Jean Anouilh's play Antigone is a tragedy inspired by Greek mythology and the play of the same name (Antigone, by Sophocles) from the fifth century B.C. It is often distinguished from its antecedent by being pronounced in its original French form, approximately "Ante-GŌN." Jean Anouilh(June 23, 1910- October 3, 1987) was a major French dramatist of the 20th century. ... Tragedy is one of the oldest forms of drama. ... Greek mythology comprises the collected legends of Greek gods and goddesses and ancient heroes and heroines, originally created and spread within an oral-poetic tradition. ... Antigone is a tragedy written in 442 BC by Sophocles. ... A Roman bust of Sophocles. ... French (français, langue française) is one of the most important Romance languages, outnumbered in speakers only by Spanish and Portuguese. ...

The play was first performed in Paris on February 6, 1944, not insignificantly during the Nazi occupation thereof. It is widely understood that the character of Antigone was to stand in for courageous members of the French resistance, while her uncle Créon represents the collaborators to the German occupiers. The Eiffel Tower has become the symbol of Paris throughout the world. ... February 6 is the 37th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1944 was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Nazi party used a right-facing swastika as their symbol and the red and black colors were said to represent Blut und Boden (blood and soil). ... Belligerent military occupation, occurs when one nations military garrisons occupy all or part of the territory of another nation or recognized belligerent during an invasion (during or after a war). ... A painting of Antigone by Frederic Leighton There were two women named Antigone (like her ancestors) in Greek mythology. ... The French Resistance is the name used for resistance movements that fought military occupation of France by Nazi Germany and the resulting Vichy France during World War II after France surrendered in 1940. ... In Greek mythology, Creon, or Kreon (ruler), son of Menoeceus, was the father of Haemon and husband of Eurydice. ... Collaboration, literally, consists of working together with one or more others. ... Nazi Germany, or the Third Reich, commonly refers to Germany in the years 1933–1945, when it was under the firm control of the totalitarian and fascist ideology of the Nazi Party, with the Führer Adolf Hitler as dictator. ...

Just as in the myth and original play, the action follows the battle for Thèbes in which both of Antigone's brothers have been killed. Créon, now king, has decreed that while Antigone's brother Etéocle should be given the usual respectful burial, Polynice must be left to as carrion for scavengers. Antigone chooses to attempt to bury Polynice, is brought before Créon as a prisoner. Créon attempts to overlook the offense, perhaps because Antigone is betrothed to his son Hémon, but Antigone refuses to be denied the responsibility for her actions, whether they be viewed as guilt or credit. The crux of the play is the lengthy dialogue between Créon and Antigone concerning the nature of power, fate, and choice. For the ancient capital of Upper Egypt, see Thebes, Egypt. ... In Greek mythology, Eteocles was the son of Oedipus and Jocasta, the father of Laodamas. ... In Greek mythology, Polynices was the son of Oedipus and Jocasta. ... In Greek mythology, Haemon (bloody) (or Haimon) was the son of Creon and Eurydice. ... The term dialogue (or dialog) expresses basically reciprocal conversation between two or more persons. ...

Aside from the two major speaking roles, also appearing are:

• Ismène, Antigone's sister
• La Nourrice, Antigone's nursemaid
• Hémon, Antigone's betrothed
• Les gardes, Theban royal guards
• Le chœur, a Greek-style chorus
• Le messager, a messanger

Créon's wife Eurydice is spoken of but does not appear onstage. In Greek mythology, Ismene was a daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta. ... In tragic plays of Ancient Greece, the chorus was, originally, made of 12 singing and dancing members. ... In Greek mythology, there were two characters named Eurydice, or Eurydíkê. The more famous was a woman - or a nymph - named Eurydice who was the wife of Orpheus. ...