1. Why Do Creon and Haimon Argue?

Scenes 3 through 5

1. Why do Creon and Haimon argue? 2. According to Teiresias, what terrible punishment awaits Creon? 3. What action does Creon take after Teirisias’ prophecy? 4. What does the Messenger tell Eurydice before she leaves the stage during the Exodos? 5. What finally happens to Antigone? Haimon? Eurydice? 6. Explain the conflicts that drive Haimon to take extreme measures. Does he seem more concerned with divine law, to which Antigone turns for her justification, or with human law? Support your answer. 7. Why does Creon say, “I have neither life nor substance” in the Exodos? 8. How great a role do you think fate plays in dictating the outcome of the story? 9. Both Antigone and Creon are unwilling to appear weak. How could this trait influence a person’s outlook on life? 10.Explain how this play demonstrates the tension that sometimes exists between individual conscience and designated authority. 11.Near the end of the play, Creon says, “The pains that men will take to come to pain!” How do his words apply to contemporary society?

12.(a) In your opinion, who is brought down most completely at the conclusion of

the action? (b) Give evidence to support your answer.

13.(a) What is this character’s tragic flaw? (b) How does this flaw lead to the

character’s downfall?

14.What role, if any, does fate play in leading to the downfall?

15.With which character did you most identify? Why?

16.Which actions, events, or lines in the play led you to identify with that character?

17.How did your identification with a character draw you into the action of the play?

18.In Antigone, it is not easy to decide who is the tragic hero. Traditionally, the role has been assigned to Antigone herself. Some critics argue, however, that Creon is the real tragic hero and that his role is the more dramatic. In deciding who is truly the tragic hero or heroine in Antigone, you should first consider whether the play is constructed to arouse greater pity or terror for Antigone’s situation or for Creon’s. About which of the two can it be said that his/her misfortune is brought about by some error or frailty? If the frailty in character is one of pride, who suffers more acutely as a result of it—Creon or Antigone?