At the beginning of the play, Creon has recently become the ruler of Thebes after his brother-in-law, Eteocles, killed his other brother-in-law, Polynices, in battle. Creon has decreed that Eteocles should be buried with honors while Polynices should be left unburied and exposed to the elements as punishment for his treason. Antigone, the sister of Eteocles and Polynices, defies Creon's decree and buries Polynices. Creon discovers Antigone's act and sentences her to death.
In response to Antigone's sentence, Haemon, Creon's son and Antigone's betrothed, begs his father to spare Antigone's life. Creon refuses, and Haemon threatens to kill himself if Antigone is killed. Creon eventually relents and agrees to free Antigone. However, when Creon arrives at the tomb where Antigone is imprisoned, he finds that she has hanged herself.
The news of Antigone's death devastates Haemon, who stabs himself to death in front of Creon. Upon seeing his son's body, Creon is overcome with grief and remorse. He realizes that he has made a terrible mistake in condemning Antigone to death and curses himself for his actions.
Eurydice is not present during these events, but her grief over the deaths of her son and Antigone is mentioned by other characters. In the final scene of the play, Creon declares that he will never be happy again and that he will be haunted by the memory of his mistakes for the rest of his life.