Antigone, Interrupted

A new interpretation of Sophocles' Antigone, exploring the intertwined history of law, politics, gender and humanism.

Bonnie Honig (Author)

9781107668157, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 2 May 2013

340 pages
22.8 x 15.2 x 1.9 cm, 0.49 kg

'One of the great virtues of Antigone, Interrupted (and there are many) is its systematic disruption of these, now conventional, conceptions or receptions of Antigone as an isolated, heroic figure of mourning and resistance. … Honig's readings of the text … are inventive, unexpected and, in some parts, nothing short of inspired.' Paul Muldoon, History of Political Thought

Sophocles' Antigone is a touchstone in democratic, feminist and legal theory, and possibly the most commented upon play in the history of philosophy and political theory. Bonnie Honig's rereading of it therefore involves intervening in a host of literatures and unsettling many of their governing assumptions. Exploring the power of Antigone in a variety of political, cultural, and theoretical settings, Honig identifies the 'Antigone-effect' - which moves those who enlist Antigone for their politics from activism into lamentation. She argues that Antigone's own lamentations can be seen not just as signs of dissidence but rather as markers of a rival world view with its own sovereignty and vitality. Honig argues that the play does not offer simply a model for resistance politics or 'equal dignity in death', but a more positive politics of counter-sovereignty and solidarity which emphasizes equality in life.

Preface
Introduction
Part I. Interruption: Introduction to Part I: 1. Tragedy, maternalism, ethics: toward an agonistic humanism
2. 'Antigone versus Oedipus', I: feminist theory and the turn to Antigone
3. 'Antigone versus Oedipus', II: the directors' agon in Germany in Autumn
Part II. Conspiracy: Introduction to Part II: 4. Mourning, membership, and the politics of exception: plotting Creon's conspiracy with democracy
5. From lamentation to logos: Antigone's conspiracy with language
6. Sacrifice, sorority, integrity: Antigone's conspiracy with Ismene
Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Political science & theory [JPA], Gender studies: women [JFSJ1], Cultural studies [JFC], Social & political philosophy [HPS], Literary studies: classical, early & medieval [DSBB], Theatre studies [AN]