Takes place after the fall of brothers Eteocles and Polyneices
Main Characters (Dramatis Personae)
Antigone: Daughter of Oedipus, determined to bury her brother Polyneices
Ismene: Sister of Antigone, hesitant to join in defiance of Creon
Creon: King of Thebes, uncle of Antigone and Ismene
Eurydice: Creon's wife
Haemon: Creon's son, engaged to Antigone
Teiresias: Blind prophet
Chorus of Theban Elders
Plot Summary
Prologue
Antigone and Ismene: Antigone informs Ismene of Creon's edict forbidding the burial of their brother Polyneices as punishment for his attack on Thebes.
Antigone resolves to defy the edict and bury him, believing divine law outweighs Creon's rule.
Ismene is fearful and refuses to help, though she sympathizes.
Creon's Decree
Creon declares Eteocles will receive a hero's burial, while Polyneices will be left unburied.
The chorus supports Creon’s decree but foreshadows potential divine retribution.
Antigone's Defiance
Antigone is caught in the act of burying Polyneices and is brought before Creon.
She admits to the act, arguing it was her moral duty.
Creon is enraged and sentences her to death, despite Haemon’s pleas.
Haemon’s Confrontation
Haemon argues with Creon, advocating for Antigone and challenging his father's inflexibility.
Creon remains unmoved, leading to Haemon’s disillusionment and departure.
Teiresias’ Warning
Teiresias warns Creon that the gods are displeased with his actions and predicts ruin if he does not relent.
Creon accuses Teiresias of corruption but is eventually persuaded to free Antigone and bury Polyneices.
Tragic Conclusion
A messenger reports that Antigone has hanged herself.
Haemon, discovering her body, takes his own life.
Eurydice, upon hearing of her son's death, also kills herself.
Creon is left devastated by the loss of his family due to his stubbornness.
Themes
Conflict between human law and divine law: Antigone believes in following divine law over Creon’s edict.
Pride and its consequences: Creon’s hubris leads to the destruction of his family.
The role of women: Antigone challenges traditional gender roles by taking bold action.
Fate and free will: Characters struggle with their destinies, questioning the role of fate.
Symbolism
Burial rites: Represent respect for the dead and adherence to religious customs.
Antigone's defiance: Symbolizes moral integrity and resistance against tyranny.
Quotes
"For I owe a longer allegiance to the dead than to the living."
"When a man hath forfeited his pleasures, I count him not as living,-I hold him but a breathing corpse."
Conclusion
The tragedy ends with Creon’s realization of his errors, having lost his son, wife, and niece.
The chorus concludes by emphasizing the importance of wisdom and reverence to the gods.