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TL;DR: After her brothers kill each other in a civil war, Antigone defies King Creon's order that the rebel Polynices must stay unburied. She buries him anyway and is sentenced to death. Creon refuses warnings until it is too late, and his stubbornness leads to the deaths of Antigone, his son and his wife.
Table of Contents
Antigone at a Glance
| Author | Sophocles |
| First published | c. 441 BC |
| Type | Greek tragedy (play) |
| Best for | readers who want a short, powerful tragedy about conscience versus law |
Antigone is a tragedy by the Greek playwright Sophocles, first performed around 441 BC. It is one of his three Theban plays about the family of Oedipus. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it.
Content note: Includes suicide.
Main Characters
- Antigone: A daughter of Oedipus who defies the king to bury her brother.
- Creon: The king of Thebes, who puts the law above everything.
- Ismene: Antigone's cautious sister.
- Haemon: Creon's son, who is engaged to Antigone.
- Tiresias: A blind prophet who warns Creon.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
The decree
Antigone's brothers, Eteocles and Polynices, have killed each other in a war over Thebes. Their uncle Creon, now king, orders that Eteocles be buried with honor but that Polynices, who attacked the city, be left unburied. Antigone tells her sister Ismene she will bury him anyway; Ismene refuses to help.
The burial
A guard reports that someone has covered Polynices's body with dust. Creon is furious. The guards uncover the body, and Antigone returns to perform the burial rites again. She is caught and brought before Creon.
The confrontation
Antigone tells Creon that an older, unwritten duty to the dead matters more than his law. Creon, angry that a woman defies him, sentences her to death. Ismene tries to share the blame, but Antigone refuses. Creon's son Haemon, engaged to Antigone, argues for mercy, but Creon will not listen.
Tiresias's warning
Antigone is sealed in a cave to die. The blind prophet Tiresias warns Creon that his stubbornness will bring disaster on his own family. Shaken, Creon finally changes his mind and hurries to bury Polynices and free Antigone.
The ending
Creon arrives too late. Antigone has hanged herself in the cave. Haemon, seeing her body, tries to attack his father and then kills himself. When Creon's wife Eurydice hears of her son's death, she also takes her own life. Creon is left broken, admitting his guilt.
5 Key Takeaways
- Individual conscience can conflict with the law.
- Stubborn pride destroys leaders and those around them.
- Family duty can demand great courage.
- Listening to others' advice matters.
- Tragedy often comes from acting too late.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- There are laws higher than a ruler's command.
- A leader who never listens will fall.
- Courage can mean standing alone.
Who Should Read Antigone?
Read Antigone if you want a short Greek tragedy that still feels urgent. It is widely taught and works well with discussion.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of Antigone:
- Was Antigone right to break the law?
- Is Creon a villain or a tragic figure?
- Why does Ismene choose differently from her sister?
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether Antigone is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full story, characters and style, which no short summary can replace.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of Antigone, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary between copies.
Should You Read the Book?
If the summary caught your interest, read the opening chapters before you decide. A summary tells you what happens, but the voice and pacing are what make a book work or not.
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What to Read Next
- Oedipus Rex by Sophocles: the earlier story of Antigone's father
- Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie: a modern retelling in Britain
- Medea by Euripides: another fierce Greek tragic heroine
Related: 15 Books Like Antigone You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Antigone about?
A woman defies the king to bury her brother and is sentenced to death.
Why won't Creon allow the burial?
He considers Polynices a traitor who attacked Thebes.
How does Antigone die?
She hangs herself in the cave where she is sealed.
Who else dies?
Haemon and Eurydice, Creon's son and wife.
Is Antigone part of a trilogy?
It is one of Sophocles's three Theban plays.
What is the main theme?
Conscience versus the law of the state.
How long is it?
It is short and can be read in one sitting.
Is there a modern version?
Yes. Jean Anouilh wrote a famous version in 1944.
Who are the main characters in Antigone?
The main characters are Antigone, Creon, Ismene, Haemon and Tiresias. Antigone: A daughter of Oedipus who defies the king to bury her brother. Creon: The king of Thebes, who puts the law above everything. Ismene: Antigone's cautious sister.
Is Antigone worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for readers who want a short, powerful tragedy about conscience versus law. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.