ABSTRACT
Sophocles is one of the greatest among these old poets. He has written works for the theatre, dramas and comedies; only a few of his dramas have come down to us. In each one of these the principal character is a courageous and noble being who wrestles alone against an intolerably painful situation; he is bowed down by the weight of solitude, of humiliation, of poverty, of injustice; at times his courage is at the breaking point, but he holds on and never lets himself be corrupted by misfortune. The king loses patience and ends by carrying her off by force. He returns after sealing the cave where he has thrust her. But it is his turn now to suffer. A priest who can tell the future predicts the most terrible disasters for him if he does not deliver Antigone.
