ABSTRACT
Antigone is the sister of Polynices who has been killed in his attempt to reclaim the throne of Thebes from Creon his uncle. Against Creons orders Antigone goes to bury the slain Polynices and is caught in the act. After a scene of confrontation Creon condemns her to death in spite of the fact that her action was justified and that she is betrothed to his son Haemon. Antigone is the final play in Sophocles Theban cycle about King Oedipus. It focuses on the tragic events unfolding from the attempted rebellion against Thebes by Polynices, Oedipus son, who hoped to regain the kingship from Creon his uncle. The play is an impassioned debate about whether or not the interests of the state should prevail over family loyalties. The immediate action of the play focuses on Antigones struggle of conscience and her rebellion against Creons strict edict forbidding the lawful rites and burial of Polynices.
