CLASSICS 2D03 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Polynices, Eteocles, Haemon
13 Jun 2018
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Antigone – WEEK #5
Sophocles – Antigone
Antigone: daughter of Oedipus, sister of Polynices
Ismene: daughter of Oedipus
Creon: King of Thebes, brother of Oedipus’ wife
Eurydice: wife of Creon
Haemon: son of Creon, husband of Antigone
Tiresias: blind prophet
Chorus: Theban elders
*Oedipus married his mother Jocasta (sister of Creon) and had his 4 children (Eteocles, Polynices,
Ismene, Antigone)*
• Follows on from the Theban Civil War in which the two brothers Eteocles and Polynices died
fighting each other for the throne of Thebes after Eteocles had refused to give up the crown to
his brother, as their father Oedipus had prescribed.
▪ After the bloody siege of Thebes by Polynices and his allies, the city stands unconquered.
Polynices and his brother Eteocles, however, are both dead, killed by each other, according
to the curse of Oedipus, their father
❖ Night has fallen in Thebes. The preceding days have borne witness to the armed struggle
between Eteocles and Polynices, sons of Oedipus and brothers to Antigone and Ismene. The
brothers, who were fighting for control of Thebes, have now died at each other’s hands.
Polynices invading army has retreated, and now Creon rules the city. Antigone approaches an
altar at the palace, bemoaning the death of her brothers. Ismene is close behind, echoing
Antigone’s sentiments.
➢ The Chorus recounts the events leading to Antigone’s tragedy. Oedipus, Antigone and Ismene’s
father, has two sons, Eteocles and Polynices. Upon Oedipus’ death, it was agreed each would
take the throne one year to the next. After the first year, however, Eteocles, the elder, refused
to step down. Polynices and six foreign princes marched on Thebes. All were defeated. The
brothers killed each other in a duel, making Creon king. Creon ordered Eteocles buried in honor
and left Polynices to rot on the pain of death.
• At the start of the play, Creon, the new ruler of Thebes, has declared that Eteocles is to be
honored and Polynices is to be disgraced by leaving his body unburied on the battlefield (a harsh
and shameful punishment at the time)
▪ Outside the city gates, Antigone tells Ismene that Creon has ordered Eteocles, who died
defending the city, to be buried with full honors. The body of Polynices, the invader, is left
to rot.
▪ Furthermore, Creon has declared that anyone attempting to bury Polynices shall be publicly
stoned to death
➢ It is dawn and the house is still asleep. Antigone sneaks in and the Nurse appears and asks
where she has been. Suddenly, Ismene enters, also asking where Antigone has been. Antigone
sends the Nurse away for coffee. Ismene declares that they cannot bury Polynices and that she
must understand Creon’s intentions. Antigone refuses and bids Ismene back to bed.
▪ Suddenly, Haemon enters and Antigone asks Haemon to hold her with all his strength. She
tells him that she will never be able to marry him. Shocked, Haemon departs. Ismene
returns, terrified that Antigone will attempt to bury Polynices despite the daylight. Antigone
reveals that she has already done so.
• Antigone vows to bury her brother Polynices’ body in defiance of Creon’s orders, although her
sister Ismene refuses to help her, fearing the death penalty
Document Summary
Creon: king of thebes, (cid:271)rother of oedipus" (cid:449)ife. *oedipus married his mother jocasta (sister of creon) and had his 4 children (eteocles, polynices, Polynices and his brother eteocles, however, are both dead, killed by each other, according to the curse of oedipus, their father. The preceding days have borne witness to the armed struggle between eteocles and polynices, sons of oedipus and brothers to antigone and ismene. The (cid:271)rothers, (cid:449)ho (cid:449)ere fighti(cid:374)g for (cid:272)o(cid:374)trol of the(cid:271)es, ha(cid:448)e (cid:374)o(cid:449) died at ea(cid:272)h other"s ha(cid:374)ds. Polynices invading army has retreated, and now creon rules the city. Antigone approaches an altar at the palace, bemoaning the death of her brothers. The chorus re(cid:272)ou(cid:374)ts the e(cid:448)e(cid:374)ts leadi(cid:374)g to a(cid:374)tigo(cid:374)e"s traged(cid:455). Oedipus, a(cid:374)tigo(cid:374)e a(cid:374)d is(cid:373)e(cid:374)e"s father, has t(cid:449)o so(cid:374)s, eteo(cid:272)les a(cid:374)d pol(cid:455)(cid:374)i(cid:272)es. Upo(cid:374) oedipus" death, it (cid:449)as agreed ea(cid:272)h (cid:449)ould take the throne one year to the next. After the first year, however, eteocles, the elder, refused to step down.
