Themes 

Civil disobedience

Antigone embodies civil disobedience by defying King Creon's decree and choosing to bury her brother, Polynices. This act highlights the clash between personal ethics and institutional mandates. Her defiance indicates that her allegiance is to divine commandments over human laws.

Natural versus human law

Antigone centers on the conflict between divine mandates and man-made legislation. Antigone believes the gods require proper burial rites, suggesting mortal law cannot overrule these traditions. Creon prioritizes state law, creating a tragic clash of principles.

Moral and ethical dilemmas

Both Antigone and Creon face significant ethical decisions. Antigone places familial and religious duties above societal expectations. Creon's focus on civil order leads to his downfall. This illustrates the complex interplay between personal values, legal adherence, and family ties.

Individual conscience versus state authority

Antigone acts from personal conviction, challenging state authority. Haemon, Creon's son, also questions this stance, advocating for governance by collective voices instead of a dictatorship. This situation underscores the dangers of absolute power and the role of personal discernment in politics.

Literary techniques

Sophocles uses various literary techniques in Antigone to add depth and thematic layers. Symbolism plays a key role, with the stone tomb representing Creon's authoritative rule and his challenge to divine laws. The chorus introduces foreshadowing, indicating the tragic fate awaiting Creon, as exemplified when Tiresias warns him of dire outcomes for ignoring prophetic advice.

Dramatic irony is a significant device, evident in Creon's unawareness of his impending downfall. While he enforces a strict law against burying Polynices, the audience understands the tragic consequences of his pride. Metaphors, such as Haemon's analogy of trees bending in the wind, underscore the need for adaptability against rigid authority. These techniques together explore themes of power, pride, and fate.

Historical context 

Antigone by Sophocles, first performed around 441 BC, reflects the sociopolitical climate of ancient Greece. At the time, Greece was experiencing a transition as city-states like Athens moved from oligarchic rule toward democracy. This period saw intense debates on governance. Sophocles explores themes of allegiance, law, and rebellion, resonating with a society often involved in wars and internal conflict. The play examines the clash between human-made laws and divine decrees. This theme was relevant against the backdrop of evolving Greek legal systems and philosophical discourse. During a time of political and social upheaval, Antigone addresses the struggle between personal conscience and state power, a theme that remains significant today.

Quick facts

• Antigone was first performed at the Festival of Dionysus around 442-440 BC.

• Antigone is part of the Theban plays, along with Oedipus Rex and Oedipus at Colonus.

• Sophocles wrote Antigone before Oedipus Rex, though its events occur last chronologically.

• The play focuses on Antigone’s moral conflict with King Creon over his decree forbidding her brother’s burial.

• Antigone defies Creon, insisting burial rites align with divine, unwritten laws.

• The play explores major themes such as civil disobedience, familial loyalty, and divine versus human law.

• Sophocles's portrayal of Antigone as a strong female lead challenges traditional gender roles in ancient Greek society.

• The play highlights Creon's tragic downfall driven by pride and rigid adherence to the law.

• Modern adaptations of Antigone frequently transpose its themes into contemporary political contexts.

• Jean Anouilh's WWII adaptation was a symbolic resistance to Nazism, portraying Creon as authoritarian.

Film adaptations

Antigone has inspired several film adaptations. George Tzavellas's 1961 adaptation, with Irene Papas as Antigone, closely follows the original play, focusing on the conflict between personal conviction and state laws. Sophie Deraspe's 2019 Canadian film reinterprets Antigone in a modern context. Set in Montreal, this adaptation addresses contemporary sociopolitical issues such as the refugee crisis and systemic injustice, reinforcing the relevance of Sophocle’s play to current global dilemmas.

About the author

Sophocles, born around 496 BCE in Colonus near Athens, made significant contributions to ancient Greek drama. He introduced the use of a third actor, increasing the complexity of character interactions and plot development. He wrote more than 120 plays, according to scholars, yet only seven have survived. Oedipus Rex and Antigone are among these enduring works. His dramas address themes of human suffering, offering psychological and moral contemplation. Sophocles also held public positions, such as treasurer and general, integrating civic roles with his artistic pursuits. His innovations in drama and thematic exploration continue to influence literary discourse, engaging with questions of fate, autonomy, and the divine.