Antigone by Sophocles explores themes of leadership, the role of women, and the clash between divine and human laws.
The play highlights issues of democracy, oligarchy, and societal norms through its portrayal of Thebes.
Antigone's defiance of Creon's order leads to a tragic outcome, addressing the abuse of power and the consequences of personal actions.
Deep dives
Antigone, the Most Performed and Ambiguous Greek Tragedy
Antigone by Sophocles is considered the most performed of all Greek tragedies. The play revolves around a conflict between generations, the state and the individual, and the power dynamics between characters. Antigone's uncle, Creon, decrees that her brother, a traitor, should not be given a proper burial, but she defies him. This play explores themes of leadership, the role of women, and the clash between divine and human laws.
Sophocles and the Setting of Thebes
Sophocles, the playwright, was a well-born Athenian who served in public office multiple times, giving him direct experience of leadership and decision-making. The play is set in Thebes, a city historically opposed to Athens, and known for its embattled ruling class and dark politics. The background story and conflict are rooted in the ancestral legacy of the city. Sophocles' portrayal of Thebes highlighted issues of democracy, oligarchy, and societal norms.
The Plot and Characters of Antigone
The play revolves around the conflict between Antigone and her uncle, Creon. After Antigone's brother is killed in battle, Creon forbids a proper burial for him. Antigone defies this order and is arrested, leading to a clash with Creon. Haimon, Creon's son and Antigone's betrothed, tries to convince his father to reconsider, but fails. The blind prophet Tiresias warns Creon of the consequences of his actions, but it is too late. Antigone hangs herself, Haimon stabs himself, and Creon is left with the life worse than death, facing the loss of his family and the consequences of his decisions.
Performance and Reception
Antigone has been widely adapted and performed throughout history. Notable productions include the 1944 staging in Paris, which drew parallels to the resistance against Nazi occupation, and Nelson Mandela's prison production on Robben Island. The play continues to resonate in modern times, exploring themes of resistance, individual rights, feminism, and the balance of power between the state and the individual. Different translations and interpretations have contributed to its enduring relevance and appeal.
The Richness of Antigone and Its Themes
Antigone presents a rich tapestry of themes, including the conflict between divine and human laws, the role of women in society, the abuse of power, and the consequences of personal actions. Its complex characters and moral dilemmas have inspired various interpretations across different disciplines, including philosophy, psychoanalysis, and feminist theory. Sophocles masterfully weaves together philosophical debates, dramatic tension, and emotional depth, creating a timeless tragedy that continues to captivate audiences.
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss what is reputedly the most performed of all Greek tragedies. Antigone, by Sophocles (c496-c406 BC), is powerfully ambiguous, inviting the audience to reassess its values constantly before the climax of the play resolves the plot if not the issues. Antigone is barely a teenager and is prepared to defy her uncle Creon, the new king of Thebes, who has decreed that nobody should bury the body of her brother, a traitor, on pain of death. This sets up a conflict between generations, between the state and the individual, uncle and niece, autocracy and pluralism, and it releases an enormous tragic energy that brings sudden death to Antigone, her fiance Haemon who is also Creon's son, and to Creon's wife Eurydice, while Creon himself is condemned to a living death of grief.
With
Edith Hall
Professor of Classics at Durham University
Oliver Taplin
Emeritus Professor of Classics, University of Oxford
And
Lyndsay Coo
Senior Lecturer in Ancient Greek Language and Literature at the University of Bristol
Producer: Simon Tillotson
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