Sophocles (c. 496–406 BC) was one of the leading tragedians of ancient Greece, along with Aeschylus and Euripides. His work falls into the classical period, when theatre served not only entertainment but also education and moralizing purposes.
The play was written around 442 BC and performed in Athens during the Great Dionysia. Its content focuses on the conflict between divine and human laws. The titular character, Antigone, defies the order of King Creon and decides to bury her brother Polynices, which leads to her tragic death.
The play presents a fundamental moral dilemma: what is more important – loyalty to family and divine commands or obedience to state law? Sophocles examines the limits of power, the duties of a citizen and the consequences of excessive pride ( hubris ). Creon, symbolizing the severity of law and reason of state, does not see that his stubbornness leads to disaster.
Kazimierz Morawski's translation, published in 1911, is still considered one of the most faithful and elegant. It is characterized by a precise rendering of the original Greek structure and the poetic nature of the text. Morawski tried to preserve the rhythm and style of the tragedy, which is why his translation is still eagerly used in literary analyses and stagings.
Morawski (1852–1925) was an outstanding classical philologist, literary historian, and translator, as well as a professor at the Jagiellonian University. His book Emperor Tiberius was published by Rambler Press. The translation of Antigone remains one of the key Polish translations of this tragedy, enabling contemporary readers to approach the original beauty of Greek tragedy.
ABOUT THE EDITION
Circulation : 25 copies
Binding: handcrafted full leather, with case
Font : Brunel Text Roman No 2 , a digital version of a typeface cut c.1800 by John Isaac Drury for Elisabeth Caslon (c.1796)
Paper: cotton Fabriano Tiepolo
Format : Octavo
Number of pages: 144
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