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Antigone

Antigone is a tragedy by Sophocles, written in the 5th century BCE and set in Thebes after a civil war.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Antigone is a tragedy by Sophocles, written in the 5th century BCE and set in Thebes after a civil war. It follows Antigone’s defiance of King Creon’s order forbidding the burial of her brother Polynices, and explores conflict between individual duty, divine law, and state authority.

Plot

The play begins after the deaths of Eteocles and Polynices in battle. Creon’s decree leaves Polynices unburied, and Antigone chooses to perform burial rites anyway, leading to her punishment and the tragedy’s fatal ending.

Characters

Key characters include Antigone, Creon, Ismene, Haemon, and the Chorus. Antigone represents familial duty and religious obligation, while Creon represents civic authority and royal law.

Themes

The drama is known for its treatment of justice, loyalty, authority, fate, and pride. A central issue is the clash between obedience to the state and obedience to higher moral or divine law.

Literary significance

Antigone is a major work of ancient Greek theatre and a foundational text for later discussions of tragedy and political ethics. It remains widely studied and adapted because of its enduring moral and political questions.

Key facts

  • The play is one of Sophocles’ best-known surviving tragedies.
  • It is set after the deaths of Oedipus’ sons, Eteocles and Polynices, in a civil war over Thebes.
  • Creon, the new ruler of Thebes, honours Eteocles but forbids burial for Polynices, whom he treats as a traitor.
  • Antigone secretly buries Polynices and is condemned by Creon.
  • The tragedy ends with multiple deaths, including Antigone and Haemon, intensifying Creon’s downfall.
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Canadian context

Antigone is widely taught in Canadian literature, classics, drama, and philosophy courses, where it is often used to discuss civil disobedience, law, ethics, and tragedy.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote Antigone?
Antigone was written by the ancient Greek playwright Sophocles.
When was Antigone written?
It is generally dated to around 441 BCE.
What is Antigone about?
It is about Antigone’s decision to bury her brother Polynices despite King Creon’s ban, triggering a conflict between personal duty and state power.
Who are the main characters?
The main figures are Antigone, Creon, Ismene, Haemon, Polynices, and Eteocles.
What themes does the play explore?
It explores justice, loyalty, divine law versus human law, pride, and the consequences of authority.
Is Antigone part of a larger story?
Yes. It is part of the Theban cycle, a group of stories connected to Oedipus and his family.

References

  1. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Antigone-Greek-mythology
    Supports: Overview of Antigone’s story, family relationships, Creon’s decree, and the tragedy’s ending.
  2. Audible — https://www.audible.com/blog/summary-antigone-by-sophocles
    Supports: Date, authorship, Theban cycle context, and central conflict.
  3. LitCharts — https://www.litcharts.com/lit/antigone/summary
    Supports: Plot setup involving Eteocles, Polynices, Creon, and Thebes.
  4. GradeSaver — https://www.gradesaver.com/antigone/study-guide/summary
    Supports: Detailed plot summary including Antigone’s plan to bury Polynices and Ismene’s refusal.
  5. TheCollector — https://www.thecollector.com/antigone-sophocles-story-detailed-breakdown/
    Supports: Themes including divine law, human law, justice, fate, and pride.
  6. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antigone_(Sophocles_play)
    Supports: Approximate date and basic work metadata, used cautiously as supplementary support.