Eteocles must defend the city of Thebes against an invading army led by his own brother, Polyneices, to fulfill a devastating familial curse. As the king of Thebes, Eteocles prepares the city's seven gates against the seven Argive champions, each gate guarded by a chosen Theban commander. The narrative unfolds through a series of formal dialogues and choral odes that emphasize the inevitability of the brothers' mutual destruction. The play operates within the rigid constraints of Attic tragedy, focusing on the tension between civic duty and the inescapable weight of ancestral sin. The structure relies heavily on the interaction between the protagonist and the Chorus, who represent the fearful citizens of Thebes.

Readers and scholars frequently analyze this work for its stark portrayal of the transition from epic heroism to the claustrophobic intensity of the tragic stage. Discussion often centers on the characterization of Eteocles as a man caught between his role as a protector of the city and his role as a doomed participant in a blood feud. Critics highlight the effectiveness of the choral odes in establishing an atmosphere of impending doom that permeates the entire play. Many readers note that the play serves as a foundational example of how ancient writers utilized myth to explore complex political and moral dilemmas. The translation by Hecht and Bacon is often praised for maintaining the rhythmic gravity and formal dignity required for a modern reading of this classical text.