Antigone

by Sophocles

Sophocles (497 BC-406 BC), Aeschylus, and Euripides formed a trio of ancient Greek tragedians whose works represent the foundation of the Western tradition of classic drama. Of the more than 100 plays written by Sophocles, seven have survived to the present day. Perhaps the most famous of these are the three that are now known as the Theban plays: Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone.

After the death of their father, Oedipus, Antigone and Ismene return to Thebes. The ruler is their unyielding uncle by marriage, Creon, who assumed command after the death of the sons of Oedipus, Eteocles, and Polynices in a fratricidal struggle to take control of the city. Creon has the body of one brother buried with full civic honors but forbids the burial of the body of the other, whom he regards as a traitor. Antigone's challenge to Creon's decree, which she considers unjust, results in the extinction of the family line of Oedipus.

Genres: Classics

Mass Market Paperback

First published May 14, 2014

About the author

Sophocles (497/496 BC-406/405 BC), (Greek: Σοφοκλής ; German: Sophokles , Russian: Софокл , French: Sophocle , Catalan: Sòfocles ) was an ancient Greek tragedian, known as one of three from whom at least one play has survived in full. His first plays were written later than, or contemporary with, those of Aeschylus; and earlier than, or contemporary with, those of Euripides. Sophocles wrote over 120 plays, but only seven have survived in a complete form: Ajax, Antigone, Women of Trachis, Oedipus Rex, Electra, Philoctetes, and Oedipus at Colonus. For almost fifty years, Sophocles was the most celebrated playwright in the dramatic competitions of the city-state of Athens which took place during the religious festivals of the Lenaea and the Dionysia. He competed in thirty competitions, won twenty-four, and was never judged lower than second place. Aeschylus won thirteen competitions, and was sometimes defeated by Sophocles; Euripides won four.
The most famous tragedies of Sophocles feature Oedipus and Antigone: they are generally known as the Theban plays, though each was part of a different tetralogy (the other members of which are now lost). Sophocles influenced the development of drama, most importantly by adding a third actor (attributed to Sophocles by Aristotle; to Aeschylus by Themistius), thereby reducing the importance of the chorus in the presentation of the plot. He also developed his characters to a greater extent than earlier playwrights.

Reviews

[Ellie G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have actual academic thoughts about this play which I love dearly, but they boil down to 1) men ain't shit 2) antigone slays 3) a system of "justice" built on retaliation and revenge will always fall to ruin

[Lynne Nunyabidness · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a classicist by trade or inclination, but the language here was quite lyric and the ancillary materials went a long way toward explaining the historical and mythological context of the tale.