Editing Antigone (Sophocles play) (section)

===Characters===
* [[Antigone]], the oldest daughter of [[Oedipus]], the exiled king of Thebes and queen Jocasta. Antigone is a sister of [[Polynices]], [[Eteocles]] and [[Ismene]]. Compared with her docile sister, Antigone is portrayed as a heroine who recognizes her familial duty. Her dialogues with Ismene reveal her to be as stubborn as her uncle.<ref name="McDonald">{{citation | url = http://olli.ucsd.edu/documents/antigone.pdf | last = McDonald | first = Marianne | title = Sophocles' ''Antigone'' | publisher = Nick Hern Books | year = 2002 | access-date = 2014-12-14 | archive-date = 2016-03-04 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304213409/http://olli.ucsd.edu/documents/antigone.pdf | url-status = dead }}</ref> She defies Creon's decree despite the consequences she may face, in order to honor her deceased brother Polynices.
* [[Ismene]] serves as a foil for Antigone, presenting the contrast in their respective responses to the royal decree.<ref name="McDonald" /> She is more lawful and obedient to authority than her sister and hesitates to bury Polynices because she fears Creon.
* [[Creon of Thebes|Creon]] is the current King of Thebes, who views law as the guarantor of personal happiness. He can also be seen as a tragic hero, losing everything for upholding what he believes is right. Even when he is forced to amend his decree to please the gods, he first tends to the dead Polynices before releasing Antigone.<ref name="McDonald" />
* [[Eurydice of Thebes]] is the Queen of Thebes and Creon's wife. She appears towards the end and only to hear confirmation of her son Haemon's death. In her grief, she dies by suicide, cursing Creon, whom she blames for her son's death.
* [[Haemon]] is the son of Creon and Eurydice, betrothed to Antigone. Proved to be more reasonable than Creon, he attempts to reason with his father for the sake of Antigone. However, when Creon refuses to listen to him, Haemon leaves angrily and shouts he will never see him again. He dies by suicide after finding Antigone dead.
* [[Coryphaeus|Koryphaios]] is the assistant to the King (Creon) and the leader of the Chorus. He is often interpreted as a close advisor to the King, and therefore a close family friend. This role is highlighted in the end when Creon chooses to listen to Koryphaios' advice.
* [[Tiresias]] is the blind prophet whose prediction brings about the eventual proper burial of Polynices. Portrayed as wise and full of reason, Tiresias attempts to warn Creon of his foolishness and tells him the gods are angry. He manages to convince Creon, but is too late to save the impetuous Antigone.
* [[Greek chorus|The Chorus]], a group of elderly Theban men, is at first deferential to the king.<ref name="Bates">{{cite book | url = http://www.theatrehistory.com/ancient/bates017.html | editor-last = Bates | editor-first =  Alfred | title = The Drama: Its History, Literature and Influence on Civilization, Vol. 1 | location = London | publisher = Historical Publishing Company | year = 1906 | pages = 112–123}}</ref> Their purpose is to comment on the action in the play and add to the suspense and emotions, as well as connecting the story to myths. As the play progresses they counsel Creon to be more moderate. Their pleading persuades Creon to spare Ismene. They also advise Creon to take Tiresias's advice.