The play begins with Antigonick returning home in the early hours of the morning. We soon learn that her sister Ismene who had agreed to bury their brother Polyneikes no longer believes she nor they should do it as the punishment for doing so is death. Polyneikes was son of Oedipus and brother to the sitting King Eteokles who refused to give up the throne to allow his brother to rule in alternating years as they had agreed upon. Polyneikes attacks Thebes and fights his brother and the two kill one another. Eteokles is given a proper royal burial while his brother lies to rot for the animals to eat as Kreon, their Uncle is now King of Thebes and has issued an edict that no one shall bury the body of Polyneikes. He's done this to regain control of the city.
When Kreon finds out that Antigonick has attempted to bury Polyneikes he calls her before him in order to give her the chance to live. He commands her to never attempt it again and makes it clear that he will get rid of the guards who saw her do it so there is non proof he spared her life. This is not agreed to by Antigonick as she tells Kreon she will attempt to bury her brother again and will not stop. He will have to kill her.
Kreon orders the guards to take Antigonick away, and his son Haemon pleads with his father to save her life. But Kreon won't do it. Haemon goes to the rock tomb where the guards are sealing in Antigonick and finds she has killed herself. In great rage and despair he takes his own life. And soon after Kreon's wife, Queen Euridike kills herself as well. The play ends with all of Kreon's loved ones dead and he continues about "ruling" his kingdom.
