Antigone Character Analysis

Antigone

Daughter (and half-sister) of Oedipus, sister of Ismene, niece of Creon, and fiancée of Haemon. When her brother Polynices dies attacking Thebes, Antigone defies Creon's order that no citizen of Thebes can… read analysis of Antigone

Ismene

Sister of Antigone. Ismene pleads with Antigone not to defy the laws of the city and not to bring more misfortune to their ill-fated family. When Creon sentences Antigone to death, Ismene first tries… read analysis of Ismene

Creon

Brother-in-law of Oedipus, Creon becomes king of Thebes when Oedipus's two sons die while battling each other for control of the city. Creon believes in the rule of law and the authority of the state… read analysis of Creon

Tiresias

The blind prophet, or seer, who warns Creon not to execute Antigone and not to stick so rigidly to his decision to disallow the burial of Polynices. When Creon insults Tiresias, the seer prophesies that… read analysis of Tiresias

The Chorus

In Antigone, the chorus represents the elder citizens of Thebes. Sophocles's choruses react to the events of the play. The chorus speaks as one voice, or sometimes through the voice of its leader. It… read analysis of The Chorus

Minor Characters

Haemon

Son of Creon and fiancé of Antigone. Haemon tries to convince his father to be compassionate toward Antigone and to heed the will of the people of Thebes, who don't want to see her executed. He attacks his father and then kills himself when he finds Antigone dead.

Eurydice

Wife of Creon and mother of Haemon. She blames her husband for their son's suicide and kills herself, while cursing Creon's name.

A Sentry

The sentry brings Creon the news of Polynices's illegal burial and later catches Antigone in the act of performing funereal rites for Polynices's body.

A Messenger

The messenger gives an account of the suicides of Antigone, Haemon, and Eurydice.

Antigone Characters

Antigone

Ismene

Creon

Tiresias

The Chorus