Antigone

Drama Classics: The World's Great Plays at a Great Little PriceThe first great 'resistance' drama - and perhaps the definitive Greek tragedy. Creon, the King of Thebes, has forbidden the burial of Antigone's brother because he was put to death as a traitor to the crown.

Despite being engaged to Creon's son Haemon, Antigone disobeys the King and buries her brother.

Enraged, Creon condemns Antigone to death and buries her alive in a cave.

The prophet Teiresias warns Creon against such rash actions, and eventually Creon relents – but when he goes to release Antigone it is too late: she has already hanged herself. This version of Sophocles' Antigone is translated and introduced by Marianne McDonald.