Antigone by Sophocles (Book Analysis)

This practical and insightful reading guide offers a complete summary and analysis of Antigone by Sophocles. It provides a thorough exploration of the play’s plot, characters and main themes, including fate and death. The clear and concise style makes for easy understanding, providing the perfect opportunity to improve your literary knowledge in no time.

This clear and detailed 26-page reading guide is structured as follows:

• Biography of Sophocles
• Presentation of Antigone
• Summary of Antigone
• Character study
  • Antigone
  • Creon
  • Ismene
  • Haemon
  • The Chorus
• Analysis of Antigone
  • Mythology
  • The hero: alone against the world
  • Antigone: the play built on binary opposition and duality
  • The realms of the living and the dead
  • Tragic irony

About Antigone

Antigone was first performed in 442 BC and is probably the most famous Greek tragedy of all time. It tells the story of Antigone, the daughter of Oedipus, who defies King Creon’s order not to bury her brother, Polyneices. After various unfortunate developments, Antigone is eventually sentenced to death, thereby confirming herself as a symbol of dissidence in the face of the establishment.

About Sophocles

Sophocles is one of the most famous ancient Greek playwrights. Although he wrote an incredible amount of tragedies throughout his life, only seven have survived until the present day, among which are Antigone and Oedipus the King. He competed in a number of dramatic competitions in Athens, winning more than half of those he took part in.

Sophocles is known for having reduced the importance of the chorus in his plays and giving more importance to the thoughts and psyche of his characters. One of the ways he did this was by introducing a third character, which allowed for greater character interation and conflict. All of his plays deal with the tale of the mythological character Oedipus, who killed his parents without knowing who they were.