71 pages 2 hours read

Sophocles

Antigone

Fiction | Play | Adult | BCE

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Antigone by Sophocles tells the story of Antigone, daughter of Oedipus, who defies King Kreon's edict prohibiting the burial of her brother Polyneikes. Determined to honor her brother, Antigone performs the burial rites despite the king’s decree. Kreon, discovering her disobedience, sentences her to death, leading to a tragic chain of events that include moral and familial conflicts. Themes include death, violence, and suicide.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Sophocles' Antigone is praised for its powerful exploration of fate, moral conflict, and the consequences of defiance. Critics commend the strong character development, particularly Antigone's steadfastness and Creon's tragic flaws. However, some find the prose dense and challenging. Overall, it remains a timeless and thought-provoking tragedy.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Antigone?

Readers who appreciate the themes of civil disobedience, familial loyalty, and tragic heroism will enjoy Sophocles’ Antigone. Fans of Shakespeare’s tragedies such as Hamlet or King Lear will find similar dramatic intensity and ethical dilemmas. Ideal for those intrigued by classical literature and moral conflicts.

Recommended

Reading Age

16-18years

Lexile Level

NP

Book Details

Genre

Classic Fiction

Mythology

Play: Drama

Period

Ancient Greece

Themes

Values/Ideas: Fate