Structure in Antigone by SophoclesAristotle in his Poetics (chap. 7) says: ?[T]hey now introduce the proper structure of the plot, since it is the first and most important. something tragic? (1033). MH Abrams says that "almost every literary theorist since Aristotle has emphasized the importance of structure, conceived in various ways, in the analysis of a literary work." (300). The question of Sophocles' structure? Antigone is the subject of varied interpretations among literary critics, as this essay will reveal. Gilbert Murray, a professor at Oxford University in England, cites the structure as one of the reasons he chose Sophocles to translate. Then he develops this structure: “But Sophocles worked by blurring its structural contours just as he blurs the endings of his verses. With him, the traditional divisions are all made less distinct, all worked towards a greater naturalness. . . .It was a very big gain. . . .? (107). Murray is referring to Sophocles here? modification of the classic structure of the tragic drama. This is distinct from what Aristotle calls above “plot structure.” The classic structure of drama includes: Prologue? everything up to the chorus; Parodos? the chorus? sung; First episode? plot development by the main character(s); First Stasimon? again the chorus; Repetition of episodes and Stasimons until the climax is near; Exodus? the climax, the crisis and the catastrophe. As Murray notes, Sophocles did not adhere to classical structure as rigidly as other playwrights of the period. Aristotle’s “plot structure”? Is this what most literary critics mean when they refer to “structure”? of Antigone. In chapter 18 of the Poetics, Aristotle states: “Every time... in the middle of a paper... is hurt. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., 1984. Murray, Gilbert. “Reflections of a great translator on Oedipus the King.” In Readings on Sophocles, edited by Don Nardo. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press, 1997. Segal, Charles Paul. ? Sophocles? Praise of man and conflicts of Antigone. In Sophocles: A Collection of Critical Essays, edited by Thomas Woodard. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1966. Sophocles. Antigone. Translated by RC Jebb. The Classic Internet Archive. no pag.http://classics.mit.edu/Sophocles/antigone.html?Sophocles? In Literature of the Western World, edited by Brian Wilkie and James Hurt. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., 1984. Woodard, Thomas. Introduction. In Sophocles: A Collection of Critical Essays, edited by Thomas Woodard. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc..., 1966.