Antigone: Character and Conflict Analysis

Characters

• Antigone: Daughter of Oedipus and Iocaste, defies Creon's decree.
• Ismene: Antigone's sister, hesitant to defy Creon.
• Eurydice: Creon's wife, Queen of Thebes.
• Creon: King of Thebes, uncle to Antigone and Ismene; enforces law strictly.
• Haimon: Creon's son, engaged to Antigone; opposes his father's decision.
• Teiresias: Blind prophet, warns Creon of his folly.
• A Sentry: Reports the burial of Polyneices.
• A Messenger: Announces the deaths of Haimon and Eurydice.
• Chorus: Theban elders, provide commentary and perspective.

Setting

• The play unfolds before the Palace of Creon in Thebes
• It begins at dawn on the day following the Argive army's defeat

Prologue

• Antigone seeks Ismene's help to bury their brother Polyneices, defying Creon's decree.
• Creon has honored Eteocles with a soldier's funeral but has forbidden the burial of Polyneices, who attacked Thebes
• The penalty for disobeying Creon's law is death by stoning
• Antigone believes it is her duty to honor her brother, regardless of Creon's law and the consequences.
• Ismene refuses to join Antigone, fearing the consequences of defying Creon.
• Antigone resolves to bury Polyneices alone indicating that the laws of the gods outweigh human laws.
• Ismene tries to dissuade Antigone, emphasizing the danger and arguing they are only women, unable to fight the state.

Parodos

• The Chorus sings of the defeat of the Argive army
• It celebrates the victory of Thebes
• It praises the new dawn and anticipates the leadership of Creon.

Scene 1

• Creon declares that the Ship of State has weathered recent storms and arrived safely in harbor
• Announces Eteocles will be honored but Polyneices will not be buried due to treason
• Creon emphasizes the importance of loyalty to the state above personal friendships.
• A sentry reports that someone has defied Creon's edict and given Polyneices a symbolic burial.
• Creon suspects a conspiracy and threatens the sentry with death if the culprit is not found.
• The sentry, fearing for his life, leaves to investigate.

Scene 2

• The sentry brings Antigone before Creon, having caught her in the act of burying Polyneices.
• Antigone openly admits to defying Creon's law, stating she was following the unwritten, immortal laws of the gods.
• Antigone defends burial of Polyneices claiming she follows laws of gods not men
• Antigone argues Creon's edict opposes divine justice
• Creon, enraged by Antigone's defiance, orders Ismene to be brought in as well, suspecting her involvement.
• Ismene now wishes to share Antigone's fate, claiming she is equally guilty
• Antigone refuses to let Ismene share the blame, maintaining she acted alone
• Creon orders the arrest of both Antigone and Ismene.

Ode 1

• The Chorus reflects on the wonders of human achievement and ingenuity
• It acknowledges human limitations, particularly in the face of death
• It ponders the implications of Antigone's actions for Thebes and the laws of the state.

Scene 3

• Haimon pleads with Creon to reconsider his decision, arguing the people of Thebes sympathize with Antigone.
• Haimon advises that a good ruler should listen to the wisdom of others
• Creon refuses to listen to Haimon's advice, accusing him of being swayed by a woman.
• They argue about whose law is supreme: the state's or the gods'
• The disagreement escalates, and Haimon storms off, vowing never to see Creon again.
• Creon decides to imprison Antigone in a stone vault, leaving her with a meager amount of food.
• In doing so Creon attempts to absolve the state of her death.

Ode 2

• The Chorus laments the misfortunes of the house of Oedipus
• Underscores the enduring power of fate
• It reflects on the tragic consequences of arrogance and the wrath of the gods.

Scene 4

• Antigone expresses sorrow at her impending death
• She feels that she never had the chance to experience life's joys as bridesong or music
• Antigone reflects on Niobe and other mythological figures who suffered tragic fates.
• The Chorus acknowledges Antigone's noble act but suggests she may be paying for her father's sins.
• Antigone asserts her innocence before the gods
• She acknowledges the curse upon her family.

Ode 3

• The Chorus sings of Love's power
• It highlights Love's destructive force and its ability to drive humans to folly and despair
• Underscores love's role in the conflict between Creon and Haimon.

Scene 5

• Teiresias warns Creon that his decisions have angered the gods, and his city will suffer as a result.
• Creon initially dismisses Teiresias's warnings
• He accuses him of being bribed
• Teiresias prophesies that Creon will pay, corpse for corpse for his crimes
• Creon becomes frightened and asks the Chorus for advice.
• The Choragos urges Creon to free Antigone and bury Polyneices
• Creon finally relents, resolving to follow their advice.

Paean

• The Chorus sings a hymn to Iacchos (Dionysus)
• It calls upon the god to bring salvation to Thebes
• It implores him to cleanse the city of pollution and restore harmony

Exodos

• A messenger reports that Haimon has killed himself after finding Antigone dead in the vault.
• Creon's wife, Eurydice, overhears the messenger's tale and takes her own life, cursing Creon as she dies.
• Creon enters, carrying Haimon's body
• He is utterly broken by the deaths of his wife and son
• Creon acknowledges his own errors
• He accepts responsibility for the tragedy
• Creon asks to be led away, recognizing that he is no more than dust.
• The Choragos concludes that wisdom comes through submission to the gods
• Proud men learn it too late in old age, when they are being punished themselves.

Analyze Antigone's unwavering loyalty, contrasting it with Ismene's reluctance. Explore themes of justice, fate, and the conflict between divine law and human decree as revealed through character interactions and key lines from the play Antigone.