Antigone
Synopsis:
In the aftermath of civil war in Thebes, Creon decrees that the traitor Polynices must remain unburied, denying him honor in death. Defiant Antigone, sister to the fallen brothers, resolves to perform the sacred rites for Polynices, prioritizing divine law and family duty over the king’s edict. Her act of rebellion sparks a clash with the unyielding Creon, drawing in his son Haemon—betrothed to Antigone—and the wise prophet Tiresias. Sophocles’ powerful tragedy examines the conflict between personal conscience and state authority, the perils of pride, and the inescapable consequences of human choices.
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Review
While probably being first written, this is a good conclusion to the chronological story of Oedipus and his family. Sophocles shows why he took the topic of the respected Greek playwrites of his time. The previous stories involved a murder mystery and one of adventure, this one is a Romeo and Julie heist story. And who says ancient literature is boring?!
Antigone is a story about contrasting ideas and ideals. Antigone and her sister, Ismene, kick off the story being constrasting characters of those who fight and those who submit. Is the drive to do what is right paramount or is it to be safe and obey human orders. This is a great jumping off point for the rest of the story where these themes become even more clear and probably less subtle.
Creon returns, but he has a few redemptive qualities than he did in Oedipus at Colonus. He matches both Oedipus’ pride cometh before the fall and elements of Orestes of The Libation Bearers in trying to figure out what the right way to turn is. He’s a much better character here than in previous stories, but almost being the main character probably helps that. Knowing that the plays were done in a different order would make seeing the character of Creon in a different light than that of the chronological order and that would be a fascinating thing to consider. Antigone is hard not to like. She takes the role of stand up for what is right even in the face of the king which us modern readers have an affinity for. A surprising character that is written very well rounded is Creon’s son, Haemon who attempts to appeal to logic, ethics, and correct tradition while at the same time being respectful and obedient. The juxtaposition between father and son lends to mirroring the story well.
Like the previous stories, the call to the audience and to Greece as a whole is, what kind of people do you want to strive to be? Are there natural laws (the laws of the gods) that oversee and counterman the laws of man and what does a good leader look like. The greater ideas of what is man is also beginning to be explored here and the hints at universal truths and understand seem to be coming out more here. All three plays were a pleasure to read and one that modern audiences can really enjoy.
Final Grade
A
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