Plays 52 - Antigone by Sophocles

3. Antigone - Sophocles

Set entirely at the palace of Thebes, 'Antigone' is the third part of Sophocles' Oedipus saga.  It concerns itself with the fate of Oedipus' children; his daughters Antigone and Ismene, his sons Eteocles and Polynices.  Just before the start of the play, Oedipus' son Eteocles was defending the city of Thebes against his brother, Polynices who was leading a revolt against it, both having killed each other in battle.  The new king of the city, Creon, declares that Eteocles is to be given a full burial with state honours but the rebellious brother Polynices is to be left unburied as carrion.  Creon is accompanied throughout the play by a Chorus of city elders who act as his conscience.

Bound by a sense of familial honour, Oedipus' daughter Antigone vows to bury her brother Polynices in bold defiance of Creon's orders.  Ismene, who is Antigone's sister, begs her not to defy Creon's will or at least to do so covertly, however Antigone rejects Ismene's pleas and goes to carry out the burial.  Antigone feels betrayed by Ismene, who clearly wants to help her sister but is too fearful to do so.

As is customary in Greek theatre, a messenger arrives to relay the events which have taken place elsewhere, in this case one of the sentries ordered by Creon to guard the body of the dishonoured.  He is in fear for his life as he informs the king that the body has been partially buried, fearing the king will hold him responsible.  However, Creon sends the sentry back to unbury the body and keep watch, should the criminal return. 

Shortly afterwards, the sentry returns with Antigone, who has been caught in the act of reburying her brother.  She is unrepentant and defiant against the king, stating that she considers familial honour more important than the word of the king.  Her defiance angers Creon and he sentences her to imprisonment in a sealed cave, with just enough food to survive should she wish to do so. 

Haemon, Creon's son who is betrothed to Antigone, arrives to plead with his father not to punish her rashly and to try to understand her position.  Haemon also suggests that the citizens of Thebes admire Antigone, yet are too fearful of Creon to admit it.  Creon will give no quarter though and insists that he will not be swayed by a woman, or by "women's law".  Haemon leaves, heartbroken, with a very thinly veiled threat to take his own life if Antigone should perish.

Teiresias, a blind prophet and long time advisor to the kings of Thebes, now tries to persuade Creon to change his mind.  He has had a disturbing vision of warring birds and a sacrifice spurned by the gods, angered as they are by Creon's pride.  Creon is shaken enough by this to reluctantly go back on his word.  He sets off, at the insistence of the chorus, to bury the body of Polynices and to free Antigone.

A little while later, another messenger enters to explain what has happened.  Creon and his sentries managed to burn the body on a pyre and bury the ashes, but were too late in freeing Antigone.  Haemon is already there and she has hung herself.  Creon attempts to calm Haemon but he lunges at his father with a sword, Creon avoids this but then Haemon impales himself in the side, unable to bear life without Antigone.

Back at the palace Creon's wife, Eurydice, hears the news of her son's death and Creon's part in it then leaves in ominous silence.  Creon returns to the palace, crestfallen, and just as he thinks things cannot get any worse, he discovers that his wife has killed herself.  Creon takes full responsibility for the deaths as if he himself had cast the deadly blows.