Antigone: structure

Antigone: Structure

Overall Composition

  • Antigone follows a traditional Greek tragedy framework, consisting of a prologue, parodos, episodes or scenes, stasimon, and exodus.

  • It also follows the classic dramatic structure: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and denouement.

Components of Antigone

Prologue

  • The prologue of Antigone is a conversation between Antigone and Ismene, setting up the narrative and laying out the initial moral and political conflict.

Parodos

  • The parodos, the choral song sung by the Theban elders, provides insights into the state of Thebes and the war.

Episodes

  • The episodes or scenes depict the action of the narrative through conversations between two or more characters.

  • The first episode is the argument between Antigone and Creon.

  • In the final episode, the tragic outcomes of the main characters are revealed.

Stasimon

  • Stasima (plural of stasimon) are choral odes in between episodes. They help to provide commentary on the events.

Exodus

  • The exodus is the final scene, wherein the tragic consequences of the protagonists’ actions occur and overall themes are underlined.

Use of Dramatic Structure

  • Sophocles uses this traditional dramatic structure effectively to build tension, heighten the emotional impact, and highlight key themes and moral dilemmas.

  • Antigone’s structure emphasises the theme of tragic inevitability, with plot progression signifying the impending doom.

  • The chorus, serving as a kind of Greek ‘Everyman’, responds to and reflects on episodes, helping the audience understand and react to the developments in the play.

Interplay between Dialogue and Choral Commentary

  • Structural format in Antigone places dialogue in tension with choral commentary, providing alternative viewpoints and interpretations on the events.

  • These strategies create layers of meaning, allowing for a rich understanding of dynamics between the characters, the events, and the society.

Understanding the structure of Antigone allows for a richer interpretation of the play – it helps to analyse not only the dramatic tension and character development but also Sophocles’ commentary on political, ethical, and social dilemmas of his time.