Download Exodos (or Epilogue and Exodus)

Exodos (or Epilogue and Exodus)
Suggested Journal Topics
Modern critics warn us against boiling down a work of
literature to a moral axiom, but the chorus does just that in the
last five lines of the play. What might be a better theme
statement than the one that ends this play?
Aristotle reportedly said that this play did not fit his definition
of a tragedy. Many people observe that Antigone did not learn
anything from her experiences and claim that Creon was too
mean to be a fit tragic hero. If Antigone is the heroic
protagonist of the play, in what sense is she heroic? Is she
saintly, or does she have flaws? Does a protagonist have to be
free of flaws for us to admire her? Read the article about
Antigone’s tragic flaw before you respond. The article,
entitled "Antigone's Flaw," is located under the link entitled
Antigone Resources.
Is Creon a tragic figure? Do you feel sympathy for him at the
end as someone who initially tried to do good yet was
overwhelmed by circumstance, or do you believe that he is a
bullying, misogynistic control-freak who gets what he
deserves?
Why does Antigone commit suicide?
The German philosopher Hegel stated that the Antigone
represents the tragic collision of right against right, with both
sides equally justified. Do you agree with this interpretation?
Why or why not? Describe the moral positions of Antigone
and Creon and point to the scenes and dialogues which reveal
them. Does Sophocles take a stand in favor of either side?
How? What vision of life, morality, and the gods' relationship
with men emerges from this play?
Antigone challenges Creon by breaking his law. Is it ever
appropriate to break the law? Talk about civil disobedience.
What does it mean? Is it possible to peacefully coexist when
you have radically different points of view about life?
Develop an ethical stance by drawing conclusions about when
it is acceptable to break a law. Explain your reasons.