71 pages • 2 hours read
SophoclesAntigone
Fiction | Play | Adult | BCEA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Antigone by Sophocles tells the story of Antigone, daughter of Oedipus, who defies King Kreon's edict prohibiting the burial of her brother Polyneikes. Determined to honor her brother, Antigone performs the burial rites despite the king’s decree. Kreon, discovering her disobedience, sentences her to death, leading to a tragic chain of events that include moral and familial conflicts. Themes include death, violence, and suicide.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Sophocles' Antigone is praised for its powerful exploration of fate, moral conflict, and the consequences of defiance. Critics commend the strong character development, particularly Antigone's steadfastness and Creon's tragic flaws. However, some find the prose dense and challenging. Overall, it remains a timeless and thought-provoking tragedy.
Who Should Read Antigone?
Readers who appreciate the themes of civil disobedience, familial loyalty, and tragic heroism will enjoy Sophocles’ Antigone. Fans of Shakespeare’s tragedies such as Hamlet or King Lear will find similar dramatic intensity and ethical dilemmas. Ideal for those intrigued by classical literature and moral conflicts.
RecommendedReading Age
16-18yearsLexile Level
NP