Genre
Tragedy
Language
Greek
Setting and Context
The Kingdom of Thebes after the deaths of Eurydikes and Polyneikes as they killed each other for the throne. Written around 441 B.C.
Narrator and Point of View
POV is that of Kreon and Antigonick
Tone and Mood
Serious, Dramatic, Tragic.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Protagonist is Antigonick. Antagonist is Kreon.
Major Conflict
Antigonick has attempted to bury her brother's body against Kreon's edict and now must face the King.
Climax
Antigonick hangs herself in the tomb and Haemon takes his life. Shortly after Kreon's wife, the Queen kills herself. Kreon returns to his duties as King.
Foreshadowing
Antigonick burying Polyneikes foreshadows her death as the edict by Kreon has already been issued.
Understatement
It is understated that Eurydike will die.
Allusions
Beyond presenting extended references to Antigone by Sophocles, the play is an allusion to how political edicts are put forth to serve the powerful not the people and they lead to death.
Imagery
The tomb where Antigonick and Haemon die represents the hardness of Kreon. He has become a stone tomb, impenetrable by morality.
Paradox
Antigonick is given the chance to live by Kreon, paradoxically she would rather die that obey his edict.
Parallelism
Eurydike killing herself parallels Haemon taking his life.
Personification
Polyneikes becomes the personification of the spiritual life that is neglected by Kreon in order to maintain reason in his kingdom.
Use of Dramatic Devices
Chorus is used as a voice of the audience and for the audience to help them understand the structure and style of the play as well as the backstory.
