Literary Devices in Antigone ✍️

By Sophocles

Contents

Introduction

Welcome to the captivating world of Antigone by Sophocles! 📖 Written around 441 BC, this ancient Greek tragedy forms part of the Theban Plays trilogy. Sophocles, one of the three great tragedians of classical Athens, explores themes of state versus individual, conscience versus law, and familial loyalty. The play is renowned for its profound moral and ethical questions, making it a timeless piece in literature. Let’s dive into this intriguing story! 🌟

Plot Summary

Antigone begins with the aftermath of a civil war in Thebes, where Antigone and her sister Ismene are mourning their brothers, Eteocles and Polynices, who killed each other in battle. Creon, the new ruler of Thebes, decrees that Eteocles will be honored with a proper burial, but Polynices, considered a traitor, will be left unburied. Defying Creon’s edict, Antigone decides to bury her brother Polynices out of familial duty and divine law.

Exposition: The play opens with Antigone and Ismene discussing Creon’s edict and Antigone’s determination to defy it.
Rising Action: Antigone buries Polynices and is caught by Creon’s guards. She boldly confesses her actions, leading to her arrest.
Climax: Creon sentences Antigone to death, despite pleas from his son Haemon, who is betrothed to Antigone. Haemon argues for Antigone’s release, but Creon remains adamant.
Falling Action: The blind prophet Tiresias warns Creon that the gods disapprove of his actions and that he will bring disaster upon Thebes. Creon reluctantly decides to free Antigone.
Resolution: Tragically, it’s too late. Antigone has hanged herself, Haemon kills himself in grief, and Creon’s wife, Eurydice, also takes her life upon hearing the news. Creon is left in utter desolation.

Character Analysis

Let’s delve into the main characters of Antigone and their traits:

Antigone: Brave, determined, and morally driven, she defies Creon’s decree to honor her brother. Her unwavering commitment to familial duty and divine law highlights her strong will and integrity.
Creon: The king of Thebes, Creon is stubborn and authoritarian. His rigid adherence to state law and refusal to listen to reason lead to his downfall and the loss of his family.
Ismene: Antigone’s sister, who initially hesitates to join Antigone in defying Creon but later offers her support. She represents the more cautious and obedient side of human nature.
Haemon: Creon’s son and Antigone’s fiancé, Haemon is rational and compassionate. He attempts to mediate between Antigone and Creon, embodying the conflict between personal loyalty and civic duty.
Tiresias: The blind prophet who warns Creon of the gods’ disapproval. His role underscores the theme of fate and divine intervention in human affairs.
Eurydice: Creon’s wife, whose suicide adds to Creon’s tragic realization of his errors.

Character	Personality	Motivations	Development
Antigone	Brave, determined, morally driven	To honor her brother, follow divine law	Remains steadfast, becomes tragic hero
Creon	Stubborn, authoritarian	Maintain order, assert power	Realizes flaws too late, loses family
Ismene	Cautious, obedient	Protect herself and family	Supports Antigone, shows inner conflict
Haemon	Rational, compassionate	Save Antigone, mediate conflict	Despairs at Antigone’s death, suicides
Tiresias	Wise, prophetic	Warn Creon of divine displeasure	Stays true to prophetic role
Eurydice	Maternal, loving	Family welfare	Ends her life in grief

Themes and Symbols

Antigone is rich in themes and symbols that enhance its profound messages:

State vs. Individual: The conflict between Creon’s laws and Antigone’s moral duty emphasizes the struggle between civic authority and personal conscience.
Divine Law vs. Human Law: Antigone believes in the supremacy of divine laws over human laws, showcasing the tension between religious beliefs and state governance.
Family Loyalty: Antigone’s dedication to her family highlights the importance of familial bonds and duties.
Tragic Flaws: Both Antigone and Creon exhibit hubris, leading to their respective downfalls.
Fate and Free Will: The characters’ actions seem predestined by fate, yet their choices underscore the theme of free will.
Symbols:
The Tomb: Represents death and the consequences of defying divine and human laws.
The City of Thebes: A symbol of order and state authority, contrasting with individual rebellion.
Burial Rites: Symbolize respect for the dead and adherence to divine customs.

Style and Tone

Sophocles’ style and tone in Antigone contribute significantly to the play’s impact:

Formal and Poetic Language: The use of lyrical and formal language elevates the dialogue and adds a sense of gravitas.
Choral Odes: The chorus provides background information, comments on the action, and reflects on the themes, enhancing the play’s moral and philosophical depth.
Dramatic Irony: The audience knows more about the characters’ fates than they do, creating a sense of inevitability and tragedy.
Sympathetic Tone: Despite their flaws, characters are portrayed with empathy, making their tragic ends more poignant.

Literary Devices used in Antigone

Tragic Hero: Antigone and Creon both fit the definition of a tragic hero with their fatal flaws leading to their downfall.
Hubris: Excessive pride is a central flaw in both Antigone and Creon, causing their tragic fates.
Irony: Dramatic and situational irony are prevalent, especially in the characters’ awareness and actions.
Foreshadowing: Tiresias’ prophecies hint at the tragic events to come.
Symbolism: Objects and actions (e.g., the tomb, burial rites) carry deeper meanings related to the themes.
Catharsis: The play evokes pity and fear, leading to a cathartic experience for the audience.
Chorus: Acts as a commentator and provides insight into the play’s events and themes.
Conflict: Central to the plot, highlighting the struggles between characters and ideas.
Allusion: References to Greek mythology and gods deepen the play’s context and significance.
Pathos: Emotional appeals are used to elicit empathy for the characters’ plights.

Literary Device Examples

Literary Devices Examples

Tragic Hero

Example	Explanation
Antigone’s defiance	Her moral righteousness leads to her demise
Creon’s stubbornness	His insistence on law results in personal loss
Antigone’s unwavering principles	Her tragic fate stems from her unyielding adherence to divine law

Hubris

Example	Explanation
Antigone’s bold defiance	Her pride in her moral stance
Creon’s refusal to heed advice	His arrogance blinds him to reason
Haemon’s confrontation with Creon	Haemon’s pride leads to a fatal clash

Irony

Example	Explanation
Creon’s decree for peace	Leads to family destruction
Antigone’s death wish for honor	Results in her dishonorable death
Creon’s adherence to law	Ends in personal and political chaos

Foreshadowing

Example	Explanation
Tiresias’ prophecy	Predicts Creon’s downfall
Chorus’ warnings	Hints at impending tragedy
Antigone’s early declarations	Signal her unwavering path to doom

Symbolism

Example	Explanation
The tomb	Death and consequences
Burial rites	Respect for the dead, divine customs
The city of Thebes	Order and state authority

Catharsis

Example	Explanation
Antigone’s death	Evokes pity and fear
Creon’s realization	Audience feels empathy and relief
Haemon’s suicide	Amplifies the emotional impact

Chorus

Example	Explanation
Comments on Antigone’s actions	Provides moral and thematic insights

Conflict

Example	Explanation
Antigone vs. Creon	Clash of moral duty vs. state law
Haemon vs. Creon	Personal loyalty vs. civic duty
Divine law vs. human law	Central ideological conflict

Allusion

Example	Explanation
References to Greek gods	Deepen the context and stakes
Mythological allusions	Enhance the play’s themes and morals
Historical references	Provide cultural and temporal depth

Pathos

Example	Explanation
Antigone’s lament	Elicits sympathy for her plight
Haemon’s plea	Creates empathy for his love and loyalty
Creon’s despair	Engenders pity for his tragic realization

FAQs

Antigone – FAQs

Q: Why does Antigone defy Creon’s decree?
A: Antigone defies Creon’s decree because she believes in honoring her brother according to divine law and familial duty.

Q: What is Creon’s tragic flaw?
A: Creon’s tragic flaw is his hubris, or excessive pride, which leads him to make uncompromising decisions.

Q: How does the Chorus function in Antigone?
A: The Chorus comments on the action, provides background information, and reflects on the themes, guiding the audience’s emotional response.

Q: What role does Tiresias play in the story?
A: Tiresias is a blind prophet who warns Creon of the gods’ displeasure, foreshadowing the tragic outcomes.

Q: What is the significance of the burial rites in the play?
A: The burial rites symbolize respect for the dead and adherence to divine customs, central to the conflict between Antigone and Creon.

Quiz

Question	Options
1. Why does Antigone bury her brother Polynices?	a) To defy Creon, b) Out of love, c) Due to divine law, d) For revenge
2. What is Creon’s relationship to Antigone?	a) Father, b) Uncle, c) Brother, d) Cousin
3. Who tries to reason with Creon to spare Antigone?	a) Ismene, b) Tiresias, c) Haemon, d) Eurydice
4. What is Tiresias’ role in the play?	a) King, b) Warrior, c) Prophet, d) Servant
5. How does Antigone die?	a) Poison, b) Stoning, c) Hanging, d) Drowning

Exercise

Identify the literary devices in the following paragraph from Antigone:

“I will bury him; and if I must die, I say that this crime is holy: I shall lie down with him in death, and I shall be as dear to him as he to me.”

Answers:

Tragic Hero: Antigone’s determination to bury her brother even at the cost of her life.
Hubris: Antigone’s pride in her moral stance.
Irony: Antigone’s act of burial being labeled a crime, yet she considers it holy.