Antigone, a timeless tragedy penned by the ancient Greek playwright Sophocles, tells the story of a young woman who defies the laws of the state in order to honor her deceased brother. The Plumptre translation captures the essence of the original play, preserving the poetic language and powerful emotions that make it a classic in the world of literature.

The character of Antigone herself is compelling and complex, torn between her duty to her family and her duty to the state. Her unwavering resolve and fierce loyalty to her brother make her a sympathetic and admirable protagonist. The play also delves into themes of loyalty, justice, and the consequences of defying authority, making it a thought-provoking exploration of morality and power.

The translation by Plumptre stays true to the poetic nature of the original text, maintaining the dramatic tension and emotional depth that define Sophocles' work. The language is beautiful and evocative, drawing the reader into the world of ancient Thebes and the tragic fate of its inhabitants.

Overall, Antigone is a powerful and poignant play that continues to resonate with audiences centuries after it was first written. The Plumptre translation does justice to Sophocles' masterpiece, capturing the beauty and tragedy of this timeless story.

Book Description:
A powerful artistic protest against tyranny, "Antigone" has been translated and adapted dozens of times, applied over and over through the centuries to current forms of the oppression so common to human experience. Antigone's heroic resistance to Creon's petty, capricious, and unbending law has a never-ending relevance even in the third millennium CE. The play was written at a time of national fervor. In 441 BC, shortly after the play was released, Sophocles was appointed as one of the ten generals to lead a military expedition against Samos. It is striking that a prominent play in a time of such imperialism contains little political propaganda, no impassioned apostrophe, and, with the exception of the epiklerate (the right of the daughter to continue her dead father's lineage), and arguments against anarchy, makes no contemporary allusion or passing reference to Athens. Rather than become sidetracked with the issues of the time, Antigone remains focused on the characters and themes within the play. It does, however, expose the dangers of the absolute ruler, or tyrant, in the person of Creon, a king to whom few will speak freely and openly their true opinions, and who therefore makes the grievous error of condemning Antigone, an act which he pitifully regrets in the play's final lines. Athenians, proud of their democratic tradition, would have identified his error in the many lines of dialogue which emphasize that the people of Thebes believe he is wrong, but have no voice to tell him so.