# Antigone — Antigone character guide

> Antigone in Antigone by Sophocles.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Antigone Ismene

**First appearance:** 0001-antigone

## Who they are

Oedipus's daughter, who would rather die a 'sinless sinner' than let her brother Polyneices lie unburied and unmourned.

## Relationships

### [Creon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antigone_se/characters/creon)

_rivalry_

Antigone defies Creon's law to bury her brother, making them direct antagonists in a conflict of state versus family loyalty.

### [Oedipus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antigone_se/characters/oedipus)

_family_

Antigone is Oedipus's daughter, and she remains fiercely loyal to him even after his downfall.

### [Haemon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antigone_se/characters/haemon)

_romantic_

Antigone and Haemon are betrothed, sharing a deep love that ultimately leads to their tragic deaths.

### [Ares](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antigone_se/characters/ares)

_psychological_

Antigone is indirectly connected to Ares through the curse on her family, symbolizing the violent fate that haunts her lineage.

### [Ismene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antigone_se/characters/ismene)

_family_

Antigone and Ismene are sisters, but their relationship is strained by Ismene's refusal to help bury their brother.

### [Zeus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antigone_se/characters/zeus)

_psychological_

Antigone invokes Zeus as a witness to her righteous defiance, believing her cause aligns with divine law.

### [Messenger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antigone_se/characters/messenger)

_social_

The Messenger reports Antigone's death to Creon, making their interaction brief and purely informational.

### [Ares](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antigone_se/characters/ares)

_psychological_

Antigone is indirectly connected to Ares through the curse on her family, symbolizing the violent fate that haunts her lineage.

### [Ismene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antigone_se/characters/ismene)

_family_

Antigone and Ismene are sisters, but their relationship is strained by Ismene's refusal to help bury their brother.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antigone_se/characters/antigone
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antigone_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antigone_se/characters