How do Sophocles' attitude and personality change throughout 'Antigone'?

The attitude and personality of Sophocles (495 B.C.E.* - 406 B.C.E.) may be seen through the comments of the chorus. At first, the chorus is supportive of Theban King Creon. They respond to the King's decreed non-burial of the enemy dead with the comment that Creon "...hast power...to take what order thou will, both for the dead, and for all in who live." Next, they express disquiet over the illegal burial of Polyneices with the question, "O king, my thoughts have long been whispering, can this deed, perchance, be e'en the work of gods?" Then they become cautious in the face of death's inevitability, and the remembrance of both manmade laws and god-given justice.

The chorus always take a judgmental stance regarding Antigone, because of her inflexible passion and rash, foolhardy speech. They go on to being observant of the nature of divine and human interactions: "Nothing that is vast enters into the life of mortals without a curse." They even may be said to see mortals as the toy of the gods to be tempted, cursed, and punished. Indeed, their matter-of-fact observation is coupled with an agreeing to the importance of obedience, and to the replaceability and questionable nature of women.

The attitude of the chorus becomes conciliatory over the conversation between Theban King Creon and his son Haemon. They note, "...on both parts there hath been wise speech." But it quickly shifts to warning against the "fierce" passions of youth regarding Haemon, the stubbornness regarding the King, and the inexorable workings of fate particularly in response to pride.