Introduction to Antigone

Antigone is a tragedy by Sophocles written around 441 BC. It is the third of the Theban plays but was the first written, exploring themes of civil disobedience and moral conflict.

The play is set in Thebes, after the Oedipus tragedy. Antigone, Oedipus's daughter, defies King Creon's decree to leave her brother Polynices unburied, a decision with dire consequences.

Creon, the new ruler of Thebes, must assert his authority and navigate the aftermath of war, but his stance on law and order clashes with familial piety and divine laws.

Antigone's act of burying her brother is both a defiance of state laws and an adherence to unwritten divine laws, sparking debates on justice and the individual's duty.

The Chorus in Antigone serves as both an observer and a commentator, reflecting public sentiment and providing insights into the unfolding drama and its moral complexities.

Antigone is often seen as a tragic heroine. Her unwavering commitment to her moral duty leads to her downfall, embodying the Greek concept of 'hubris' and 'pathos'.

Antigone has influenced numerous works and is pivotal in discussions of civil disobedience, inspiring later figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. in his 'Letter from Birmingham Jail'.