Character guide

Creon

major

Also known as Teiresias Creon, Creon Elders, Creon Woman, Creon Living, Creon Strophe, Exit Creon

The king of Thebes, rigid in his laws, who forbids the burial of Polyneices.

Antigone

major

Also known as Antigone Ismene

Defiant daughter of Oedipus, determined to bury her brother against Creon's decree.

Haemon

supporting

Also known as Haemon Father, Messenger Haemon

Creon's son and Antigone's betrothed, who pleads for mercy and reason.

Ismene

supporting

Antigone's sister, cautious and loyal, who initially refuses to help bury Polyneices.

Teiresias

supporting

Also known as old Teiresias

Blind prophet who warns Creon of divine punishment for his stubbornness.

Eurydice

minor

Creon's wife, who appears briefly and meets a tragic end offstage.

Messenger

minor

Also known as Enter Messenger, Second Messenger

A herald who reports offstage deaths and tragic events to the chorus.

Oedipus

minor

Antigone's deceased father, former king of Thebes, referenced as a tragic figure.

Zeus

minor

King of the gods, invoked in prayers and choral odes for justice.

Ares

minor

Also known as great Ares

God of war, mentioned in choral odes and as a force in Thebes' history.

Fate

minor

Personified force of destiny, referenced in choral commentary on human suffering.

Dryas

minor

Mythological figure briefly mentioned in a choral ode as an example of divine punishment.