine knows she must defy the orders of her uncle Creon and bury her slain brother Polynices, whose body lies rotting outside the city gates. Antigone knows the penalty of her disobedience to the State: death. For her, the choice is very clear, and she bears witness to the reasons for her actions in an audience with Creon:
"Because it was not Zeus who ordered it,
nor Justice, dweller with the Nether Gods,
Gave such a law to men; nor did I deem
Your ordinance of so much binding force,
As that a mortal man could overbear
The unchangeable unwritten code of Heaven;
This is not of today and yesterday,
But lives for ever, having origin
Whence no man knows..."
Both Mr. Mendez and Antigone obey the natural law that is written on their hearts. In doing so, good drama ensues.
