Explore this Show
Overview
Synopsis
Ancient Thebes survived a civil war, but at a terrible cost. The sons of Oedipus, Eteocles and Polyneices, fought each other for the throne, but ultimately killed each other. Their uncle, Creon, has declared himself king, and ordered that the body of Polyneices--whom he sees as a traitor to Thebes--be left unburied outside the city walls. This punishment will ensure his spirit will never be at rest in the afterlife. And anyone who defies Creon’s orders will be put to death.
Antigone, the daughter of Oedipus, is outraged at the cruelty of Creon’s decree, and believes it is an insult not only to Polyneices, but to the gods as well. She resolves to bury her brother, even if it means her own death. Refusing help from anyone, Antigone stands alone against injustice and buries her brother. After she is caught, Creon is faced with a moral dilemma: Does he follow through on his decree and put his own niece to death? Or does he relent and undermine his own authority as king?
Sophocles’ Antigone dramatizes the moral struggles and civil disobedience following war. Originally performed in Ancient Athens, during a time of rising national pride, Antigone exposes the dangers of an absolute ruler clouded by his own hubris, and praises the devotion of one woman to justice for her family.
Show Information
- Book
- Sophocles
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 1
- Genres
- Tragedy
- Settings
- Period, Simple/No Set
- Time & Place
- Thebes, Ancient Greece
- Cast Size
- medium
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, High School, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Late Teen, Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly, Child, Early Teen Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Antigone is considered one of the Theban plays written by Sophocles, composed around 441 BCE. Originally, Antigone was part of a trilogy of plays, although the other two plays have been lost.
The story of Antigone and her familial background would have been well-known to the ancient Greek audience. She is one of four children of Oedipus and Jocasta; her brothers Eteocles and Polyneices engaged in a civil war over who would rule Thebes following Oedipus' blinding, exile, and death. The
to read the context for Antigone and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Silent |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A term from Ancient Greek tragedy, meaning the purging of pity and fear.
Based in Ancient theatre, a set of characters that work together as a single group, often commenting on the action of the play.
Also called “anagnorisis” in Ancient Greek tragedy, this is the recognition by the hero of his tragic fate, and his inability to change it.
A group of actors who sang, danced, and commented on the action in unison.
A tragic flaw, identified within Ancient Greek tragedy.
Excessive pride, the most common tragic flaw.
Stories from ancient cultures about divine figures and supernatural events, often considered as a combination of literature, science, history, and religion
The theory that all drama must follow the three unities set out by the Greek philosopher Aristotle: action, place, and time.
A play that centers around the downfall of the main character through tragic actions and events.
The protagonist, generally someone who is noble or royal, and is brought to a downfall by their own hubris.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.
Quote Analysis
Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.
Guide Written By:
Cindi Calhoun
Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress