Arguably Sophocles’ most popular tragedy, Antigone is set in Thebes, shortly after the civil war that resulted in the mutual killing of the two brothers, Eteocles and Polynices. King Creon orders Eteocles’ honourable burial. At Creon’s behest, Polynices is to remain unburied, being an enemy of Thebes. The two men’s sister, Antigone, refuses to obey the order. After arguing with her sister, Ismene, who originally refuses to help her, Antigone decides to bury Polynices on her own. Subsequently, she is arrested and sentenced to death. Creon stubbornly insists on his decision and does not yield to the appeals of his son, the lovelorn Aemon. He finally relents and changes his mind after the clairvoyant Tiresias makes him see that this decision will seal his doom. Too late, though: Antigone has already committed suicide inside her tomb. Refusing to come to terms with her death, Aemon also takes his life, followed by his mother, Euridice, who hangs herself after learning of her son’s death. At the end of the play, Creon is left behind, a tragic figure, one of the most harrowing characters in the entire canon of ancient drama.

Director's note:
Eteocles fell in battle, defending his city. He is a hero.
Eteocles usurped the throne that was rightfully his brother’s.
Polynices died while fighting against his own homeland. He is a traitor.
Polynices claimed the throne that was rightfully his.
Who is right? Who is wrong?
Creon is responsible for the Polis. There is a blind spot in the Polis.
Creon faithfully does what is, by his own declaration, necessary for the restoration of peace and order.
Antigone is responsible for her family and the dead of the family.
Antigone violates the laws of the Polis, causing mayhem and disorder.
Who is right? Who is wrong?
Athens prohibits proper burial of the sacrilegious, the traitors, and the suicides.
From just lord and keeper of the law, Creon becomes an obsessive tyrant; his stance precipitates three suicides.
Antigone buries her brother, thus doing what is normally reserved for men.
Creon mourns his son’s dead body, thus doing what is normally reserved for women.
Which one of the two is the tragic character?