Ahh Antigone.

This story picks up where Sophocles' other tales leave off. When we meet up with Antigone, both of her brothers have been killed in a civil war as they fight to become king, as Oedipus has gone into self imposed exile and Thebes is kingless. Neither of the brothers survive abd Creon, Antigone's uncle becomes king. He then passes an edict that allows for Etocles to have a hero's burial, while Polynices gets to rot on the battlefield. Anyone who tries to bury him receives the death penalty.

Antigone hates to see that happen so she asks her sister Ismene to help her bury their brother. Ismene refuses to help for fear of dying, so Antigone does it alone. She gets caught and brought before Creon who is angry that anyone has dared to disobey his edict. Antigone stands by what she has done, prompting Creon to think Ismene had something to do with this reckless action. Ismene tries to take blame for the burial, and Antigone stops her. Creon has them both locked up, and his son Haemon comes to side with his dad, before realizing that all of Thebes stands behind Antigone.

Tiresas makes his appearance again, this time warning Creon that he must bury Polynices soon and that he will pay for his mistakes by losing the "fruit of his loins". Creon accuses Tiresas if being corrupt and sends him away.

What follows is proof of Creon's mistakes and his failure to listen to people who know the future. I'll let you enjoy the ending, but bear in mind Sophocles is a tedious read. This was an assignment for a class, so I had to read it. But if you so choose to do so on your own volition, I do recommend it.

Happy Reading!

Alexandra