What is the story of Antigone by Sophocles about?
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.
What is the theme of Antigone Act 1?
Theme #1. Blindness in a real or metaphorical sense is the major theme of various Grecian plays. Creon ignores Tiresias’s warning and is unable to see the facts which are similar to that of Oedipus. The words of this seer echo as they show the clear path to Creon who is unwilling to compromise like Oedipus.
What is Sophocles style in Antigone?
The writing style of Antigone kind of depends upon whose translation you’re reading. Storr uses a lot of iambic pentameter in his lines, which will sound familiar to any of you who have ever read Shakespeare. The Bard himself also favored this poetic style, which features lines of five iambs (hence, iambic pentameter).
Why did Antigone hang herself?
Antigone’s life, like her father Oedipus’s, is filled with grief and tragedy. When King Creon finds out, he becomes furious and orders Antigone to be walled up alive in a tomb. Rather than live in dishonor, Antigone sees it as her religious duty towards the gods and her brother to take her own life by hanging herself.
Why is the play 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.
Does Antigone take place in one day?
Antigone unfolds almost entirely in the course of one day, in one space (the palace), and in largely uninterrupted dialogue/action.
What is Sophocles writing style?
The play is written in free verse with the meter of the play alternating between lyric and iambic trimeters. There are also a few instances of rhyme, appearing only in the beginning and final scenes, and usually only by Oedipus and the chorus.
What are some symbols in Antigone?
Lesson Summary 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 is the plot of Antigone?
Antigone Summary. As the play begins, the invading army of Argos has been driven from Thebes, but in the course of the battle, two sons of Oedipus (Eteocles and Polynices) have died fighting for opposing sides. Their uncle, Creon, is now king of Thebes.
What is the theme of lines 1-416 of Antigone?
Antigone Lines 1-416 Summary & Analysis. Antigone and Ismene establish one of the play’s major themes. Ismene points out that Creon’s decree is the law of the land. But Antigone feels that the laws of the gods are more important than the laws of men.
How can I track the themes in Antigone?
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Antigone, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. It is nighttime in Thebes. The Thebans have defeated an invading army from Argos. During the fighting, the two sons of Oedipus, Polynices and Eteocles, have died, each killing the other as they fought for opposing sides.
Is Oedipus the father of Antigone?
There is something we must do. 1 Oedipus, once King of Thebes, was the father of Antigone and Ismene, and of their brothers Polyneices and Eteocles. Oedipus unwittingly killed his father, Laios, and married his own mother, Iocaste.