Oedipus Rex, Sophocles's play written c. 430 B.C., years after Antigone, concerns the downfall of Oedipus, Antigone's father. As king of Thebes, Oedipus must remove the plague from the city of Thebes by solving the murder of Laius, who was king before Oedipus. In doing so he discovers that he has murdered his own father, married his own mother, and he brought the plague on the city.
French playwright Jean Anouilh's Antigone presents a modern version of Sophocles's play, one in which the chorus is represented by a single commentator. The play was applauded by both French resistance fighters and German Nazis during World War II.
Alcestis, Euripides's play first produced in 438 B.C. presents a contrast to Antigone in terms of both substance and style. When considered next.....
This is a free excerpt of 128 words. This section contains 254 words. This
study guide contains 19,057 words (approx. 64 pages at 300
words per page).
Read the rest of this Literature Guide with our Antigone Access Pass.
