Antigone

Name: Antigone
Author: Sophocles

By Sophocles

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About This Book

After a civil battle that leaves two brothers dead, a grieving sister resolves to bury the one whom the new ruler has outlawed from burial, thereby setting private piety against public decree. Her covert act provokes legal confrontation, debate with kin and elders, and intervention by a prophetic voice, and the chorus frames the unfolding moral crisis. The drama examines tensions between familial obligation and state authority, the collision of divine and human law, and the tragic consequences that follow when conscience and power collide.

About the Author

Sophocles

Sophocles was an ancient Greek playwright, renowned for his contributions to the genre of tragedy. He is best known for his works that explore complex themes of fate, morality, and the human condition. Among his most famous plays are "Oedipus Rex" and "Antigone," which remain pivotal in the study of literature and drama. Sophocles introduced innovations in theatrical performance, including the use of painted scenery and the addition of a third actor, which enhanced the dramatic possibilities of the stage. His works have had a lasting influence on Western literature and continue to be performed and studied for their profound insights into human nature.