Language and Diction
As far as language and diction, we found that our different translations implied different levels of elevation for the language. The level of formality was different for each of our texts. Overall, it is very discernable, it isn't super elevated, it can be understood easily and doesn't require a dictionary or anything for the vocabulary.
Vocabulary
As far as the vocabulary it is relatively mid-level, there isn't any kind of jargon or technical language either as far as the vocabulary.
Words unique to the Time Period
We couldn't find many words unique to the time period. We did stumble upon, the ai ai and oi moi, which are conventions of Greek tragedy and they are used to convey pain, suffering, and grief in different characters throughout the play.
Dominating Words
Some of the dominating words are: honor, gods, law and order, punishment, loyalty. This certainly tells a lot about the purpose of the play and what it meant to the audience that was observing it. These words in and of themselves certainly serve as a clear indicator of the major motifs and themes throughout the play.
Some Themes We Discovered
Simply knowing how many times these words arise throughout the play, we as audience members can make a good guesstimate about what the play will cover.
One of the major themes is also the separation between loyalty/devotion to higher power/family and obedience to earthly authority.
The word Marriage
The word marriage came up quite a bit too, this isn't as dominating as the other words above but it certainly was a topic that was covered quite a bit throughout the text. Marriage was a dominating concept in Greek culture and throughout several different plays (especially the Oedipus plays). Who married who, incestual love, etc.
Imagery (passages)
Sophocles referenced Dionysus quite a bit throughout the text. The text used the analogy/imagery of Dionysus to serve as a cultural analogy to Antigone's frenzied emotional state, which was constantly very heightened, passionate and overall very intense.
There is also the passage that says "the goddess Aphrodite has her throne next to the mighty laws." Aphrodite is also one of the divine beings that is associated with passion and emotion. This illustrates the pervasive nature of emotion as it relates to reason and order.
Teiresias uses imagery regarding pollution, "you should not have done this (forbidding Polyneices to be buried) and your violation has also polluted the gods above." He also mentions how the offerings he made to the gods can't be used in his prophecy because they are messy, slimy, and there is no fat on the bones. This emphasizes the notion that Creon's decree has gone against the religious ideas of the time.