What is the summary of Antigone?
Antigone is a tragedy written by Sophocles in the year 441 BCE and is a play about the aftermath of a civil war in which the two sons of Oedipus, Eteocles and Polyneices, kill each other, where the new king and their successor, Creon, tries to punish Polyneices for his disloyalty by not burying him properly.
How is Antigone a Greek tragedy?
The play Antigone is often thought to be a Greek tragedy because each of the tragic heroes is neither extremely good or bad, their fortunes change from good to bad, their misfortunes do not result from their own wrong doings, and they arouse pity within the audience.
What are the main points in Antigone?
Antigone Themes
- Fate and Free Will. A central theme of Antigone is the tension between individual action and fate.
- Rules and Order. Antigone contrasts two types of law and justice: divine or religious law on one hand, and the law of men and states on the other.
- Determination.
- Power.
- Women and Femininity.
- Mortality.
What is the main conflict of the tragedy Antigone?
The main source of conflict between Antigone and Creon is the issue of the burial of Antigone’s dead brother. Both of her brothers were killed in battle, however one brother fought against their home city and was considered a traitor. Creon issued a law that whoever tries to bury this man will be put to death.
Why is Antigone important?
Antigone is an important follower of tradition and does not want to displease the gods or the dead. This means that Antigone will do anything possible to help her brother, even if it means being harmed innocently. In addition, Antigone commits more faultless actions that result in the death of her.
What type of drama is Antigone?
Tragedy
Of the three Theban plays Antigone is the third in order of the events depicted in the plays, but it is the first that was written….Antigone (Sophocles play)
| Antigone | |
|---|---|
| Place premiered | Athens |
| Original language | Ancient Greek |
| Genre | Tragedy |
Who is the tragic hero in Antigone?
Creon
In Sophocles’ Antigone, translated by Ian Johnston, the overall tragic hero is Creon. Creon becoming king brings new laws that are not accepted by everyone’s morals and they do not all follow the laws of the gods.
What does Antigone symbolize?
The main symbol in ”Antigone” is the stone tomb. For Creon, it represents being true to the living state and rulers, instead of the dead ones. For the gods, this tomb represents dishonor and disregard for them. Other symbols in ”Antigone” include money, as Creon believes that greed must lead people.
What does the play Antigone teach us?
What can be learned from the tragedy of Antigone? At least this: When fellow citizens become enemies, their bonds of friendship and family are weakened if not destroyed. When primary identity is reduced to “us” and “them,” the definition of justice narrows. It becomes simply what helps “us” and harms “them.”
What is the climax of Antigone?
The climax of Antigone is when Creon, too late to avert tragedy, decides to pardon Antigone for defying his orders and burying her brother. Falling actionIn Oedipus the King, the consequences of Oedipus’s learning of his identity as the man who killed his father and slept with his mother are the falling action.
What are the tensions in Antigone?
The central conflict rises from the clash of the main character, Antigone, and her uncle, King Creon, over the role of man’s laws and god’s laws in society. Antigone’s two brothers Polyneices and Eteocles had slain each other in battle over the throne.
Why is Antigone a tragic hero?
Antigone is a hero because she remains true both to the Gods and her brother. Even when faced with death, she refuses to go against either one, choosing to end her own life. Thus, she seals her testimony with her own blood and dies a tragic hero.