Study Guide for Sophocles' Antigone and The Oedipus Plays

• Antigone: The protagonist of the play, Antigone is a young woman who is strong-willed and determined to do what she believes is right.
• Ismene: Antigone's younger sister, Ismene is a more cautious and fearful character who is reluctant to defy Creon's orders.
• Creon: The King of Thebes, Creon is a proud and stubborn ruler who is determined to maintain order in his kingdom, even if it means breaking the law.
• Haemon: Creon's son and Antigone's fiancé, Haemon is a noble and compassionate young man who tries to reason with his father.
• Tiresias: A blind prophet, Tiresias warns Creon that his actions will lead to disaster.

The play begins as Antigone and Ismene are mourning the death of their brothers, Eteocles and Polynices. Creon has declared that Eteocles will be buried with honors, but Polynices will be left unburied as a traitor. Antigone refuses to accept this decree and decides to bury Polynices herself. When Creon discovers what she has done, he sentences her to death.

Haemon pleads with his father to spare Antigone's life, but Creon is unmoved. Antigone is taken away to be buried alive. However, before she can be killed, she hangs herself. When Creon learns of her death, he is overcome with remorse and realizes the error of his ways.

• The conflict between duty and conscience: Antigone is faced with a difficult choice between obeying the law and following her conscience. She ultimately chooses to follow her conscience, even though it means defying the king.
• The importance of family: Antigone's love for her brother is stronger than her fear of death. She is willing to risk her own life to give him a proper burial.
• The dangers of pride: Creon's pride leads to his downfall. He refuses to listen to reason and advice, and he is ultimately responsible for the deaths of his son and niece.

The Oedipus Plays is a trilogy of plays by Sophocles that tells the story of Oedipus, a king who is destined to kill his father and marry his mother. The trilogy consists of the plays Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone.

Study Guide for Sophocles's Antigone (The Oedipus Plays) (Course Hero Study Guides)

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• Oedipus: The protagonist of the trilogy, Oedipus is a complex and tragic figure who is ultimately responsible for his own downfall.
• Jocasta: Oedipus's wife and mother, Jocasta is a strong and independent woman who is unaware of her true relationship to Oedipus.
• Laius: Oedipus's father, Laius is a cruel and tyrannical king who is killed by his own son.
• Tiresias: A blind prophet, Tiresias warns Oedipus that he will kill his father and marry his mother.
• Creon: Oedipus's brother-in-law, Creon is a loyal and compassionate man who helps Oedipus to discover the truth about his past.

The Oedipus Plays tell the story of Oedipus's rise to power and his subsequent downfall. In Oedipus Rex, Oedipus investigates the murder of King Laius and ultimately discovers that he is the killer. In Oedipus at Colonus, Oedipus is exiled from Thebes and seeks refuge in Athens. In Antigone, Oedipus's daughter, Antigone, defies Creon's orders and buries her brother, Polynices.

• The power of fate: Oedipus is unable to escape his fate, even though he tries to do so. This shows that fate is a powerful force that can control even the most powerful of people.
• The importance of self-knowledge: Oedipus's journey is a journey of self-discovery. He ultimately learns who he is and what he has done.
• The dangers of pride: Oedipus's pride leads to his downfall. He refuses to believe that he could be the killer of his father and the husband of his mother.

1. What are the main conflicts in Antigone?
2. How does Antigone's character develop over the course of the play?
3. What are the main themes of The Oedipus Plays?
4. How does Oedipus's character change over the course of the trilogy?
5. What are the similarities and differences between Antigone and The Oedipus Plays?

Study Guide for Sophocles's Antigone (The Oedipus Plays) (Course Hero Study Guides)

by Course Hero

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	882 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	40 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE