Description
By: Sophocles (495-406 BC)
Antigone by Sophocles is a powerful tragedy that explores themes of morality, duty, and family loyalty. The play centers around the conflict between Antigone and Creon, the King of Thebes, as they clash over the burial of Antigone’s brother, Polynices.
Sophocles crafts a compelling narrative filled with complex characters who grapple with difficult ethical dilemmas. Antigone’s unwavering commitment to honoring her brother’s memory, even in the face of certain death, is both inspiring and tragic. Meanwhile, Creon’s rigid adherence to the laws of the state leads to devastating consequences for himself and those around him.
The play’s timeless themes still resonate with audiences today, as it forces us to consider the often conflicting demands of personal ethics and societal expectations. The language is lyrical and evocative, drawing the reader into the emotional turmoil of the characters.
Overall, Antigone is a classic tragedy that continues to be relevant and thought-provoking centuries after it was first performed. Sophocles’ exploration of the complexities of human nature and the consequences of our choices makes this play a must-read for anyone interested in Greek literature or timeless storytelling.
Book Description:
This is the final installment in Sophocles’s Theban Plays, following Oedipus Rex and Oedipus at Colonus. Oedipus’s daughter Antigone deliberately breaks the laws of Thebes when she buries her brother’s body and is sentenced to death. She clashes with Creon, the King of Thebes, over what constitutes justice and morality: the laws of the state or the laws of the individual.
