Confront the timeless clash between divine law and human authority in Sophocles’ ‘Antigone’, and read the complete play online for free.
Written in or before 441 BCE, Antigone is the final play in Sophocles’ Theban trilogy (following Oedipus Rex and Oedipus at Colonus) and stands as one of the supreme masterpieces of world drama. The play centers on a conflict of unbearable intensity: following a civil war in Thebes, the new king, Creon, has decreed that the body of Polyneices—his nephew who led the attacking army—must remain unburied, left as carrion for dogs and birds, as punishment for treason. Anyone who attempts to bury him will be put to death. Antigone, Polyneices’ sister, confronts this edict not as a political challenge, but as a sacred, familial, and moral duty. The unwritten, eternal laws of the gods (nomoi), she declares, demand that she honor her brother with proper rites.
What unfolds is a devastating tragedy of stubborn wills. Antigone’s unwavering commitment to her duty brings her into fatal collision with Creon, whose commitment to the stability of the state and the supremacy of man-made law (polis) is equally rigid. The drama explores the catastrophic consequences when personal conscience, religious piety, and familial love are pitted against political authority, civic order, and masculine pride. With its profound exploration of justice, loyalty, gender, and the limits of power, Antigone has resonated for over two millennia, inspiring countless adaptations and remaining a foundational text for philosophy, political theory, and theater.
On this page, you can experience this pillar of Western literature. We offer the complete play in a classic English translation for online reading.
Book Info
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Antigone (Ἀντιγόνη) |
| Author | Sophocles |
| Year of Publication | c. 441 BCE |
| Genre | Greek Tragedy, Drama, Classical Literature |
| Language | English (Translation from Ancient Greek) |
| Legal Status | Public Domain |
| Format | Online Reading |
[Read Antigone Online]
Witness the defiance that shook Thebes. Begin this eternal drama by exploring the first episodes interactively below.
This preview introduces Antigone’s resolve and Creon’s decree, but the full, tragic sequence of confrontation, condemnation, and irreversible ruin is available in the complete text for our subscribers.
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About Antigone
The play’s enduring power lies in its refusal to offer easy answers. Both protagonists are, in their own frameworks, right, and their tragic flaw (hamartia) is the very quality of their conviction.
The Character of Antigone: Uncompromising Piety
Antigone is one of literature’s first and greatest icons of civil disobedience. Her motivation is not political rebellion but religious and familial obligation. She acts out of love (philia) for her brother and duty to the gods. Her famous declaration, “I was born to join in love, not hate,” is often misunderstood; her “love” is a specific, duty-bound loyalty to her familial dead. Her strength is superhuman, isolating, and ultimately self-destructive, making her a figure of both awe and pity.
The Character of Creon: The Rational Ruler
Creon is not a simple tyrant. At first, his arguments are politically sound: a city cannot honor a traitor, and authority must be obeyed to prevent anarchy. His flaw is hubris—not mere pride, but the overreach of human authority into divine realms. He confuses the good of the state with his own will, declaring, “The city is the king’s!” His tragedy is one of gradual, terrible enlightenment as he realizes his error too late.
The Chorus: Voice of Theban Society
The chorus of Theban elders represents conventional wisdom and public opinion. They are cautious, advising moderation, but ultimately subordinate to Creon. Their famous “Ode to Man” celebrates human achievement but also hints at the danger when mankind oversteps its bounds—a direct commentary on Creon’s actions. They witness the disaster but are powerless to prevent it.
The Conflict: Nomos vs. Polis
This is the philosophical heart of the play. Nomos refers to the unwritten, eternal laws of the gods (justice, piety, burial rites). Polis refers to the man-made laws of the city-state. Sophocles dramatizes the crisis that occurs when polis directly violates nomos. The play asks: To whom is our ultimate loyalty owed?
The Role of Gender
Antigone’s defiance is profoundly shocking to Creon partly because she is a woman. He fears being “beaten by a woman.” The play explores the tension between the male-dominated public sphere (polis) and the traditional, familial—often female—sphere of religious and burial rites. Antigone’s actions challenge the gendered order of her society.
The Messenger’s Speech and Pathos
Greek tragedy often delivers the worst violence offstage, reported by a messenger. The description of Antigone’s hanging, Haemon’s suicide, and Eurydice’s death are masterpieces of concentrated pathos (suffering), forcing the audience to imagine the horror and focus on its emotional and moral impact.
The Tragic Structure
The play follows Aristotle’s ideal tragic structure with precision: the prologue (setup), parados (chorus entry), episodes (scenes) and stasima (choral odes) that raise the tension, the peripeteia (reversal) when Teiresias delivers his prophecy, the anagnorisis (recognition) when Creon finally understands his error, and the final exodus (catastrophe) leading to catharsis.
Why Read Antigone Today?
Its themes are perpetually urgent. It speaks directly to moments of political protest, state overreach, clashes between religious conscience and secular law, and the ethics of dissent. It is a foundational text for understanding justice, responsibility, and the price of principle. Every generation finds its own Antigone and its own Creon.
FAQ
Who is right, Antigone or Creon?
The genius of the play is that it forces this question without providing a definitive answer. Traditionally, Antigone is seen as the moral heroine. However, Creon’s concerns for civic order are valid. The tragedy arises from the irreconcilability of their positions and their refusal to yield. The gods, through Teiresias, ultimately side with Antigone’s law.
What is the role of Ismene?
Antigone’s sister, Ismene, serves as a foil. She represents the voice of conventional female obedience and pragmatic fear. Her initial refusal highlights Antigone’s extraordinary courage, and her later desire to share the blame adds complexity, showing the cost of Antigone’s isolation.
Why is burial so important in Greek culture?
For the ancient Greeks, proper burial rites were essential for the soul’s journey to the Underworld. An unburied corpse was condemned to wander restlessly, bringing pollution (miasma) upon the land and the family. Denying burial was therefore not just an insult but a spiritual atrocity.
How does it connect to the Oedipus story?
Antigone is the daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta. The familial curse and history of pollution from patricide and incest hang over her. Her actions can be seen as an attempt to bring a shred of honor and ritual order to a family drowning in shame and disaster.
Can I read it on my phone?
Yes. The dramatic format and powerful, concise dialogue make it a gripping and fast-paced read on any device.