In Mahalla, Maraz Province, the tragedy 'Antigone' by Sophocles is being performed at the Artistic Forum venue. Director Rukhollah Sorush is leading the production, which will run until October 27th. The cast includes Nasim Ostadhashem, Ali Baratali, Parham Parvaresh, Parastu Rafati, Panisa Rezaei, Danial Sajjadinejad, Amirsaleh Soleimani, Mehdi Azimi, and Mahdis Firuzi.
According to Greek mythology, Antigone was a princess from Thebes and a character in several ancient Greek tragedies. She was the daughter of Oedipus, the king of Thebes.
Antigone appears in three tragic plays from the 5th century BCE written by Sophocles, known as the three Theban plays, and she is the main character in the play titled 'Antigone.'
Plot of the Tragedy
In her titular play, Antigone attempts to ensure a proper burial for her brother Polynices. Oedipus' sons, Eteocles and Polynices, jointly ruled until a dispute arose, after which Eteocles banished his brother. According to Sophocles' version, the brothers agreed to alternate rule each year, but Eteocles decided not to share power with his brother after his term ended. Polynices left the kingdom, gathered an army, and attacked the city of Thebes in the Seven Against Thebes War. Both brothers died in battle.
King Creon, who took the throne of Thebes after the brothers' deaths, issues a decree forbidding Polynices from burial or even remembrance, under threat of death by stoning. Antigone, Polynices' sister, disobeys the king's order and is arrested.
Antigone is brought before Creon, where she confesses to her crime and to knowing about the king's decree banning the burial or remembrance of Polynices, asserting the supremacy of divine law over human law. Her self-defense against Creon is depicted as passionate, brave, and resolute.
Creon orders Antigone to be buried alive in a tomb. Although Creon eventually changes his mind after a visit from the seer Tiresias and tries to free Antigone, he discovers that she has hanged herself. Creon's son, Haemon, who was married to Antigone, kills himself with a sword (after an unsuccessful attempt to kill Creon), and his mother, Queen Eurydice, also commits suicide in despair over the death of her sons (Haemon and Megareus), which she attributes to Creon's poor governance and judgment. Antigone's death leads to the ruin of her adversary's house, Creon's.