Antigone Short Summary. Antigone sits before the First Guard in her cell; his is the last face she will see. Suddenly a drum roll is heard, and the Guards lead Antigone out. Antigone: Characters. Visual theme-tracking, too. While ruined, she is a queen. This is not an example of the work produced by our Essay Writing Service. The rebel brother's body will not be sanctified by holy rites, and will lay unburied to become the food of carrion animals. A Summary of Sophocles’ Antigone α CHARACTERS 1. Granted, while that was a premeditated act of civil disobedience, in Antigone, a tragedy written by Sophocles around 441 BCE, the heroine has a similar choice. It is one of the ancient play that has a female protagonist. Greek audiences may not have been familiar with the particulars of Antigone's story, but they would have recognized the setting of the play and the initial context of its plot - namely, the city of Thebes and the seeming curse that afflicts all members of the royal family. Ismene declares that they cannot bury Polynices and that she must understand Creon's intentions. As a child, she must have known her brothers made her parents unhappy. Only the Guards are left, and the tragedy does not matter to them. Antigone insists that he cannot save her. Because Creon said yes, he can only sentence her to death. Summary. When Haimon appears, the leader of the Chorus speculates that sorrow over Antigone's fate has brought the prince to see Creon. Antigone is a tragedy. For instance, both Antigone and Creon find themselves caught in a double bind, a situation in which they are doomed no matter which course of action th… Creon makes a final appeal, saying that Antigone needs to understand what goes on in the wings of her drama. The rebel brother's body will not be sanctified by holy rites, and will lay unburied to become the food of carrion animals. You would all have been so happy except for Antigone." The Guards enter with the struggling Antigone. Anouilh attributes Antigone's hate and envy in Ismene's capacity to figure as an object of desire, as the woman men want. He initially seems willing to obey Creon, but when Haemon gently tries to persuade his father to spare Antigone, the discussion deteriorates and the two men are soon bitterly insulting each other. The Chorus protests. Scene One: Antigone tries to convince her sister Ismene to join her in burying their brother Polynices.Ismene refuses, because their uncle Creon has decreed that anyone who does will pay the penalty of death. Antigone remarks that Creon is squeezing her arm too tightly, but his grasp no longer hurts. Finally three Guards play cards, indifferent to the tragedy before them. Though one would have expected Haemon to go for Ismene, he inexplicably proposed to Antigone on the night of a ball. Buy Study Guide. Creon orders that the two women be temporarily locked up. Polyneices and Eteocles, two brothers leading opposite sides in Thebes' civil war, have both been killed in battle. Borey, Eddie. Going against King Creon's decree is too dangerous. Ismene swears she will bury Polynices herself then. Brecht's The Antigone of Sophocles was performed in 1948 in Switzerland. The brothers killed each other in a duel, making Creon king. Sentry 12. Antigone and Ismene are the sisters of the dead brothers, and they are now the last children of the ill-fated Oedipus. Its spring is wound, and it will uncoil by itself. Antigone refuses and bids Ismene to go back to bed. Haemon then stabbed himself and lay beside Antigone in a pool of blood. Creon, the new ruler of Thebes, has declared that Eteocles will be honored and Polyneices disgraced. Creon—the King of Thebes 5. Antigone—a daughter of Oedipus 2. The chorus is a fixture of Greek tragedies. Antigone's marriage is worth more to Thebes than her death. He knows his reign makes him loathsome but he has no choice. Antigone sends the Nurse away for coffee. 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. Detailed Summary & Analysis Lines 1-416 Lines 417-704 Lines 705-1090 Lines 1091-1470 Themes All Themes Blindness vs. Creon, on the other hand, devotes himself only to the order of the kingdom. Ismene returns, terrified that Antigone will attempt to bury Polynices despite the daylight. Date: Jun 29, 2019; Category: Antigone; Topic: Antigone Summaries; Page: 1; Words: 406; Downloads: 2 ; Disclaimer: This work has been donated by a student. Antigone calls on Creon to have her arrested, warning him that her disease is catching. Accompanied by a clear presentation and amusing images. The play was adapted by German playwright Bertolt Brecht and renamed The Antigone of Sophocles. Creon ordered Eteocles buried in honor and left Polynices to rot on the pain of death. Antigone replies that she is not here to understand, only to say no and die. All of Greece will despise him, and the sacrificial offerings of Thebes will not be accepted by the gods. Antigone challenges his servile happiness. Eurydice disappears into the palace. Queen’s attendants 11. A Sentry enters, fearfully reporting that the body has been buried. From a general summary to chapter summaries to explanations of famous quotes, the SparkNotes Antigone Study Guide has everything you need to ace quizzes, tests, and essays. Sophocles's Antigone was written in Greek. Being too cowardly to imprison him, Oedipus let him join the Argive army. Chorus—Theban elders who embody the views of the people of the city 4. Ace your assignments with our guide to Antigone! A furious Creon orders the Sentry to find the culprit or face death himself. Haemon enters and begs his father to stop the guards. King’s attendants 9. Antigone essays are academic essays for citation. The Guard rambles about his pay, rations, and professional quibbles. Suddenly Haemon enters and Antigone asks Haemon to hold her with all his strength. Creon, the new ruler of Thebes, has declared that Eteocles will be honored and Polyneices disgraced. The Sentry leaves, but after a short absence he returns, bringing Antigone with him. But Eteocles, Thebes' martyr, too plotted to overthrow his father. A summary of Antigone completed by Kayla Ferreira in Grade 10 at Reddam House College, Bedfordview. Antigone Introduction + Context. A distraught Ismene rushes in, begging Antigone's forgiveness and promising to help her. Plot of Antigone. He leaves with a retinue of men to help him right his previous mistakes. Later that day, the nervous First Guard enters and informs Creon that someone covered Polynices's body with a little dirt last night. Haemon—the son of Creon 7. The Guard asks if he can do anything for her. The Question and Answer section for Antigone is a great In the 1960s, Rosa Parks refused to give her seat up to a white person and started one of the biggest legal fights of the era. Upon being told of Haemon's death, Eurydice finished her row of knitting, climbed to her room, and cut her throat. All who had to die have now died. The Chorus closes by saying that although the gods punish the proud, punishment brings wisdom. The Chorus enters, announcing that it is Creon's turn. Polyneices and Eteocles, two brothers leading opposite sides in Thebes' civil war, have both been killed in battle. The First proposes that they throw a party. Antigone's important quotes, sortable by theme, character, or section. The chorus tells Creon that his order is arrogant and defiles the gods, another huge problem for the audience to watch. She recites her letter, "Forgive me, my darling. Once he is certain no one saw Antigone arrested, he orders her to bed, telling her to say that she has been ill. Antigone replies that she will only go out again tonight. Analysis. The Chorus, terrified, asks Creon to take their advice. Unlike melodrama, tragedy is clean, restful, and flawless. What is the main function of the chorus in this section of the play? The Guard rambles about his pay, rations, and professional quibbles. The Guard asks if he can do anything for her. What is Antigone’s plan, and what is Ismene’s response? The Messenger delivers the news: Antigone had just been immured, when the crowd heard Haemon's moan from within. Antigone interrupts him, pointing out that she is soon to die. Page content. She chooses to disobey the law and bury her brother not because she wants to make any big political statement but because he has every right to it. The order he valued so much has been protected, and he is still the king, but he has acted against the gods and lost his child and his wife as a result. Enraged, Creon seizes her arm and twists her to his side. He assents, and they tell him that he should bury Polyneices and free Antigone. All were defeated. In tragedy, everything is inevitable, hopeless, and known. The Plot; Major Conflicts; The Prologue; Scene 1; Scenes 2 and 3; Scenes 4 and 5; References; This post is part of the series: Antigone Study Guide; The Plot . A boy leading Teiresias 3. Antigone: Quotes. Antigone: Themes. The Chorus of Elders pledges their support. Antigone, in Greek legend, the daughter born of the unwittingly incestuous union of Oedipus and his mother, Jocasta. Antigone interrupts him, pointing out that she is soon to die. She is brought out of the house, and she bewails her fate and defends her actions one last time. A plot summary of Sophocles' Antigone. Creon enters, along with the Chorus of Theban Elders. She must not waste her life and its happiness. The Chorus is comprised of the Theban elders, vital for maintaining order in the city, and Creon summons them to... Antigone study guide contains a biography of Sophocles, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. The plot thickens because Creon’s son, Haemon is engaged to Antigone. Antigone Summary. In-depth summary and analysis of every section of Antigone. A practical man, he firmly distances himself from the tragic aspirations of Oedipus and his line. A Second Messenger arrives to tell Creon and the Chorus that Eurydice has killed herself. Literature Study Guides and Chapter Summaries. He warns Creon that the gods side with Antigone. She is of the tribe that asks questions and hates man's hope. Although Creon imagines his son is now filled with hatred for him, Haimon explains that he still respects and deeply cares for Creon. Plot Summary. Ismene refuses to help her, fearing the death penalty, but she is unable to dissuade Antigone from going to do the deed by herself. There is a siege in Thebes. In it, certain elements of plot seem to indicate that Sophocles, in this early period of his career, was still imitating the works of his predecessor Aeschylus. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. She asks if he could give someone a letter, offering him her ring. The Messenger reports that Haemon and Antigone have both taken their own lives. After her father blinded himself upon discovering that Jocasta was his mother and that, also unwittingly, he had slain his father, Antigone and her sister Ismene served as Oedipus’ guides. Antigone's plan, to bury the corpse of Polynices but Ismene thinks Antigone is foolhardy and should not do it . Dazed, Antigone moves to go her room. The Use of Light and Dark Images in Antigone. "Antigone Summary". A character in its own right, the … It is dawn, and the house is still asleep. Antigone, sister to the two brothers, defies Creon’s order. Antigone had hung herself. Upon Oedipus' death, it was agreed that each would take the throne from one year to the next. Both were gangsters. Antigone e-text contains the full text of Antigone by Sophocles. 2009-12-19. Of the three Theban plays Antigone is the third in order of the events depicted in the plays, but it is the first that was written. When Creon sent for their bodies, they were found mashed together in a bloody pulp. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from Sparknotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. Antigone Summary and Analysis of Lines 001-241. Creon blames himself for everything that has happened, and, a broken man, he asks his servants to help him inside. Lines 1-416. He seeks their support in the days to come, and in particular wants them to back his edict regarding the disposal of Polyneices' body. The Guard informs her that she is to be immured. After the first year, however, Eteocles, the elder, refused to step down. Creon is king of Thebes, bound to the duties of rule. Antigone Summary: Antigone begins with The two sons of Oedipus, Eteocles and Polyneices, who are fighting for the kingship of Thebes.Both men die in the battle. Uploaded by her Drama teacher, Antoinette Dowds Antigone is the girl who will rise up alone and die young. Next to the sisters' sits the Nurse and Queen Eurydice. A summary of Part X (Section4) in Jean Anouilh's Antigone. Oedipus, Antigone and Ismene's father, had two sons, Eteocles and Polynices. Polynices and six foreign princes marched on Thebes. Eurydice will knit until the time comes for her to go to her room and die. The Chorus introduces the players. Creon sends the guards out. Cite textual evidence and explain your understanding. In an era of strict cultural rules that curtailed women liberation, Sophocles created a character like Antigone which is a breakthrough in that age. He understands that his own actions have caused these events. First Ode: The Chorus of Old Men celebrate Thebes’ victory over Polynices’ army. Creon relents. He orders the guards to uncover the body and keep the matter secret. Introduction. The Chorus notes that truly if it had not been for Antigone, all would have been at peace. Antigone is a Greek tragedy by Sophocles, written in around 441BC.