Final answer:
Agamemnon fails to follow the law of compensation by denying Polyneices the proper burial rites, which is against the ancient Greek belief in honoring the dead. This act by Agamemnon reflects the central conflict between human law and divine will.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of the excerpts provided, Agamemnon fails to abide by the law of compensation as he does not accord the appropriate burial rights and honors to the deceased. The law of compensation here refers to the ancient Greek belief and practice that the dead must be treated with respect and given proper burial rites to ensure their passage to the afterlife. Agamemnon, by denying Polyneices the burial rights, shows disdain for this tradition and causes a moral and religious violation. The edict that no one shall bury or mourn Polyneices, deemed a traitor, disregards the fundamental law of the gods that the dead must be honored. This denial of burial is highlighted as an act that goes against the expected norms and is considered a heinous crime by Antigone, who values the laws of the gods above the edict of mortal kings. The thematic conflict between human law and divine will is central to the narrative, as Agamemnon's failure to provide a proper burial for Polyneices leads to tragic consequences.