Antigone Facts for Kids

Antigone is a famous play written by the ancient Greek writer Sophocles. It tells the story of a brave princess named Antigone, who is the daughter of Oedipus. The play is one of the most well-known Greek tragedies. It explores important ideas about family, law, and what is right.

What is the Play About?
Who Was Sophocles?
- Sophocles' Other Famous Plays
Why is Antigone Still Important?
Images for kids
See also

What is the Play About?

The story of Antigone takes place after a big war. Antigone's two brothers, Eteocles and Polynices, fought each other for control of the city of Thebes. Both brothers died in the battle.

The King's New Law

After the war, Antigone's uncle, Creon, became the new king of Thebes. King Creon decided that Eteocles would be buried with honors. But he made a strict law against burying Polynices. Creon saw Polynices as a traitor to the city. Anyone who tried to bury Polynices would be put to death.

Antigone's Choice

Antigone believed that her brother deserved a proper burial, no matter what. She felt it was her duty to her family and to the gods. She decided to defy King Creon's law. Her sister, Ismene, was too afraid to help. But Antigone bravely went alone to bury her brother.

Consequences of Disobedience

When King Creon found out that someone had buried Polynices, he was furious. He ordered Antigone's arrest. Even though Antigone was his niece and engaged to his son, Haemon, Creon refused to change his mind. He believed that the law must be followed strictly.

Important Lessons from the Play

The play Antigone makes people think about many big questions:

Laws vs. Morals: Should you always follow the law, even if you think it's wrong? Or should you follow your own conscience and what you believe is right?
Family vs. State: Which is more important: loyalty to your family or loyalty to your country and its rules?
Pride and Power: The play also shows how being too proud or stubborn can lead to sad outcomes.

Who Was Sophocles?

Sophocles was one of the most famous ancient Greek playwrights. He lived from about 496 BC to 406 BC. He wrote over 120 plays, but only seven of them have survived completely. His plays are still performed and studied around the world today.

Sophocles' Other Famous Plays

Besides Antigone, Sophocles wrote other well-known tragedies. These include:

Oedipus Rex (also known as Oedipus the King)
Oedipus at Colonus
Electra

His plays often explored the lives of heroes and kings. They showed how even powerful people faced difficult choices and the consequences of their actions.

Why is Antigone Still Important?

Antigone is still important today because its themes are timeless. People still debate about justice, law, and personal freedom. The play helps us think about our own responsibilities to our families, our communities, and our beliefs. It reminds us that standing up for what you believe in can be very powerful.

Images for kids

Antigone in Front of the Dead Polynices by Nikiforos Lytras, National Gallery, Athens, Greece (1865)
Oedipus and Antigone by Aleksander Kokular (1825–1828), National Museum, Warsaw
Oedipe et Antigone by Johann Peter Krafft, 1809
Oedipus and Antigon by Franz Dietrich
Oedipus and Antigone by C. W. Eckersberg (1812)
Oedipus and Antigone by Per Wickenberg (1833)
Edipo y Antigona by José Ribelles (circa 1800)
Oedipus and Antigone by Charles Jalabert (1842)
Oedipus and Antigon
Oedipus and Antigon by Antoni Brodowski (1828)
Antigone and Ismene
Antigone in front of the dead Polynices by Nikiforos Lytras (1865)
Antigone donnant la sépulture à Polynice by Sébastien Norblin (1825)