Characters Discussed
Eteocles
Eteocles (ee-TEE-oh-kleez), the son of Oedipus and grandson of Laius. Long ago, Laius, the king of Thebes, was warned by the oracle of Apollo that, should he beget a son, this act would bring ruin on his ancestral city. Laius disregarded the warning and became the father of Oedipus, thus bringing a curse upon his house. Oedipus, exposed by his parents on Mount Cithaeron, was rescued by a shepherd. Grown to manhood, Oedipus unknowingly slew his father and then solved the riddle of the Sphinx, thus rescuing Thebes from the monster. Made king of Thebes, he—again unknowingly—married Jocasta, his mother. Of this incestuous union were born four children. When Oedipus finally learned what he had done, he blinded himself, and Jocasta took her own life. It was agreed that Eteocles and Polynices, his sons, should rule Thebes in alternate years. They mistreated their blind father, who, dying, put on them the curse that they should die by each other’s hands. Eteocles refused to allow his brother his turn at ruling and drove him from Thebes, whereupon Polynices enlisted the aid of six warriors from Argos and, with himself at the head of their forces, besieged his native city. At the beginning of the play, Eteocles is informed by a scout that each Argive champion has been chosen by lot to attack one of the seven gates of Thebes. Having calmed the fears of the terrified Thebans, Eteocles sends a warrior to defend each of the gates, choosing to defend in his own person the gate that Polynices will attack. The chorus warns him of the mortal danger that he risks, but, driven almost insane by hatred of his brother, he takes his post. In the encounter, the brothers kill each other. The other Argive champions having been slain, Thebes is saved. The body of Eteocles is brought back to the city, and the senate declares honorable burial for it, because, although guilty of fratricide, Eteocles had saved his native city. The curse on the house of Laius is fulfilled.
Polynices
Polynices (pol-ih-NI-seez), the twin of Eteocles and son of Oedipus. Deprived by his brother of his rightful term as king of Thebes and exiled, he goes to Argos, where he raises an army against his own city. The gate of Thebes that he has been chosen to attack is revealed to Eteocles by a scout, and brother fights against brother. In the struggle, they kill each other, and Polynices fulfills his grim name, which means “much strife.” His body is brought into Thebes with that of Eteocles. The senate decrees that because he fought against his own city, he cannot have honorable burial and that his body must be thrown to the dogs. His sister Antigone defies the decree of the senate and declares that she will give her brother a burial befitting his rank.
Antigone
Antigone (an-TIHG-uh-nee), the daughter of Oedipus and sister of Eteocles and Polynices. After the brothers kill each other at the gate of Thebes and Polynices is denied burial by decree of the Theban senate, she defiantly announces that she will bury him herself with rites befitting a king of Thebes.
Ismene
Ismene (ihs-MEE-nee), the sister of Eteocles, Polynices, and Antigone. She has a silent part in the tragedy.
Characters
Antigone
Antigone is the sister of Eteocles and Polyneices. She makes a brief appearance at the play's end to lament her brothers' deaths. Upon discovering that Polyneices will not receive a proper burial, she resolves to defy the state and adhere to her own moral convictions. Courageously, she argues with the Herald...
(This entire section contains 528 words.)
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and vows to resist the council's decree. At the play's conclusion, Antigone departs with Polyneices' body, determined to bury him.
Chorus
The chorus of Theban maidens sings parts of the play, aiming to clarify events or actions that have happened previously and to offer
Aeschylus
commentary on the unfolding events. As the play begins, the Chorus learns about the upcoming battle and the attempt to seize the city. They are fearful that Eteocles might lose and the city could be captured. Terrified of becoming slaves, the Chorus is vocally expressive in their lamentations. Eventually, Eteocles manages to calm them, but only after considerable effort and threats. When informed of Eteocles' plan to defend the seventh gate against his brother Polyneices, the Chorus cautions Eteocles against fraternal bloodshed. They also express concern about the brothers having no family to conduct their burials. The Chorus serves to inform or remind the audience of Oedipus's curse and shares in the sisters' mourning over the brothers' deaths.
Eteocles
Eteocles, the ruler of Thebes, is one of Oedipus's surviving sons. As the play begins, he is gearing up for battle. Eteocles is frustrated by the fears and anxieties shown by the Chorus. He responds with threats to execute them if they cannot control their apprehensions. Upon learning that his brother will lead the assault at the seventh gate, Eteocles decides to personally lead the defense there. He disregards the Chorus's warnings, asserting that fate will determine the outcome. Eteocles is obstinate, refusing to heed the Chorus's concerns, dismissing them as the hysterics of women, whom he considers of little consequence. When Eteocles is killed, the council honors his courage with a dignified burial.
Herald
The Herald appears at the play's conclusion to announce the council's decision regarding the funerals of Polyneices and Eteocles. When Antigone declares her intention to bury her brother despite the council's ruling, the Herald argues with her. He leaves to inform the council of Antigone's intentions after realizing she will defy their edict.
Ismene
Ismene, another sister of Eteocles and Polyneices, appears at the play's end to grieve her brothers' deaths. She lacks Antigone's strength and resolve and is less inclined to defy the council's order.
Polyneices
Polyneices is the second son of Oedipus. Although he does not have any lines in the play and only appears at the end as a corpse, his role in leading the assault on the seventh gate is a major factor in the ensuing fatalities.
Scout
The Scout, also referred to as the Spy, has successfully infiltrated the enemy's camp. He is responsible for informing Eteocles about the upcoming battle. His report that Polyneices will lead the attack on the seventh gate prompts Eteocles to personally defend it. Without this specific intelligence, Eteocles might have chosen a different warrior for the defense of the seventh gate.
Spy
Refer to The Scout