Antigone Character Analysis in Oedipus at Colonus

Oedipus's daughter and guide in his blind wanderings. Although she has not been banished from Thebes, she suffers the same hardships as her father out of her love for him. When her brother Polynices visits in a failed attempt to gain Oedipus's blessing, he asks Antigone to give him a proper burial if he should die in battle (these efforts are the subject of Sophocles's Antigone).

Antigone Quotes in Oedipus at Colonus

The Oedipus at Colonus quotes below are all either spoken by Antigone or refer to Antigone. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Oh Athens, praised above any land on earth,
now turn your glowing praises into action!

Related Characters: Antigone (speaker)

Page Number and Citation: 818-819

Explanation and Analysis:

It isn't good for men with a decent cause
to beg too long, or a man to receive help,
then fail to treat a fellow victim kindly.

Related Characters: Antigone (speaker), Oedipus

Page Number and Citation: 1366-1368

Explanation and Analysis:

Goodbye, dear ones.
You'll never look on me again, alive.

Related Characters: Polynices (speaker), Antigone, Ismene

Page Number and Citation: 1631-1632

Explanation and Analysis:

Antigone Character Timeline in Oedipus at Colonus

The timeline below shows where the character Antigone appears in Oedipus at Colonus. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...is now a sorry sight, blind and hobbled, dressed in rags, led by his daughter Antigone. (full context)

Oedipus tells Antigone that acceptance is the lesson taught by his suffering. He then asks Antigone to find... (full context)

...tell him he must step out of the grove of the Furies. He does, with Antigone's help, and sits on a rocky area just outside the grove. The chorus ask his... (full context)

Antigone appeals to the citizens' pity and humanity. Oedipus says they should not drive him out... (full context)

A rider approaches—it is Ismene, Oedipus's other daughter. Oedipus, Antigone, and Ismene have a heartfelt reunion, and then Ismene delivers her news: Oedipus's two sons... (full context)

Just then, Antigone gives an alarm that Creon is approaching. Creon enters and says he has come not... (full context)

...orders his guards to take Oedipus's two daughters away, toward Thebes. As the guards seize Antigone and Ismene, the chorus condemns this action but is unable to stop them. When Creon... (full context)

Theseus returns with his attendants, escorting Antigone and Ismene. Overjoyed and relieved to see his daughters, Oedipus thanks Theseus profusely and asks... (full context)

Oedipus doesn't want to see his son, but Antigone and Theseus argue that there's no harm in listening. Oedipus agrees to see Polynices, and... (full context)

Antigone says a man is approaching, alone, in tears. Polynices enters. He is miserable, and weeps... (full context)

...Polynices asks his sisters to give him a proper burial if Oedipus's curses come true. Antigone begs Polynices to call off the attack on Thebes. Polynices refuses—he has been humiliated by... (full context)

As the messenger stops speaking, Antigone and Ismene enter, chanting a funereal dirge. Answering questions from the chorus, Antigone confirms the... (full context)

...since to grieve too much after Oedipus received such a blessing might anger the gods. Antigone begs to see her father's tomb, but Theseus says he cannot allow it, citing his... (full context)