Download Study Guide for Sophocles` Antigone (p.189

Study Guide for Sophocles' Antigone (p.189-245)
Ideally, Antigone should be read straight through. You do not have to hand in any written
material on Antigone, but you should be able to answer these questions (especially the ones in
bold) and find quotes you wish to discuss.
Prologue/Parados
1. Identify the following: Antigone, Ismene, Creon, Polynices.
2. What edict has Creon issued?
3. Compare Ismene's and Antigone's reactions to that edict.
4. Describe Antigone's state of mind in this scene.
5. What noble qualities does Antigone display?
6. What faults does she display?
7. Describe Ismene's character.
8. Is Antigone justified in her anger against Ismene-fully explain why.
9. Which of the sisters is more practical?
10. What is the "awful sin" of their father for which they are left to
suffer? (see lines 43-47)
11. What appears at this point to be the main conflict in the play?
12. Who will probably be the primary combatants?
Scene I—Creon’s Address to the Chorus
1. What was the reason for the battle in which the sons of Oedipus were
slain?
2. Describe the battle in your own words. On what basis does Creon claim
the throne?
3. Describe and discuss Creon's philosophy of government as indicated in his
address to the chorus. List the points in his philosophy one by one.
4. How does Creon justify his refusal to grant Polynices a proper burial?
5. Are Creon's intentions good or bad? What is your basis for making your
judgment?
6. How does the chorus receive Creon's edict? (Remember one of the
functions of the Chorus is to indicate the proper response for the audience.)
7. What two functions does the chorus serve in this scene?
Scene I—Creon’s discussion with the Sentry
1. Relate the Sentry's story in your own words.
2. Although Greek dramatists seldom introduce comic characters or comic
scenes into tragedies, Sophocles makes an exception to this rule in Antigone.
Point out humorous aspects of this scene.
3. What character flaws does Creon reveal in this scene?
4. Which principles of the "wise rulership" which he outlined to the chorus
does he violate?
5. What subtle foreboding of tragedy is provided by the chorus in lines
307-310?
Scene II—Creon and the Sentry
1. Relate the Sentry's story in your own words.
2. What is Antigone's attitude throughout her confrontation with Creon?
3. Is there any justification for her attitude?
4. Is there any justification for Creon's attitude?
5. Why does Antigone refuse to permit Ismene to share responsibility for the
deed? What is your reaction to Antigone's treatment of Ismene?
6. How does Antigone help to provoke Creon? (At this point, consider how
embarrassing your parents in public affects them.)
7. Who appears to be in the right? According to the chorus, who is right?
8. What indication of forthcoming trouble for Creon is given by the chorus?
Scene III—discussion between Haimon (also spelled Haemon), Creon’s son, and Creon
1. According to Creon, what qualities should a son possess? Is he
unreasonable?
2. In lines 564-568 Creon states, "He whom the State appoints must be
obeyed/ To the smallest matter, be it right-or wrong./ And he that rules his
household, without a doubt,/ Will make the wisest king…." Do you agree or
disagree?
3. In your own words, give Haemon's arguments in defense of Antigone and
Creon's reaction to that argument. What opposing ideals are Creon and Haemon
upholding in their quarrel?
5. In what two ways might Haemon's threat of line 646 be interpreted?
6. What interpretation does Creon place on it?
7. After Haemon exits, the chorus voices the fear that he may do something
rash. Does Creon share this fear? Why not? (see question 6)
8. What punishment does Creon decide to impose upon Antigone?
10. What is to become of Ismene?
11. Haemon does not appear in the original Antigone story; Sophocles added
him as a character. What is his contribution to the drama?
Scene IV
1. What is the Chorus' conception of love? (Ode III)
2. What is its view of Antigone's death?
3. According to the chorus, what has brought on Antigone's fate? As
Antigone is being led away, what reason does she give for wanting to bury her
brother?
5. Why does she not show the same devotion toward her other brother who was
killed defending the city?
6. How, if at all, has Antigone changed? Compare her attitude in scene i to
her attitude now.
7. Does she fear death? Why does she wish she could live?
8. What is the purpose of lines 791-814? (the chorus speech about Antigone)
9. What is Creon's attitude throughout this scene?
10. What indicates this attitude may soon be altered?
Scene V
1. How has the prophet determined that the gods are unhappy with Creon?
2. What advice does he give the ruler?
3. What does Creon reveal about himself in making unfounded accusations
against Teiresias?
4. When before did Creon accuse someone of bribery in the burial of
Polynices?
5. On what basis does the chorus advise Creon to free Antigone and bury her
brother?
6. Which one of these deeds does Creon plan to perform himself? What is the
one thing Creon says he has learned?
7. What is the tone of the chorus' last speech in this scene?
Exodos
1. Creon had planned to go immediately to Antigone. Why then does he first
stop to perform the burial rites upon the body of Polynices?
2. What effect does this pausing have on the reader?
3. Describe the events leading up to Haemon's death exactly. What are the
details of how he reacts to his father?
4. Why does Eurydice commit suicide?
5. Some have suggested that Eurydice's late entry into the play in
unnecessarily melodramatic. Do you agree?
6. When does Creon finally accept the full responsibility for the deaths in
his family? (lines 1105 and 1120) Write down the lines in which he states
he is responsible.
7. Does Creon have an excess of a quality which would normally be considered
good in a man or a ruler?
8. Who is the tragic figure in the play?
(Remember that in Aristotle's definition the crucial factor is recognition of
one's own wrongdoing.)
9. At the end of the play, the chorus is left alone to resolve the conflict
that has led to great unhappiness. What does it decide?
10. Why does no one mourn Antigone? Why is she not even mentioned? Why is
the play titled Antigone despite the fact that no one mourns her?