# Antigone — Character guide

> Key figures in Antigone by Sophocles.

- [Creon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/antigone_se/characters/creon.md): The king of Thebes, rigid in his laws, who forbids the burial of Polyneices.
- [Antigone](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/antigone_se/characters/antigone.md): Defiant daughter of Oedipus, determined to bury her brother against Creon's decree.
- [Haemon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/antigone_se/characters/haemon.md): Creon's son and Antigone's betrothed, who pleads for mercy and reason.
- [Ismene](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/antigone_se/characters/ismene.md): Antigone's sister, cautious and loyal, who initially refuses to help bury Polyneices.
- [Teiresias](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/antigone_se/characters/teiresias.md): Blind prophet who warns Creon of divine punishment for his stubbornness.
- [Eurydice](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/antigone_se/characters/eurydice.md): Creon's wife, who appears briefly and meets a tragic end offstage.
- [Messenger](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/antigone_se/characters/messenger.md): A herald who reports offstage deaths and tragic events to the chorus.
- [Oedipus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/antigone_se/characters/oedipus.md): Antigone's deceased father, former king of Thebes, referenced as a tragic figure.
- [Zeus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/antigone_se/characters/zeus.md): King of the gods, invoked in prayers and choral odes for justice.
- [Ares](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/antigone_se/characters/ares.md): God of war, mentioned in choral odes and as a force in Thebes' history.
- [Fate](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/antigone_se/characters/fate.md): Personified force of destiny, referenced in choral commentary on human suffering.
- [Dryas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/antigone_se/characters/dryas.md): Mythological figure briefly mentioned in a choral ode as an example of divine punishment.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/antigone_se/characters