Antigone Sparknotes

Play Analysis #1

1. "Antigone" is an ancient play by Sophocles. "Antigone" begins with the death of two brothers, Polyneices and Eteocles, sons of Oedipus who were on opposite sides in Thebes's civil war. The new king of Thebes, Creon, proclaimed that Eteocles would be honored and receive a proper burial, but Polyneices was to be shamed and would not receive a burial, being left to rot. Upon hearing this news Antigone, sister of the two recently departed brothers, secretly met with her sister Ismene to tell her the news and ask her for her assistance in burying their brother Polyneices. She refused in fear of the law but Antigone went on to do it by herself. While Creon was discussing the ruling

But the conversation devolved into a heated argument. Creon stubbornly stuck by his judgements and as he left, Haemon declared he would never see his father again. Creon spared Ismene but sentenced Antigone to death. He had her buried alive, locked away in a cave in the desert with little food. Once the deed was done the blind prophet, Teiresias came to the palace with a warning for Creon. He told the king that the gods were against him and his doings. Creon stubbornly stuck by his own judgements and accused the prophet of being corrupt. Teiresias then warned him that he would be despised by Greece and that one of his own children would die because Creon would not burry Polyneices and buried Antigone alive. After the prophet left the chorus pleaded with Creon to right these wrongs. Creon was frightened and took a group of men to burry Polyneices and free Antigone. A messenger returned and announced that Haemon had taken his own life. The queen, Eruydice asked to be told everything and the messenger told her that both Haemon and Antigone had committed suicide. She then left and Creon returned carrying Haemon. Another messenger then told the king that the queen took her life, cursing him with her last breath. Creon fell into despair, knowing that it was all his fault. The

The learning modules did help in writing this play analysis and choosing the play I wanted to write about. Because of the learning modules about Greek theatre and "Oedipus Rex" I knew more about the story leading to "Antigone" and could better understand it. The first story was very interesting so I wanted to know more and what happened after. I also chose "Antigone" because the first monologue I performed in the beginning acting class was a modern version of the classical "Antigone" titled "Another Antigone." I liked the character of Antigone, and that she was standing up for what she believed in. After reading about Sophocles in the text I was interested in choosing one of his plays because he was so highly regarded and well known for his tragedies, and I wanted to read a Greek tragedy because that was their favorite and most impressive genre. Knowing more about Greek theatre and their styles and mythology helped me better understand the story and know how important things were to each character. For instance; just how important it was for Polyneices to be buried. It wasn't only because it was a loved one who passed and Antigone wanted him to be properly taken care of. It was also because it was a way to show your familial love and ties and to send the dead off into peace because the Greeks believed the soul of an unburied body would never find