Antigone is a tragedy by Sophocles that explores themes of loyalty, justice, and the consequences of pride. Here are the most significant quotes from the play, showcasing its enduring wisdom and relevance.
Antigone Quotes and Their Significance
- “I was born to join in love, not hate – that is my nature.”
- Origin of Quote: Sophocles, Antigone
- Top Quotes: Highlights Antigone’s inherent compassion and opposition to hatred.
- Background of Quote: Antigone defends her actions to Creon, emphasizing her belief in love over hate.
- Detail of the Person Mentioned in the Quote: Antigone, the protagonist of the play, who values familial love over obedience to the state.
- “We have only a little time to please the living. But all eternity to love the dead.”
- Origin of Quote: Sophocles, Antigone
- Top Quotes: Reflects the transient nature of life and the enduring nature of love.
- Background of Quote: Antigone speaks about the importance of honoring the dead, which drives her actions.
- Detail of the Person Mentioned in the Quote: Antigone, who chooses to bury her brother against the king’s orders.
- “I didn’t say yes. I can say no to anything I say vile, and I don’t have to count the cost.”
- Origin of Quote: Sophocles, Antigone
- Top Quotes: Asserts Antigone’s defiance and moral independence.
- Background of Quote: Antigone explains her stance against Creon’s decree.
- Detail of the Person Mentioned in the Quote: Antigone, emphasizing her moral conviction and courage.
- “I have no love for a friend who loves in words alone.”
- Origin of Quote: Sophocles, Antigone
- Top Quotes: Critiques superficial expressions of friendship.
- Background of Quote: Antigone values actions over empty words.
- Detail of the Person Mentioned in the Quote: Antigone, who believes in genuine, action-based loyalty.
- “And even if I die in the act, that death will be a glory. I will lie with the one I love and loved by him.”
- Origin of Quote: Sophocles, Antigone
- Top Quotes: Expresses Antigone’s acceptance of death for a noble cause.
- Background of Quote: Antigone speaks of her readiness to die for her brother.
- Detail of the Person Mentioned in the Quote: Antigone, who sees her actions as a fulfillment of her duty to family and gods.
- “It is the dead, not the living, who make the longest demands.”
- Origin of Quote: Sophocles, Antigone
- Top Quotes: Highlights the enduring obligations to the deceased.
- Background of Quote: Antigone discusses the unending duty to honor the dead.
- Detail of the Person Mentioned in the Quote: Antigone, whose actions are driven by her loyalty to her deceased brother.
- “By open words a scheme of villainy is soon bewrayed.”
- Origin of Quote: Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus
- Top Quotes: Suggests that honesty quickly exposes evil plans.
- Background of Quote: Reflects the theme of honesty versus deceit in the play.
- Detail of the Person Mentioned in the Quote: Antigone, who values truth and transparency.
- “Ah, woe is me! Where shall I fly, where find Succor from gods or men?”
- Origin of Quote: Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus
- Top Quotes: Expresses a deep sense of despair and helplessness.
- Background of Quote: Antigone laments her dire situation.
- Detail of the Person Mentioned in the Quote: Antigone, reflecting on her isolation and the challenges she faces.
- “Say I am mad and give my madness rein to wreck itself; the worst that can befall is but to die an honorable death.”
- Origin of Quote: Sophocles, Antigone
- Top Quotes: Emphasizes the nobility in dying for one’s beliefs.
- Background of Quote: Antigone defends her actions as honorable, even if perceived as madness.
- Detail of the Person Mentioned in the Quote: Antigone, accepting the consequences of her defiance.
- “No man shall say that I betrayed a brother.”
- Origin of Quote: Sophocles, Antigone
- Top Quotes: Reflects Antigone’s steadfast loyalty to her family.
- Background of Quote: Antigone’s commitment to family honor.
- Detail of the Person Mentioned in the Quote: Antigone, who prioritizes family loyalty above all else.
- “To reverence kith and kin can bring no shame.”
- Origin of Quote: Sophocles, Antigone
- Top Quotes: Highlights the importance of family reverence.
- Background of Quote: Antigone argues that honoring family is never disgraceful.
- Detail of the Person Mentioned in the Quote: Antigone, defending her actions to honor her brother.
- “Yea, for these laws were not ordained of Zeus, And she who sits enthroned with gods below, Justice, enacted not these human laws.”
- Origin of Quote: Sophocles, Antigone
- Top Quotes: Contrasts divine laws with human laws.
- Background of Quote: Antigone argues that her actions align with divine justice, not human decrees.
- Detail of the Person Mentioned in the Quote: Antigone, upholding divine laws over Creon’s edicts.
- “For death is gain to him whose life, like mine, is full of misery.”
- Origin of Quote: Sophocles, Antigone
- Top Quotes: Reflects the tragic view of life and death.
- Background of Quote: Antigone sees death as a release from her suffering.
- Detail of the Person Mentioned in the Quote: Antigone, who views death as preferable to a life of misery.
- “No youths have sung the marriage song for me, My bridal bed no maids have strewn with flowers from the lea, ‘Tis Death I wed.”
- Origin of Quote: Sophocles, Antigone
- Top Quotes: Depicts Antigone’s tragic acceptance of her fate.
- Background of Quote: Antigone laments her lost opportunities for a normal life.
- Detail of the Person Mentioned in the Quote: Antigone, who resigns herself to a premature death.
- “All men make mistakes, but a good man yields when he knows his course is wrong, and repairs the evil. The only crime is pride.”
- Origin of Quote: Sophocles, Antigone
- Top Quotes: Critiques the dangers of pride and stubbornness.
- Background of Quote: Reflects the play’s theme of humility and self-awareness.
- Detail of the Person Mentioned in the Quote: Creon, who eventually recognizes his tragic flaws.
- “Go then if you must, but remember, no matter how foolish your deeds, those who love you will love you still.”
- Origin of Quote: Sophocles, Antigone
- Top Quotes: Highlights unconditional love.
- Background of Quote: Reflects the loyalty of Antigone’s loved ones.
- Detail of the Person Mentioned in the Quote: Ismene, expressing her love for Antigone despite her actions.
- “A man, though wise, should never be ashamed of learning more, and must unbend his mind.”
- Origin of Quote: Sophocles, Antigone
- Top Quotes: Emphasizes the value of continuous learning.
- Background of Quote: Reflects the play’s advocacy for wisdom and humility.
- Detail of the Person Mentioned in the Quote: Haemon, urging his father to be open-minded.
- “There’s nothing in the world so demoralizing as money.”
- Origin of Quote: Sophocles, Antigone
- Top Quotes: Critiques the corrupting power of money.
- Background of Quote: Reflects on the moral decay caused by greed.
- Detail of the Person Mentioned in the Quote: Creon, lamenting the impact of bribery and corruption.
- “Tomorrow is tomorrow. Future cares have future cures, And we must mind today.”
- Origin of Quote: Sophocles, Antigone
- Top Quotes: Advocates for living in the present.
- Background of Quote: Reflects the importance of focusing on the present moment.
- Detail of the Person Mentioned in the Quote: N/A
- “Grief teaches the steadiest minds to waver.”
- Origin of Quote: Sophocles, Antigone
- Top Quotes: Acknowledges the profound impact of grief.
- Background of Quote: Highlights the destabilizing effect of sorrow.
- Detail of the Person Mentioned in the Quote: N/A
Details for Quotes
| Quote Name | Origin of Quote | Top Quotes | Background of Quote | Detail of the Person Mentioned in the Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| “I was born to join in love, not hate – that is my nature.” | Sophocles, Antigone | Highlights Antigone’s inherent compassion and opposition to hatred. | Antigone defends her actions to Creon, emphasizing her belief in love over hate. | Antigone, the protagonist who values familial love over obedience to the state. |
| “We have only a little time to please the living. But all eternity to love the dead.” | Sophocles, Antigone | Reflects the transient nature of life and the enduring nature of love. | Antigone speaks about the importance of honoring the dead, which drives her actions. | Antigone, who chooses to bury her brother against the king’s orders. |
| “I didn’t say yes. I can say no to anything I say vile, and I don’t have to count the cost.” | Sophocles, Antigone | Asserts Antigone’s defiance and moral independence. | Antigone explains her stance against Creon’s decree. | Antigone, emphasizing her moral conviction and courage. |
| “I have no love for a friend who loves in words alone.” | Sophocles, Antigone | Critiques superficial expressions of friendship. | Antigone values actions over empty words. | Antigone, who believes in genuine, action-based loyalty. |
| “And even if I die in the act, that death will be a glory. I will lie with the one I love and loved by him.” | Sophocles, Antigone | Expresses Antigone’s acceptance of death for a noble cause. | Antigone speaks of her readiness to die for her brother. | Antigone, who sees her actions as a fulfillment of her duty to family and gods. |
| “It is the dead, not the living, who make the longest demands.” | Sophocles, Antigone | Highlights the enduring obligations to the deceased. | Antigone discusses the unending duty to honor the dead. | Antigone, whose actions are driven by her loyalty to her deceased brother. |
| “By open words a scheme of villainy is soon bewrayed.” | Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus | Suggests that honesty quickly exposes evil plans. | Reflects the theme of honesty versus deceit in the play. | Antigone, who values truth and transparency. |
| “Ah, woe is me! Where shall I fly, where find Succor from gods or men?” | Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus | Expresses a deep sense of despair and helplessness. | Antigone laments her dire situation. | Antigone, reflecting on her isolation and the challenges she faces. |
| “Say I am mad and give my madness rein to wreck itself; the worst that can befall is but to die an honorable death.” | Sophocles, Antigone | Emphasizes the nobility in dying for one’s beliefs. | Antigone defends her actions as honorable, even if perceived as madness. | Antigone, accepting the consequences of her defiance. |
| “No man shall say that I betrayed a brother.” | Sophocles, Antigone | Reflects Antigone’s steadfast loyalty to her family. | Antigone’s commitment to family honor. | Antigone, who prioritizes family loyalty above all else. |
| “To reverence kith and kin can bring no shame.” | Sophocles, Antigone | Highlights the importance of family reverence. | Antigone argues that honoring family is never disgraceful. | Antigone, defending her actions to honor her brother. |
| “Yea, for these laws were not ordained of Zeus, And she who sits enthroned with gods below, Justice, enacted not these human laws.” | Sophocles, Antigone | Contrasts divine laws with human laws. | Antigone argues that her actions align with divine justice, not human decrees. | Antigone, upholding divine laws over Creon’s edicts. |
| “For death is gain to him whose life, like mine, is full of misery.” | Sophocles, Antigone | Reflects the tragic view of life and death. | Antigone sees death as a release from her suffering. | Antigone, who views death as preferable to a life of misery. |
| “No youths have sung the marriage song for me, My bridal bed no maids have strewn with flowers from the lea, ‘Tis Death I wed.” | Sophocles, Antigone | Depicts Antigone’s tragic acceptance of her fate. | Antigone laments her lost opportunities for a normal life. | Antigone, who resigns herself to a premature death. |
| “All men make mistakes, but a good man yields when he knows his course is wrong, and repairs the evil. The only crime is pride.” | Sophocles, Antigone | Critiques the dangers of pride and stubbornness. | Reflects the play’s theme of humility and self-awareness. | Creon, who eventually recognizes his tragic flaws. |
| “Go then if you must, but remember, no matter how foolish your deeds, those who love you will love you still.” | Sophocles, Antigone | Highlights unconditional love. | Reflects the loyalty of Antigone’s loved ones. | Ismene, expressing her love for Antigone despite her actions. |
| “A man, though wise, should never be ashamed of learning more, and must unbend his mind.” | Sophocles, Antigone | Emphasizes the value of continuous learning. | Reflects the play’s advocacy for wisdom and humility. | Haemon, urging his father to be open-minded. |
| “There’s nothing in the world so demoralizing as money.” | Sophocles, Antigone | Critiques the corrupting power of money. | Reflects on the moral decay caused by greed. | Creon, lamenting the impact of bribery and corruption. |
| “Tomorrow is tomorrow. Future cares have future cures, And we must mind today.” | Sophocles, Antigone | Advocates for living in the present. | Reflects the importance of focusing on the present moment. | N/A |
| “Grief teaches the steadiest minds to waver.” | Sophocles, Antigone | Acknowledges the profound impact of grief. | Highlights the destabilizing effect of sorrow. | N/A |
Antigone, through its poignant quotes and timeless themes, continues to resonate with audiences today. Its exploration of love, honor, pride, and justice makes it a powerful and enduring piece of literature. The quotes from the play not only provide insight into the characters but also offer profound reflections on the human condition.
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