Summary of Antigone
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ScribdTranslationsSummary of Antigone
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ScribdTranslationsAntigona es una tragedia escrita por Sófocles que narra la historia deAntígona, la hija de Edipo.
Después de la muerte de su hermano Polinices, quien fue considerado un traidor, Creonte, el nuevo rey de Tebas, prohíbe su sepultura.Antígona desobedece esta orden y decide enterrar a su hermano, creyendo que es su deber familiar y divino.Apesar de ser capturada y condenada a muerte, ella mantiene su postura firme contra las leyes de Creonte. La obra explora temas de justicia, lealtad familiar y el conflicto entre las leyes humanas y las leyes divinas, culminando en una tragedia que afecta a toda la familia real.
Antigone and the myth of Oedipus
Oedipus marries his mother and has four children: Eteocles, Polyneices, Antigone, and Ismene.
Jocasta hangs herself and Oedipus blinds himself upon learning that he killed his father and married his mother.
with her mother.
After Oedipus's death, the curse continues in his family. Eteocles and Polynices decide to reign together.
both, one year each, but at the end of Etéocles' first year he did not want to leave the
throne, so Polynices leaves Thebes in search of foreign aid.
Creon, the brother of Jocasta and reigning king of Thebes, prohibits honors to be yielded.
funeral rites for Polynices, condemning him, according to the sacred law, to not have eternal rest
and that her shadow would roam. Antigone refuses this and is condemned by Creon to be
buried alive.
Prologue
Antigone talks to her sister Ismene about the evils from which their father, Oedipus,
it was a cause in the family. Moreover, it is said that Creon ordered that Eteocles be buried
just as the law and rights say, while the body of Polynices is
prohibited this.
That said, Antigone proposes to her sister to rebel against Creon by burying her.
brother as it should be.
It is mentioned that both brothers died fighting against themselves, giving each other.
death to one another.
Ismena was hesitant about the proposal saying that she feels weak, in addition to the fact that both
They were born women, so it was not possible for them to fight against men.
Chorus Duets
The situation between the two brothers is quickly recounted, as they fought and
common death was given. It is also said that it corresponds to respect the customs.
religious, so both brothers should be buried to avoid the danger.
It is announced that Creon has taken power, becoming the new king of Thebes.
Episode 1
Creon says that Eteocles will be given burial since he died fighting for his
land. While Polynices is blamed for treason, so it is forbidden for the city to
honor with burial and let someone mourn him.
A guard reveals to Creon that someone has gone to the dead, burying him.
trusting.
Episode 2
It is revealed that this was Antigone (who defends tradition) and Creon (who represents
the human laws) the search to confront it.
Antíona confesses to having done it and is willing to assume the consequences.
Creon says that she and her sister will have to go through the greatest sorrows.
Episode 3
Ismena initially refuses, but then she agrees to help Antigone and takes on the responsibility.
accomplice, to which Antíona says that justice will not allow it to be so nor in that
her sister consisted. Moreover, she says that anyone who only loves her in words is not her friend,
rejecting Ismene's help and deciding to act alone.
Creon decides that both women must be deprived of their freedom, burying alive in
a cave to Antiona.
Episode 4
Creon says that it is always better to fall before a manly hand, so that it is not said that
they were like women, weak. Furthermore, it speaks of the obedience of children so that the
the enemy does not return the offenses and the friend honors it. It says that there is nothing worse than the
anarchy.
Hemón, son of Creon and betrothed to Antigone, intervenes by saying that she only
He committed a beautiful action, for which he deserved a reward. Furthermore, it is said that the
the city is crying for her. She tells her father that what he is doing is not fair.
The chorus intervenes, warning Creon that his actions may have repercussions on his own.
family.
Episode 5
Antíona laments when reminded that she would bear the paternal guilt.
Creon says to take her to the cave as soon as possible, depriving her of living among the living and not.
of life as such.
Episode 6 (Chorus)
Tiresias urges him to give in to his position, since the city has already gone through
sufferings due to Creon. Moreover, he blames him for being reckless. He warns him that
Repent before you see someone from your blood among the dead.
Creon ignores and orders Antigone to be imprisoned.
Episode 7
A messenger informs Creon that Antigone decided to hang herself to escape the punishment.
that was imposed on him. In response to this, Hemón decides to take his own life with a sword. It is fulfilled the
prophecy of "one corpse embraces another corpse".
Eurydice, wife of Creon, chose to end her life.
Episode 8 (Lament)
Creon laments the tragedy that afflicts his family, acknowledging that he was wrong.
by defying religious customs, ignoring the advice of the elders.
Final song
The choir reflects on acting with caution and humility, saying that mortals
they cannot escape the evils decreed by fate. It is said that one should never be put
human laws over religious traditions.