# Antigone — Oedipus at Colonus character guide

> Antigone in Oedipus at Colonus by Sophocles.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Antigone Fathers, sweet Antigone

**First appearance:** 0002-oedipus-at-colonus

## Snapshot

Oedipus's devoted daughter, her father's eyes and staff, who reads the landscape for him and never once flinches from his side.

## Who they are

Antigone has chosen exile over comfort, guiding her blind father through strange country while her sister Ismene remains in Thebes. She is practical where he is prophetic — she identifies Athens, spots the sacred grove, and asks the questions he cannot. Her tenderness toward Oedipus is the play's emotional anchor, and when Creon's men seize her, the loss of her steady presence becomes the sharpest proof of how much her father depends on her.

## Relationships

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

_family_

Antigone is Oedipus's devoted daughter and guide, caring for him in his blindness and exile with unwavering loyalty.

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

_rivalry_

Antigone opposes Creon's attempts to forcibly take Oedipus back to Thebes, defending her father's will.

### [Theseus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/characters/theseus)

_friendship_

Antigone and Theseus share mutual respect and cooperation, with Theseus aiding her in protecting Oedipus.

### [Stranger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/characters/stranger)

_social_

Antigone speaks with the Stranger to gather information about the location and its customs.

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

_social_

Antigone receives news from the Messenger about her father's mysterious and blessed death.

### [Polyneices](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/characters/polyneices)

_family_

Antigone pleads with her brother Polyneices to reconcile with Oedipus, but fails to soften her father's curse.

### [Aegeus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/characters/aegeus)

_friendship_

Aegeus is remembered as a kind host to Antigone and Oedipus during their exile.

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

_family_

Antigone is Oedipus's devoted daughter and guide, caring for him in his blindness and exile with unwavering loyalty.

### [Theseus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/characters/theseus)

_friendship_

Antigone and Theseus share mutual respect and cooperation, with Theseus aiding her in protecting Oedipus.

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

_social_

Antigone receives news from the Messenger about her father's mysterious and blessed death.

### [Stranger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/characters/stranger)

_social_

Antigone speaks with the Stranger to gather information about the location and its customs.

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

_rivalry_

Antigone opposes Creon's attempts to forcibly take Oedipus back to Thebes, defending her father's will.

## In the story

### [Dramatis Personae](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/chapters/dramatis-personae)

Daughter of Oedipus, devoted companion.

## Links

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