Antigone (Sophocles)

This section explores the play Antigone by Sophocles, focusing on: the structure, setting, staging, characters, themes and the historical and cultural context of the play. Antigone is a powerful exploration of the conflict between personal morality and state law, the consequences of absolute power, and the tragic impact of human hubris. Through its complex characters and timeless themes, the play continues to resonate as a profound commentary on the limits of authority, the role of the individual in society, and the moral dilemmas that arise from conflicting duties.

Structure of the Play

Antigone is a Greek tragedy written by Sophocles, and it adheres to the classical structure of Ancient Greek theatre, consisting of parodos, episodes, stasimon, and exodus. The play is divided into five acts, though the specific structure follows the conventions of Greek tragedy rather than modern acts.

• Prologue: The opening scene in which Antigone explains her decision to defy Creon’s edict and bury her brother, Polynices. This sets up the central conflict between personal duty and state law.
• Parodos: The chorus enters and sings a hymn, typically reflecting on the events of the prologue. In Antigone, they reflect on the recent war between the brothers, Eteocles and Polynices, and the moral and political implications of the conflict.
• Episodes: These are the scenes between the characters, where the action unfolds. The conflict between Antigone and Creon drives these episodes, as the tension between familial duty and political law becomes more apparent.
• Stasimon: After each episode, the chorus comments on the action and reflects on its moral or philosophical implications. The chorus represents the voice of the Theban citizens and often offers wisdom or cautionary remarks.
• Exodus: The final scene, where the tragic consequences of the characters' actions unfold, resulting in the death of Antigone and the downfall of Creon. The play ends with a reflection on the moral lessons of the story.

The circular structure of Greek tragedy, with the chorus offering commentary throughout, emphasises the themes of fate, justice, and the consequences of human action.

Setting and Staging

Antigone was originally performed in the Theatre of Dionysus in Athens, which was an open-air amphitheatre, allowing for large-scale performances. The physical setting of the play is minimal, focusing on symbolic gestures and dialogue rather than complex sets.

• The stage was traditionally a flat area in front of a large, semi-circular seating area. The actors performed in elaborate masks and costumes, which were highly symbolic and helped to define their roles.
• The Skene, a building at the back of the stage, was used for entrances and exits. It often represented the palace or a place of authority.
• The chorus was usually positioned in a dancing floor (or orchestra), which is circular and at the base of the stage. They played a significant role in providing commentary on the action and guiding the audience’s moral response to the unfolding events.

In terms of symbolism, the setting can be viewed as a reflection of the moral and political landscape. The palace of Creon represents the authority of the state, while the burial sites of the brothers reflect the family’s sacred duties. The public square where the conflict is played out highlights the tension between private and public responsibilities.

Historical and Cultural Context

Antigone was written in 441 BCE, during the height of the Athenian Empire. The play reflects the political, social, and religious concerns of the time, especially the tensions between personal morality and state law.

• The Polis: Ancient Greek city-states, like Thebes, were deeply rooted in patriotism and loyalty to the state. Creon, as the ruler, embodies the state’s authority, which contrasts with Antigone’s devotion to familial duty. This reflects the larger debate in Greek society about the role of law and the individual within the polis.
• Religious Context: The play also engages with the religious practice of proper burial rites. In ancient Greece, the proper burial of the dead was crucial for the soul’s journey to the afterlife, and to deny a proper burial was a grave offence. Antigone’s defiance of Creon’s order to leave Polynices unburied thus represents a fundamental conflict between divine law and human law.
• Thematic Concerns: Sophocles wrote during a time of political turmoil in Athens, particularly following the Peloponnesian War. The play addresses themes of obedience to authority, family loyalty, and the limits of power. The tragedy reflects Athens’ struggles with democratic ideals and the consequences of absolute power.

The play's exploration of the conflict between the individual and the state resonates with the broader philosophical and political debates of 5th-century BCE Greece, especially in a society grappling with democracy and tyranny.

Characters

• Antigone: The central protagonist, Antigone is a strong-willed, defiant woman who places divine law above the laws of the state. She is driven by her sense of family duty and religious obligation, especially in her desire to give her brother Polynices a proper burial. Antigone is portrayed as fearless, unyielding, and ultimately tragic in her commitment to her principles. She represents the individual who challenges societal norms.
• Creon: The king of Thebes, Creon is the antagonist of the play. His primary concern is the stability of the state, and he issues a decree forbidding the burial of Polynices, seeing him as a traitor to Thebes. Creon embodies the law of the state, and his tragic flaw is his rigid adherence to that law. His inflexibility leads to his downfall, making him a classic tragic figure who suffers due to his own hubris (excessive pride).
• Ismene: Antigone’s sister, who represents the opposite of Antigone in terms of character. Ismene is conformist, fearful of defying Creon’s orders, and initially refuses to help Antigone bury Polynices. However, she later expresses remorse and offers to share Antigone’s punishment, symbolising obedience to authority and the role of women in a patriarchal society.
• Haemon: Creon’s son and Antigone’s fiancé. Haemon is caught between his loyalty to his father and his love for Antigone. He represents the tragic conflict between family loyalty and duty to the state. His eventual suicide after Antigone’s death compounds Creon’s suffering.
• Tiresias: The blind prophet who warns Creon about the consequences of his actions, predicting that the gods will punish him for his refusal to allow Polynices’ burial. Tiresias represents divine wisdom and the voice of moral conscience, urging Creon to reconsider his decisions before it is too late.
• Chorus: The Chorus in Antigone consists of Theban elders who provide commentary on the action, offering reflections on the moral implications of the events. The chorus acts as a moral voice, often discussing themes of fate, the gods, and human hubris.

Themes

• Conflict between Divine Law and Human Law: The central theme of Antigone is the tension between divine law (the laws of the gods) and human law (the laws of the state). Antigone believes that she must obey the divine command to bury her brother, while Creon insists on enforcing the laws of the state. This conflict underscores the limits of human authority and the consequences of defying divine will.
• Fate and Free Will: Greek tragedies often explore the tension between fate and free will, and Antigone is no exception. Both Antigone and Creon are portrayed as acting according to their convictions, but both ultimately face tragic consequences, suggesting that their destinies may have been sealed by the gods long before the events of the play unfold.
• Power and Authority: Creon represents the absolute power of the state, while Antigone represents the individual's duty to family and the gods. The tragedy explores the dangers of tyranny and the consequences of an uncompromising attitude towards authority. Creon’s inability to listen to others—especially the advice of Tiresias and his own son, Haemon—leads to his downfall.
• Gender and Role of Women: Antigone challenges the traditional gender roles of ancient Greek society. As a woman, her defiance of Creon’s authority is highly unconventional. Her actions question the expectations placed upon women, particularly in terms of obedience and submission to male authority.
• Hubris and Consequences: Hubris, or excessive pride, is a major theme in Greek tragedy. Creon’s hubris in insisting on his law over divine will leads to his tragic downfall. Both Antigone and Creon suffer because of their pride and unwillingness to compromise, embodying the consequences of overstepping human limits.