Probably no other classical tragedy has as firm a place in the Polish consciousness as Antigone. The educated public is familiar with some quotes and interpretations which have been put in circulation by the Polish translations of Sophocles’ drama. What do we really know, though, about the play and its main characters? Do we understand their words, attitudes, and behaviour well (as our understanding depends on the varying accuracy of the translations)? This article revisits and reexamines these entrenched interpretations; it looks again at words and metaphors in the original text with a view of finding a fresh perspective on that extraordinarily important and inspiring drama.