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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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.
