Jean Cocteau's drawing symbolises the image that many people have of the confrontation between Antigone and Creon. Two adults locked in dispute, head to head... Many of the problems in understanding this play disappear whren you realise that Antigone is a very young girl. She is betrothed, but unmarried. Athenian girls (yes, I know Antigone was a Theban! There are theories that say the Theban setting of the three plays is relevant, that Sophocles was …showed first 75 words of 332 total…

…showed last 75 words of 332 total…I find it highly unlikely that the male Athenian audience will sympathise with Antigone at the start of the play. She seems like a typical wild and undisciplined child, defying her elders and making scenes! Having lost her parents, such behaviour would seem even more natural. And so we don't take her too seriously when she says she'll bury her brother's body, and tries to involve herself in polis matters which don't concern a woman.