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Antigone

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( 172,144 ratings, 7,958 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Antigone by Sophocles is a classic Greek tragedy that centres on the conflict between Antigone and Creon, the ruler of Thebes. Antigone defies Creon's decree by choosing to bury her brother Polynices, leading to a powerful exploration of themes such as loyalty, civil disobedience, and the clash between individual ethics and state laws. The play delves into the consequences of pride and the complex nature of justice and duty.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This classic Greek tragedy might intrigue you if you appreciate timeless tales of moral conflict and courage. It explores themes of individual versus state, divine law versus human law, and showcases powerful character dynamics that foster deep reflection and discussion.

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Antigone, defying her uncle Creon's decree that her brother should remain unburied, challenges the morality of man's law overruling the laws of the gods. The clash between her and Creon with its tragic consequences have inspired continual reinterpretation. This translation was made for a BBC TV production of the "Theban Plays" in 1986.

A set text for AQA GCE DramaA Student Edition with a full commentary, plot synopsis, review of the play in performance, chronology, notes on individual words and phrases and questions for further studyPresented in Don Taylor's acclaimed translation that has a timeless appeal and was made for a BBC TV production of the Theban Plays in 1986Sophocles' play, written in the fifth century BC, remains a timeless work of theatre that has been reinterpreted and adapted throughout the world

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The gods never move faster than when punishing men with the consequences of their own actions.

Desperate to gain control over a city ravaged by civil war, Creon refuses to bury the body of Antigone's rebellious brother. Outraged, she defies his edict. Creon condemns the young woman, his niece, to be buried alive. The people dare not object, but the prophet Teiresias warns that this tyranny will anger the gods: the rotting corpse is polluting the city. Creon hesitates, and his fate is sealed.

Sophocles' great tragic play, Antigone, dramatises the clash between the family and the city and, with high poetry and deep tragedy, presents an irreconcilable but equally balanced conflict. The Sophoclean heroine, Antigone, has become a cultural archetype, the symbol of personal integrity and an icon of political freedom, whilst her coprotagonist, Creon, can be interpreted as either a civic saviour or a ruthless tyrant.

This translation by Don Taylor, accurate yet poetic, was made for a BBC TV production of the Theban Plays in 1986, which he directed.

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Antigone by Sophocles is widely acclaimed for its powerful themes of civil disobedience and loyalty to family versus state. Reviewers often praise its timeless relevance, intense moral and ethical dilemmas, and the strong, complex character of Antigone herself. The play's exploration of human conflict and tragedy continues to resonate with contemporary audiences, reflecting its enduring impact in literature and education.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780413776044

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 04 May 2006

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Methuen Drama

Contributors:

  • Translated by Don Taylor
  • Edited by Dr Angie Varakis

Audience: Tertiary education

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 8.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 144g

Pages: 128

About the Author

Don Taylor (1936-2003) was a playwright and poet, and a director of theatre, television and radio plays. He worked as drama director at the BBC, and between 1960 and 1990, he directed nearly a hundred television plays. He translated and directed for BBC Television the Theban plays of Sophocles – Oedipus the King, Antigone and Oedipus at Colonus. He followed this with translations of three Euripides war plays – Iphigenia at Aulis, The Women of Troy and Helen. He was co-director of Compass Theatre for while and set up First Writes Radio with Ellen Dryden. Don Taylor’s many stage plays include The Roses of Eyam, The Exorcism, Daughters of Venice, Brotherhood, When the Actors Come, Retreat from Moscow, When the Barbarians Came and his last play The Road to the Sea. Sophocles (496-406 BC) was one of the three great tragic playwrights of ancient Greece; he wrote 123 plays during a career of 60 years and was still writing at the age of 90. Only seven tragedies survive, of which the most famous is Oedipus Rex.

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