Mind Map of Antigone (The Oedipus Plays)

Antigone
Overview
MOTIFS
Themes
Author
Antigone's two brothers are dead. One of them, Polyneices, has been labeled a traitor by his uncle, King Creon. Defying Creon's rule, Antigone displays her loyalty to the gods by burying Polyneices. Unable to forgive his niece, Creon shuts her in a cave, where she kills herself. In the confrontation that follows, Creon learns that obstinacy can lead to tragedy.
Divine Retribution
Razor's Edge
Illustrates agonizing choices
Unconsumed Sacrifice
Displays the rottenness of the city
Dirt
Ships
Represents devotion to one's family
Represent the steadiness of a peaceful state
Courage & Conviction
Although it leads to her death, Antigone's love for her brother prevails over her uncle's unjust decree.
Devotion vs. Duty
Antigone chooses loyalty to family and the gods; Ismene and Creon choose fear and allegiance to the state.
Flexibility vs. Stubbornness
Creon cannot overcome his rigidity soon enough to prevent tragedy.
A playwright and statesman, Sophocles wrote 123 plays and won some two dozen major dramatic competitions. Only seven of his tragedies still exist, including Antigone, Oedipus Rex, and Oedipus at Colonus. Sophocles was a well-loved public figure who took part in Athens's daily life as citizen and leader.
SOPHOCLES C. 496-406 BCE
Numbering
Mian Characters
Haemon
Son of Creon; engaged to Antigone
Ismene
Antigone's timid sister
Chorus
Elders who comment on the action of the play
Antigone
Oedipus's determined daughter
Teiresias
Old, blind prophet; adviser to leaders
Creon
Authoritative king of Thebes
468 BCE
Year sophocles won his first dramatic competition
~90
Age at which Sophocles led a chorus for Euripides's death
1979
Year Thebes became a World Heritage site
69