Play Tragedy

Antigone
Author First Performed Original Language
Sophocles c. 442–441 BCE Ancient Greek

MOTIFS

Divine Antigone's two brothers are dead. One of them, Polyneices, has been
labeled a traitor by his uncle, King Creon. Defying Creon's rule, Antigone
Retribution displays her loyalty to the gods by burying Polyneices. Unable to forgive his
niece, Creon shuts her in a cave, where she kills herself. In the confrontation
that follows, Creon learns that obstinacy can lead to tragedy.

Razor’s Edge
Illustrates agonizing
choices Ships
Represent the steadiness of
a peaceful state

Unconsumed Sacrifice Dirt

Displays the rottenness of Represents devotion to
the city one's family

Themes
Antigone
by the Numbers

Devotion vs.
468 BCE Duty

Antigone chooses loyalty to

Year Sophocles won family and the gods; Ismene
his first dramatic and Creon choose fear and
competition Courage allegiance to the state.
& Conviction

Although it leads to her death,

~90
Age at which
Sophocles led a chorus
for Euripides's death
Antigone's love for her brother
prevails over her uncle's
unjust decree.
Flexibility vs.
Stubbornness
Creon cannot overcome his
rigidity soon enough to

1979 prevent tragedy.

Year Thebes became

a World Heritage site

Main Characters Author

Haemon
Son of Creon; engaged
to Antigone

SOPHOCLES
C. 496–406 BCE

Ismene Creon A playwright and statesman,

Antigone's timid Authoritative king Sophocles wrote 123 plays
sister of Thebes and won some two dozen
major dramatic competitions.
Only seven of his tragedies
still exist, including Antigone,
Oedipus Rex, and Oedipus at
Colonus. Sophocles was a
Antigone well-loved public figure who
Oedipus's determined took part in Athens's daily life
daughter as citizen and leader.

Chorus Teiresias
Elders who comment on Old, blind prophet; adviser
the action of the play to leaders

here's no release for mortal human beings,

not from events which destiny has set.
Chorus, Lines 1483–84

Sources: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia

of Literature, UNESCO

Copyright © 2016 Course Hero, Inc.