Antigone Reading/Discussion Questions

English 2CP Antigone Mrs. Wenzell

Antigone – Reading/Discussion Questions

Prologue and Parodos Background The Greeks believed that the spirit of a dead person could enter Hades only after the body had been purified and buried. Until proper burial rites were performed, the person hovered at the gates of Hades, neither alive nor completely dead.

1. How are Antigone and Ismene contrasted in the first lines of the play? 2. In lines 25-26, what loaded words does Antigone use? 3. In line 35, what does this statement reveal about Antigone? 4. How are the concepts and conflicts of Free Will, Fate and Authority identified in Antigone and Ismene’s dialogue? 5. Why is Ismene is against a proper burial of her own brother when she, too, knows the consequences? 6. What can you infer about Antiqone’s loyalties? Ismene’s? 7. In one sentence, express Ismene’s argument against aiding Antigone as she explains it in lines 36-53. 8. Which of Antigone’s last lines (76-81) are meant to produce the most emotional effect? 9. What are Antigone’s motives? 10. What are Ismene’s motives? 11. How is the concept of free will illustrated by Antigone’s actions? 12. What does Ismene beg Antigone to do? 13. How does the Parodos differ in tone and content from the Prologue?

Scene 1, Ode 1 Background The original audience for Antigone might have read between the lines in Creon’s first speech to the Chorus. They might have seen some political commentary. Athens was a democracy, but there were memories of its previous rulers, who worked hard to preserve their family identities and their families welfare. Even in the democracy, aristocratic families were known to promote their own interest. Thus, it would have been important for the audience to hear Creon distancing himself from Polyneices, a rebellious family member, and decrying nepotism.

1. In Creon’s first words to the chorus, what were the “storms” that threatened to destroy the Ship of State? 2. What reasons does Creon give for now allowing Polyneices to be buried? 3. How does the end of Creon’s speech differ from the beginning lines? 4. How does the Choragos feel about Creon’s command? 5. How do you know this? 6. What do the lines 64-65 reveal about Creon’s character? 7. How does the arrival of the Sentry affect the scene? 8. What news is the Sentry reluctant to deliver? 9. How does the Sentry’s announcement-there is evidence that Creon’s command has been disobeyed-affect the action of the plot? 10. Retell the order of events of the Sentry’s story in lines 98-112. 11. After reading the first three verses of Ode 1, state the main idea 12. On the basis of final verse of Ode 1,why do you think the Chorus supports Creon? 13. What is the role of Divine Intervention? 14. What are Creon’s motivations? 15. What decisions does Creon make that might have antagonistic consequences?

Scene 2, Ode 2 Background Creon’s comments about his nieces underscores Ismene’s role as a foil to Antigone. Ismene’s main purpose in the play is to emphasize, through her own weakness, Antigone’s strength. The curse that afflicts the royal family is a thread that runs throughout the play. In Ode 2, the Chorus identifies Antigone’s suffering as a consequence off the sin and downfall of Oedipus. Notice that the language of Ode 2 is more metaphorical, and alliterative than that of the dialogue. The ode also contains several historical and mythological allusions, whereas the dialogue is more plainly spoken.

1. In lines 18-20,what does Creon’s reaction suggest ahout his relationship with Antigone? 2. Why has Antigone violated Creon’s decree? 3. How do you feel about Creon’s accusation of Ismene? 4. In lines 106-118, what is Creon’s main point and what is Antigone’s? 5. Lines 119-127 have contrasting images of Ismene, one from Choragos and one from Creon. What are they? 6. In this scene, Ismene wants to join Antigone in the death sentence. From what you know of her, what do you think is her motivation? 7. Is family more important than the law? 8. From what you know of Antigone, why do you think she rejects Ismene and excludes her from the death sentence? Why does she support one family member and not the other? 9. Why does the Sentry want/need to prove Creon wrong? 10. Is it important that Antigone acted out of love and not defiance? Should motive make a difference? 11. In lines 75-80, what does this reveal about Antigone? Creon? Greek society? Values? 12. What is the role of Authority? Free will? Family values? 13. Why does Creon discredit Antigone?

Class: Answer questions on page 787 on a separate sheet of paper – 1, 3b, 4b, 5b, 7 Class: Answer questions on page 788 on a separate sheet of paper- 2, 3, 4, 5, 6a, 6b, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

Scene 3, Ode 3 Background Although in Scene 1 Creon claims to represent the State, in Scene3 he refuses to accept the idea that his subjects support Antigone. “And the City proposes to teach me how to rule?” Finally, he gives up all pretense of representation and declares, “The State is the king!” The question of tyrannical power and authority surfaces and it’s ultimate destructive nature comes into question. Athenian audiences despised tyrants because tyrants ruled Athens for about a hundred years before a democratic government was established in 508 BC.

Begin to view the characters in terms of a tragic character. A tragic character experiences a reversal of fortune as a result of fate or a flaw in his or her character. The tragic flaw is a fatal weakness in the character that causes this person to become enmeshed in events that lead to his or her downfall. This play has two tragic characters: Antigone and Creon.

1. What is ironic about Creon’s advice regarding Antigone in lines 19-33? 2. Look at lines 35-36 and describe the kind of leader that would say these words 3. From lines 45-48, what would you say Creon fears the most? 4. What character flaw is revealed by Creon in lines15-20? 5. What are Creon’s motives? How are his flaws revealed? 6. What is Haimon’s main argument in lines 51-67? 7. What is Haimon’s tone in 51-67? 8. Why does the Choragos refuse to take sides in lines 92-94? 9. Lines 111-112has Haimon expressing an opinion. How is his opinion like Antigone’s? What did she say that was similar? 10. What does Haimon mean in line 119? 11. Is Haimon fighting for free will by challenging authority? 12. How has Haimon’s attitude changed from the beginning of the scene to the end? 13. What is the price of ultimate authority?

Class: Working with a partner, prepare to memorize and re-enact this scene. Emphasize lines42-68 and 95-107. There is a great deal of emotion here. How do you think it should be presented? In Scene 3 there is great powering the dialogue between Haimon and Creon. It is a verbal sparring match and yet certainly some of the scene’s dramatic tension lies in how the actors present themselves on stage.

Ode 3 is a bitter commentary of love. Discuss or write about the view of love given in Ode 3. Why does the Chorus give only one view of love? Suggest some of the strengths of love by writing a poem. Scene 4, Ode 4 Background Antigone holds to the classical Greek view of the afterlife: Although it is a place where there are “no more tears and where there may be some reunion with those who have gone before, it is also a place without warmth and music, a place of darkness and a place of thin ghosts. Indeed, a part of Antigone’s heroism lies in her willingness to consign herself to a place of such mixed happiness and gloom.

1. In Antigone’s first lines, is she showing regret? What is the tone and mood of the scene? 2. What fate does Antigone compare to her own? 3. What does Antigone say is the cause of her death? 4. What does Antigone look forward to in death? 5. What curse does she put on Creon? 6. Do you think the family curse deserves to be mentioned in this scene? 7. Creon says his hands are clean in lines 56-57, does he believe this or is he posturing? 8. How does Antigone’s reference to Niobe reflect her own suffering? 9. What flaw in Antigone’s character does the chorus reveal? 10. What is the relationship between fate and free will? 11. What is the subject of Ode 4? Why does the Chorus explain Danae’s story at this point? What is the connection to Antigone and her situation?

Scene 5, Paean, and Exodos Background What was new in the plays of Sophocles was their greater emphasis on the development of individual character…His characters are no longer simply the playthings of the gods. They act in accord with definite ideas of their own…all of Sophocles’ protagonists display unshakable will power….”(Robert Flaceliere, Literary History of Greece). Flaceliere suggests that Antigone, rather than Creon, is the play’s best example of inflexible will power. Do you think Sophocles believes “inflexible will power” to be a tragic flaw or a virtue? Notice the repetition of a burial in the Exodos. Burials are representative of familial and religious loyalty. This is the extended metaphor of Antigone. By the end of the play, Creon will seek his own burial.

1. What is Teiresias predicting? 2. At what point in Scene 5 does Creon change his tone and attitude? When does he give in? Why? 3. Why does Creon decide to save Antigone? What are his motivations? 4. What is Creon’s state of mind? 5. What does Teiresias accuse Creon of? 6. Why does Creon suspect Teiresias of being corrupt? Is Creon loosing control? What is he afraid of? 7. In line 102, what is Creon afraid of? 8. What does the messenger’s words imply happened? 9. What is worse, living with the pain, or death?

Class: Answer questions on page 808- 1, 4b, 5a, 5b, 7

Class: Answer questions on page 809 – 2, 3, 5 ,6,