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"Antigone" by Sophocles is a powerful tragedy in the Theban Plays, following the story of Antigone, the daughter of Oedipus. The play addresses themes of law, justice, and the conflict between individual conscience and state policy. Here's a summary:
1. Background: The play is set in the aftermath of the Theban civil war, where Antigone's brothers, Eteocles and Polynices, have killed each other in battle. Eteocles is given a hero's burial, but Creon, the new king of Thebes and Antigone’s uncle, decrees that Polynices is not to be buried because he was a traitor.
2. Antigone's Defiance: Defying Creon's edict, Antigone decides to bury her brother Polynices, believing that divine law is more important than human law. She is caught in the act and brought before Creon.
3. Creon's Stance: Creon is adamant about enforcing the law and maintaining order in the state, regardless of any familial ties. He refuses to yield even when his son Haemon, who is engaged to Antigone, pleads for her life.
4. Antigone's Punishment: Antigone is sentenced to be entombed alive. She is taken away to her living tomb, steadfast in her belief that she has done what is morally right.
5. Tragic Developments: Tiresias, the blind prophet, warns Creon that the gods disapprove of his actions and that he must bury Polynices and free Antigone. Initially, Creon refuses, but alarmed by the prophecy, he eventually relents.
6. Creon's Realization and Despair: However, Creon's change of heart comes too late. Antigone has hanged herself in the tomb. Haemon, in despair upon finding her, kills himself. When Creon’s wife, Eurydice, learns of her son's death, she, too, takes her own life.
7. Creon's Ruin: The play ends with Creon, having lost his son and wife, in utter desolation. He has learned a harsh lesson about pride and the need for flexible, compassionate leadership.
"Antigone" explores the conflict between personal conviction and the rules that govern society, questioning where true justice lies. The play remains relevant for its exploration of civil disobedience, moral vs. legal obligations, and the tragic consequences of stubbornness and pride.
