Antigone (Plumptre Translation)

Description

There has been much written about Antigone – a fascinating tragedy believed to have been written by Sophocles (497 BC – 406 BC) around the year 441 BC. The famous Ancient Greek tragedian had written the play at a time of conflict when Greek imperialism reigned, and one would expect numerous allusions to Athens that would seek to support an imperialist agenda. Nevertheless, Sophocles is undeterred by the issues of the time, and manages to write a vivid examples of what happens when an absolute ruler comes to power, describing the dangers of an unwavering tyrant – portrayed in the play by king Creon.

The action of the play has as its premise the death of two brothers, sons of king Creon, who has decreed one of them a traitor, and instructed that he should be treated as one even in death. As such, while the “good” brother, Eteocles, was honored, his sibling, Polyneices, would have his body left on the battlefield to be feasted on by vultures and ravens. This was considered one of the harshest and most dishonorable punishments of the time, and Polyneices’ sisters, Antigone and Ismene, planned to undermine their father’s decision.

What ensues is a tragedy bearing the distinct characteristics of a Sophocles play. Fueled by deceit, rage and political intrigue, it expresses a very mature set of lessons about values such as honor, love and devotion, and what happens when they are cast aside by a man consumed by his own vindictive and controlling nature.

Sophocles was one of the most successful and undoubtedly among the most skilled tragedians of his time. An accomplished playwright who had written more than 120 plays and was widely celebrated when taking part in dramatic competitions, Sophocles still enchants us with his outstanding skills even more than two thousand years after his time with this third and last of his Theban plays.
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