Literary Criticism Of Antigone

Antigone was written by Sophocles in around 442 BCE, but it was not his only piece of literature (Classical Literature, 2009). Before the writing of Antigone, Sophocles had also written Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, and Seven against Thebes (Classical literature, 2009). Therefore, the story is categorized as drama in the classical period. Antigone was written when the national issues were held dear and were of great concern in Greece. For example, there was a thrilling and brutal war between the Greeks and Samos. Sophocles, the author of the play, was appointed among the ten generals to lead and equip the Greece army in the war. Other contentious issues at that time include epiklerate (right of the females to succeed the lineage of the father), political propaganda, and the …show more content…
Nonetheless, the author of the play has focused on the themes of the play and forfeited to illustrate many of these issues.
The synopsis of the story begins after two brothers (Eteocles and Polynices) died while fighting each other over the throne of Thebes. According to King Creon, Polynices was to be punished for illegally assuming power over the Throne that rightfully belonged to Eteocles. Therefore, the King ordered for Polynices not to be buried; rather his body was to be left and rot in the battlefield. However, Antigone defied the order and buried her brother. As a result, Antigone was sentenced to be buried alive. Antigone’s husband (Haemon the son of King Creon) secretively convinced his father to withdraw the order. Haemon’s plea was not accepted hence he and his wife committed suicides. The death of Haemon was perceived as a punishment to Creon for dishonoring the gods and burying Antigone alive. Creon’s wife also committed suicide and cursed her husband. The consequences of Creon