Task 1: Exploring Techniques: Greek Theatre: Antigone Exploration

 Antigone exploration 

Antigone is a play by Sophocles, and even though it happens last in the story, it was actually written before the other two plays in the Oedipus Trilogy. It was first performed a long time ago, around 441-442 B.C.E., but people still like it today because it talks about important things like making choices and not following the rules when they're unfair.

Antigone is supposed to marry her cousin Haemon, and her uncle Creon is now in charge of her father's kingdom. But there's a big problem: Antigone's brothers, Polyneices and Eteocles, killed each other in a fight. Creon says that Eteocles should have a proper hero's burial, but Polyneices (the traitor) should not. He even tells everyone in the city that everyone is forbidden to do any funeral rites for Polyneices.

Antigone doesn't like this at all. She doesn't rebel just to be rebellious; she does it because she loves her brother and thinks it's unfair. She wants to do what's right, even if it means going against Creon's strict rules. She asks her sister Ismene to help but Ismene refuses as she is petrified of being stoned to Death ; she tries to convince Antigone not to follow through with her plans.

Antigone carries out her plan although the body is being guarded by soldiers. Creon is upset by this and tells the guard he had better find out who carried out the burial or he will kill the guard in their place. The guard hauls Antigone before the king and explains that he caught Antigone trying to re bury her brother after he returned to his post so he arrested her. This puts Creon in a moral dilemma as Antigone is his niece. Antigone admits the crime and argues with Creon about his moral decree. Creon states that although she is his niece the law still must be upheld even if it ends in violent death. Antigone continues to argue that both brothers deserve the same burial.

Creon then questions Ismene as to whether she helped Antigone with her plan. She surprisingly admits that she did help but Antigone says that she is lying and won’t let her take any of the blame and then states that she doesn’t need any friends like her who only help with words and not actions.

Creon imprisons both women while he comes to his decision. He has no intention of sparring Antigone. Haemon (Antigone’s fiance and Creon’s son) speaks to his father and pleas with him that Antigone does not deserve to die. Creon explains that Antigone’s punishment will be that she will be sealed in a cave and left to starve to death. Teiresias the seer (one with supernatural powers) tries to talk sense into Creon and explains to him that his biggest mistake is that he can’t admit he was wrong not to give Polyneices a proper burial. The chorus agree with Teiresias as he has never been wrong before. They beg him to free Antigone and give Polyneices a proper burial.

Creon agrees and frees Antigone but it is too late. Antigone and Haemon have taken their own lives. The queen (Eurydice) overhears and before she too takes her own life she curse Creon for taking away her only son.

This play carries themes of moral dilemmas; is it proper to deny a burial to the dead based on their actions in life.

Fate & free will; are the consequences from Oedipus’ curse however the characters also make free choices.

Conflict of duty and family; Creon battles between being king and stating laws but also family loyalty.

The themes in "Antigone" make it a really interesting and long-lasting piece of writing. It helps us think about tough questions about what's right and wrong, even in today's world. People still find it meaningful because it deals with important moral issues.


Antigone tableau










antigone rehersal 



antigone performance 



antigone feedback 


antigone freeze frames 




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