In Our Time: Culture

Antigone

Apr 21, 2022

The podcast explores the Greek tragedy 'Antigone' and its themes of conflict between generations, state and individual, autocracy and openness. It discusses the character of Creon and his transformation into an autocrat. The significance of Tari S's blindness and the unfolding tragic events are analyzed. The impact and significance of Antigone in various historical contexts are explored. Antigone's loyalty to the gods of the dead and the skillful writing of the play are discussed. The significance of plotting in tragedy and the influence of Sophocles are examined.

54:11

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Quick takeaways

The conflict between personal loyalty and state authority drives the tragic events of Sophocles' play Antigone.

Creon's autocratic tendencies and resistance to advice lead to his downfall, highlighting the importance of openness in leadership.

Antigone's defiance of state authority raises questions about the conflict between divine and human laws, challenging the limits of state authority.

Deep dives

The central conflict between Antigone and Creon

Antigone and Creon are the opposing forces in the play, representing the individual and the state, respectively. While Creon decrees that Antigone's brother, a traitor, should not be buried, Antigone defies him and insists on giving her brother a proper burial, driven by her strong bond with her family. This conflict between personal loyalty and state authority sets the stage for the tragic events that unfold.

Introduction

2min

Conflict and Tragedy in 'Antigone'

9min

The Burial Dilemma

5min

The Character of Creon: Power, Paranoia, and Autocracy

15min

The Blindness of Tari S and Tragic Events Unfold

4min

Exploring the Impact and Significance of Antigone

16min

Antigone's Loyalty to the Gods of the Dead and the Skillful Writing of the Play

2min

Plotting in Tragedy and the Influence of Sophocles

3min

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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In Our Time: Culture

Antigone

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The central conflict between Antigone and Creon

The portrayal of leadership and decision-making

The tension between divine and human laws

The portrayal of gender and generational conflicts

The tragic consequences of hubris and excessive pride

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts