Antigone

Make his own rules, scold two nieces and a son, sentence a niece to death, threaten a blind prophet and try to undo his previous actions are what Creon does in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban King Creon decides to turn divinely ordained rights of Thebans to below-ground burials and funeral rites into royally decreed privileges. He bullies his nieces, the Princesses Antigone and Ismene, and his sole remaining child, Prince Haemon, when Antigone dares to bury Polyneices, her brother and Creon's nephew. When Teiresias the blind prophet dares to criticize non-burials and death sentences, he too is insulted and threatened. It is only when the chorus leader advises doing what Teiresias says to do that Creon tries to undo all his mistakes.

Near the entrances at the front of the royal palace of Thebes is where the action takes place in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, all onstage action takes place near the side or main entrances to the Theban royal palace. Flashbacks and conversations bring in events that take place elsewhere in ancient Greece, in and around Thebes, and inside the palace. But the play still respects the ancient Greek ideal of the dramatic unity of time, plot, and place: all onstage action takes place in one location within a 24-hour period during which a problem is raised and resolved.

Arrogance and stubbornness are Antigone's and Creon's common qualities that contribute to the conflict in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone demonstrates arrogance when in thinking that she can respect the gods but disrespect King Creon, the gods' earthly representative in Thebes. In return, Creon exhibits arrogance in thinking that he can issue a royal edict that contradicts divine will and cherished Theban traditions. They both express stubbornness in refusing to budge from their respective positions.

One day is the time that is covered in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, the dramatist observes the three unities in ancient Greek drama. That means that the action takes place in one set location over one set time period. The events must begin and end within a day.

Consolidating royal power, continuing to punish the disloyal in death and discouraging future challenges and rebellions are Creon's motives in issuing the non-burial edict in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban King Creon issues an edict that denies to some Thebans divinely sanctioned guarantees of below-ground burials and funeral rites for all Thebans. He is sobered by the recent civil war over the royal succession during the reign of his nephew Eteocles. He does not want his royal authority similarly challenged and finds the best way of securing the throne for him and his family is to punish disloyal Thebans in life and death.

Kill herself is what happens to Antigone in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone breaks her uncle King Creon's law by burying her brother Polyneices. She gets sentenced to death. She hangs herself rather than endure death by live burial and starvation.

There is no victor in the battle between Eteocles and Polyneices in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, twin brothers Eteocles and Polyneices kill each other in the final battle of the civil war over the Theban royal succession. Neither one prevails. But Eteocles' forces triumph over those of Polyneices and his Argive supporters. So Eteocles' usurping line wins ... for the time being.

Risk-taker versus intimidated is the main difference between Antigone and Ismene in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone has a daunting personality that leads her to risk her life for a cause. There is nothing quiet about the way she goes about burying her brother Polyneices, a crime punishable by execution. In contrast, her sister Princess Ismene makes every effort to comply with the laws of her daunting uncle King Creon who intimidates her.

It is only in the second scene that the chorus leader mentions Oedipus in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, the chorus leader is present for Theban Princess Antigone's interrogation by her uncle King Creon. He is quick to cast judgment. He observes that Antigone is very much like her father, disgraced King Oedipus, in her lack of luck and self-control.

A fault is a defect or weakness in an individual's character or personality. In terms of Antigone, her main fault is her uncontrolled passion that disrespects the feelings of others. She's so convinced of the correctness of her beliefs and actions that she doesn't want to hear or reconcile opposing beliefs and actions. As a result, related faults that Antigone shows are pride and stubbornness. She also shows a certain lack of forgiveness in not giving her sister Ismene a chance to make up for earlier disappointments.

But there are a number of faults that Antigone lacks. She isn't covetous, envious, or jealous. Neither is she cowardly, deceitful or greedy. Nor is she lazy, lustful, selfish or vain.

Confidante, dynamic, foil, static and stock are five character types in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone confides in her foil, the completely opposite sister Princess Ismene. She confronts her uncle King Creon, who ultimately changes from a vindictive dictator to a determined penitent to an emotional wreck. Antigone maintains the same predictable, unchanging behavior and outlook whether she interacts with guards or relatives. Her predictability may be rivaled by the play's token wise man, Teiresias the blind prophet.

That it makes her heroism all the more courageous and remarkable is the way in which Antigone's gender affects her as a heroic figure in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone accomplishes the heroic deed of burying her brother Polyneices. She demonstrates the heroic power of confronting her daunting uncle King Creon. Both deeds fall within the remarkable when done by men and within the stunning when done by women.

It is Haemon who discovers Antigone's body in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban Prince Haemon goes to the cave in which Princess Antigone, his first cousin and bride-to-be, is walled up. He finds her hanging dead from the halter of her own dress. He does not indicate whether his original intent is to rescue or join her, but it turns out to be the latter, in death.

That the body of Polyneices is buried is the news that the guard brings in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.E.C.).

Specifically, Theban King Creon issues an edict that denies to certain Thebans god-given rights to below-ground burials and proper funeral rites. He knows the edict to be unpopular and therefore posts guards to make sure that no Theban whom he considers disloyal will be buried. It therefore upsets him to hear about the civil disobedience.