Study guide prepared by the students of John Marshall Gifted, Highly
Gifted, High Ability Magnet
Seven against Thebes, by Aeschylus
Cell 1:
Quote: “You it beseems now-boys unripened yet to lusty manhood,
men gone past the prime and increase of the full begetting seed, and
those whom youth and manhood well combined array for action all to
rise in aid of city, shrines, and altars of all powers who guard our
land.”
Summary: Eteocles (ruling king of Thebes) is calling forth every man
in the city, whether young or aged to help fight the threat imposed on
him.
Comprehension Question: Why is Eteocles addressing the men?
Vocabulary Question: “Down with Eteocles! A clamorous curse, a
dirge of ruin.”
In the quote above, the word clamorous most closely means:
A) Quiet
B) Loud
C) Subtle
D) Linguistic
Predictive Question: Do you think the men of Thebes are ready to
fight and defend their city?
Ethical Question: Do you think its right to draft boys at young ages
to go to war?
Cell 2:
Quote: “But now the seer, the feeder of the birds (whose art unerring
and prophetic skill of ear and mind divines their utterance without the
lore of fire interpreted) Foretelleth, by the mastery of his art, that now
an onset of Achaea’s host is by council of the night designed to fall in
double strength upon our walls.”
Summary: Eteocles is telling the people of an impending attack on
their city as foretold to him by a seer.
Comprehension Question: What was foretold by the seer?
Vocabulary Question: “Nor hold too heinous a respect for Hordes
sent on you from afar: some god will guard!”
In the Quote above, the word heinous most closely means:
A) Horrifying
B) Admirable
C) Rational
D) Unobtrusive
Predictive Question: Do you think the city will be able to defend
itself?
Ethical Question: Is it right for Eteocles to cause a wave of panic to
the people by delivering this message?
Cell 3
Quote: “Eteocles, high king of Cadmus’ folk, I stand here with news
certified and sure from Argos’ camp, things by myself descried, Seven
warriors yonder, doughty chiefs of might, into crimsoned concave shed
a bull’s blood.”
Summary: A spy/ Scout enters with news that an army led by seven
commanders is just outside the walls and is preparing for battle.
Comprehension Question: Does the spy/scout come bearing good or
bad news?
Vocabulary Question: “Not here we tarry and wail”
In the quote above, the word tarry most closely means:
A) To delay
B) To finish
C) To squirm
D) To carry on
Predictive Question: Will the seven commanders succeed?
Literary Question: “The dust whirls up and from their planting steeds
white foamy flakes like snow bedew the plain.”
In the quote above, the literary device being used is:
A) Euphony
B) Alliteration
C) Imagery
D) Metaphor
Cell 4
Quote: “O Zeus and Earth and city guarding gods, and thou my
father’s curse, of baneful might, spare ye at least thee town, nor root
it up, by the violence of the foemen, stock and stem! For here, from
home and hearth, rings hella’s tongue. Forbid that ever yoke of slavery
should bow this land of freedom, Cadmus’ hold! Be ye her help! Your
cause I plead with mine- A city saved doth honor to her gods!”
Summary: Eteocles is praying to Zeus for his favor in the battle to
come and to protect his city.
Comprehension Question: Why does Eteocles pray to Zeus?
Vocabulary Question: “And seven chieftains of war, with spear and
with panoply bold, are set, by the law of lot, to storm the seven gates
of our hold.”
In the quote above, the word panoply most closely means:
A) Something that covers and protects
B) Array of colors
C) Ceremonial attire
D) Weaponry
Predictive Question: Do you think that Zeus will help Eteocles? Why
or why not?
Associative Question: Do people still pray before going to battle in
wars happening today?
Cell 5
Quote: “Look you now- your flying feet, and rumor of your fears, have
spread a soulless panic on our walls, and they without due go from
strength to strength, and we within breach upon ourselves.”
Summary: A chorus of Theban women begins to comment about the
battle that is coming and Eteocles responds to them saying that they
are the reason for the spread of panic upon the men.
Comprehension Question: Why is Eteocles angry with the women?
Vocabulary Question: “O gods and O sisters of gods, our bulwark
and guard! We beseech that ye give not our war-worn hold to a rabble
of alien speech!”
In the quote above, the word bulwark most closely means:
A) Opening
B) Barrier
C) Weakness
D) Rumble
Predictive Question: Do you think the men will still fight?
Ethical Question: Was it right of the women to scare the men right
before the battle?
Seven Against Thebes
Cell #1 – “First Signs of War”
CHORUS
Ah, but I fled to the shrines, I called to our helpers on high,
When the stone-shower roared at the portals!
I sped to the temples aloft, and loud was my call and my cry,
Look down and deliver, Immortals!
An announcement that helps and supports is needed. Now that there
are signs of a close war. This message is spread loud and clear
throughout the city warning the population of a soon encounter.
1) What is the meaning of this quote?
2) Is it right to ask for help the way that it is asked here?
3) What would probably happen if help were not achieved by the
time this war begins?
4) What does portals mean?
A) Ocean
C.) Main entrance
B) Furniture
D.) Soldiers
Seven Against Thebes
Cell #2 – “Desired Men”
ETEOCLES
Let men with sacrifice and augury
Approach the gods, when comes the tug of war:
Alaids must be silent and abide within.
Eteocles is saying that men who are full of will and sacrifice should be
the ones approaching the gods and not be afraid when the roughness
and obstacles start to cross in their paths. He makes it clear that
during this war, men should always be obedient and even tolerate with
other or themselves in order to achieve a goal.
1) Who is talking thought this quote?
2) Do you think this situation can be compared to Bush and his
army? If so, how?
3) How is “the tug of war” used in this quote?
4) What does augry mean?
A) Place for Worship
B) Art of divination
C) Extreme sorrow
D) Strength
Seven Against Thebes
Cell #1 – “Tydeus vs. Melanippus”
THE SPY
…But Tydeus, mad with lust of blood and broil,
Like to a cockatrice at noontide hour,
Hisses out wrath and smites with scourge of tongue
The prophet-son of Oecleus-Wise thou art,
Faint against war, and holding back from death!
The spy announces the first battle between Tydeus and Melanippus.
1.) Who fought in the first battle? Who won?
2.) Who would most likely win the first battle? Why?
3.) How are Tydeus and President Bush alike based on the spy’s
description of Tydeus?
4.) “Like to a cockatrice at noontide hour”
In the quote above, cockatrice most closely mean:
A) A serpent that can kill by a glance
C) a gangster
that sings
B) A spider with 7 legs
D) a cockroach with 2 legs
Seven Against Thebes
Cell #2 – “May the Gods Give Fortune Fair”
CHORUS chanting
Then may the gods give fortune fair
Unto our chief, sent forth to dare
War's terrible arbitrament!
But ah! when champions wend away,
I shudder, lest, from out the fray,
Only their blood-stained wrecks be sent!
The Chorus is chanting and pleading for the help from the gods, but at
the same time, is afraid of defeat.
1) What is the Chorus fear of?
2) Is it honorable to fear defeat? Why or why not?
3) Will the Chorus’ prayer help the fight? If so, who would most
likely win?
4) “I shudder, lest, from out the fray,”
In the quote above, shudder most closely mean:
A) To tremble with anxiety
C) to tremble with fear
B) To tremble with love
D) to tremble with pride
Seven Against Thebes
Cell #3 – “Capaneus and a bolt flame”
THE SPY
Nay, let him pass, and the gods' help be his!
Next, Capaneus comes on, by lot to lead
The onset at the gates Electran styled:
A giant be, more huge than Tydeus' self,
And more than human in his arroganceMay fate forefend his threat against our walls!
The spy announces Capaneus for the second gate.
1) How does the spy describe Capaneus?
2) What would probably happen to Capaneus?
“And more than human in his arrogance-“
3) In the quote above, arrogance most closely mean:
A) Overbearing pride
C) modesty
B) Ignorance
D) humility
4) Which of the following literary device is used in the quote above?
A) Aporia
C) amphiboly
B) Aposiopesis
D) analogue
Seven Against Thebes
Cell #4 – “Hippomedon versus Hyperbius”
THE SPY
Lo, next him stands a fourth and shouts amain,
By Pallas Onca's portal, and displays
A different challenge; 'tis Hippomedon!
Huge the device that starts up from his targe
In high relief; and, I deny it not,
I shuddered, seeing how, upon the rim,
It made a mighty circle round the shieldNo sorry craftsman he, who wrought that work
And clamped it all around the buckler's edge!
The spy announces Hippomedon for the fourth battle against
Hyperbius.
1) Who are fighting in the fourth battle?
2) Who would most likely win? Why?
3) “No sorry craftsman he, who wrought that work”
Identify the part of speech of each word in the quote above.
4) “Lo, next him stands a fourth and shouts amain”
In the quote above, amain most closely mean:
A) To lower a sail
C) with might or force; vigorously
B) To surrender
D) to wash a car
Seven Against Thebes
Cell #5 - “ Parthenopaeus versus Actor”
THE SPY
In name, not mood, is he a maiden's childParthenopaeus; large and bright his eyes
But fierce the wrath wherewith he fronts the gate:
Yet not unheralded he takes his stand
Before the portal; on his brazen shield,
The rounded screen and shelter of his form,
I saw him show the ravening Sphinx, the fiend
That shamed our city-how it glared and moved,
Clamped on the buckler, wrought in high relief!
The spy announces Parthenopaeus for the fifth battle against Actor.
1) Who are fighting in the fifth battle?
2) Who would most likely die? Why?
3) Identify the part of speech of each word in the following quote:
“I saw him show the ravening Sphinx, the fiend “
4) “Before the portal; on his brazen shield”
In the quote above, brazen shield most closely mean:
A) Shield with a loud, resonant sound shield
B) Quiet, flexible shield
C) A cautious shield
D) Unobtrusive shield
Seven Against Thebes
Cell #6 – “The Finale”
THE SPY
Fronting the sixth gate stands another foe,
Wisest of warriors, bravest among seersSuch must I name Amphiaraus: he,
Set steadfast at the Homoloid gate,
Berates strong Tydeus with reviling wordsThe man of blood, the bane of state and home
To Argos, arch-allurer to all ill,
Evoker of the Fury-fiend of hell,
Death's minister, and counsellor of wrong
Unto Adrastus in this fatal field.
Ay, and with eyes upturned and mien of scorn
He chides thy brother Polyneices to
At his desert, and once and yet again
Dwells hard and meaningly upon his name
Where it saith glory yet importeth feud.
The spy announces Amphiaraus, the bravest among seers, for the
sixth battle against Lasthenes.
1) Who are fighting in the sixth battle? Who is the bravest among
seers?
2) What are the outcomes of the finale?
3) Is it fair to make the bravest, and strongest fight someone at a
lower level of strength?
4) “He chides thy brother Polyneices to…”
In the quote above, chides most closely mean:
A) To brag
C) to honor
B) To scold
D) to dance
Cell 1
Quote: The Spy- “Last, let me name yon seventh antagonist, thy
brother’s self, at the seventh portal set-hear with what wrath he
imprecates our doom, vowing to mount the wall, though banished
hence, and peal aloud the wild exulting cry- the town is ta’en then
clash his sword with thine,”
Summary: The spy says that seven generals along with Eteocles’
brother are declaring war with him. The spy says that Eteocles’ brother
said he will kill him during this war.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Who will kill whom?
In the quote above the word antagonist most closely means…
Would you ever fight your brother?
Who do you think will win?
Cell 2
Quote: Eteocles- “Ah me, the madman, and the curse of Heaven and
woe for us, the lamentable line of Oedipus, and woe that in this house
our father’s curse must find accomplishment! But now, a truce to tears
and loud lament, lest they should breed a still more rueful wail! As for
this Polyneices, named too well, soon shall we know how this device
shall end-”
Summary: Eteocles said that hopefully his father’s curse does not
happen. He wants to win the war and kill his brother. Eteocles said he
would also take the throne from him at war.
1.
2.
3.
4.
What does Eteocles want to take from his brother?
In the quote above the word rueful most closely means…
Why would a father put a curse on his own son?
Would his father’s curse come true or will he win the throne?
Cell 3
Quote: Eteocles- “If man find hurt, yet clasp his honor still, ‘tis well;
the dead have honour, nought beside. Hurt, with dishonour, wins no
word of praise!”
Summary: Eteocles says the dead men have as much honor as hut
men have and that is what wins wars.
1. According to Eteocles do dead men have honor?
2. In the quote above the word honor most closely means…
3. Do you think someone that dies for his or her country has
honor?
4. Around how many men will die?
Cell 4
Quote: Eteocles- “Ay, kindled by the curse of Oedipus- all too
prophetic, out of dreamland came the vision, meeting out our sire’s
estates!”
Summary: Eteocles is saying that his father curse was all nonsense.
He is saying that Oedipus was just saying anything.
1.
2.
3.
4.
What does Eteocles think of the curse?
In the quote above the word prophetic most closely means…
Have you ever put a curse on someone? Why?
Do you think Eteocles will start getting more worried about the
curse?
Cell 5
Quote: Leader-“Go not thou forth to guard the seventh gate!”
Eteocles-“Words shall not blunt the edge of my resolve.”
Leader-“Yet the god loves to let the weak prevail.”
Eteocles-“That to a swordsman is no welcome word!
Leader-“Shall thine own brother’s blood be victory’s palm?”
Eteocles-“I’ll which the gods have sent thou canst no-shun.”
Summary: The leader tells Eteocles to go guard the gate. Eteocles
says that no word would change the fact that he will win and get the
throne from his brother. The leader then asks him if he will kill his
brother for victory.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Where is Eteocles going to guard?
In the quote above the word blunt most closely means…
What will you do talk over the problem or fight?
What will happen next?
Seven Against Thebes Cell #1 page 11
CHORUS:
But when, in the fulness of days, he knew of his bridal unblest,
A twofold horror he wrought, in the frenzied despair of his breastDebarred from the grace of the banquet, the service of goblets of gold
He flung on his children a curse for the splendour they dared to
withhold.
Summary
Here the chorus is talking about the curse Oedipus placed on both his
sons for the “splendour they dared to with hold”
Questions
Who cursed whom?
In the quote what is meat by “the splendour they dared to with hold”?
How would someone in present time deal with another person refusing
to give them power??
What literature device is used in this quote: “Debarred from the grace
of the banquet”
a. simile
b. personification
c. metaphor
d. hyperbole
Seven Against Thebes Cell #2
THE SPY
Take heart, ye daughters whom your mothers' milk
Made milky-hearted! lo, our city stands,
Saved from the yoke of servitude: the vaunts
Of overweening men are silent now,
And the State sails beneath a sky serene,
Nor in the manifold and battering waves
Hath shipped a single surge, and solid stands
The rampart, and the gates are made secure,
Each with a single champion's trusty guard.
So in the main and at six gates we hold
A victory assured; but, at the seventh,
The god that on the seventh day was born,
Royal Apollo, hath ta'en up his rest
To wreak upon the sons of Oedipus
Their grandsire's wilfulness of long ago.
Summary
A spy enters with news about the battle. He says that six of the seven
gates of Thebes are now safe, but at the seventh gate something has
happened the two sons of Oedipus.
Questions
Who enters the room with news from the battle at Thebes
How many of the gates of Thebes are now safe?
a. 3
b. 6
c. 7
d. 0
What the heck does “ta’en” mean?
What do you think happen to the two sons of Oedipus based on his
curse he out on them?
Seven Against Thebes Cell # 3
THE SPY
Yea, blotting out the lineage ill-starred!
Now mix your exultation and your tears,
Over a city saved, the while its lords,
Twin leaders of the fight, have parcelled out
With forged arbitrament of Scythian steel
The full division of their fatherland,
And, as their father's imprecation bade,
Shall have their due of land, a twofold grave.
So is the city saved; the earth has drunk
Blood of twin princes, by each other slain.
Summary
The spy is say to the chorus that they should be both happy and sad.
While the city of Thebes has been saved the two brothers have fought
and killed each other just as their father had prophesized!! The chorus
is devastated and proceeds to grieve over the fate of Laius
descendants.
Questions
What news does the spy have??
Who kills whom???
Is it really possible for two people to kill each other at the same time
like Etocles and Polyneices did?
Do you think that it is just coincidence that the brother killed each
other over the kingdom or is it really Oedipus’ curse?
Seven Against Thebes Cell #4
CHORUS
Look up, look yonder! from the home
Antigone, Ismene come,
On the last, saddest errand bound,
To chant a dirge of doleful sound,
With agony of equal pain
Above their brethren slain!
Their sister-bosoms surely swell,
Heart with rent heart according well
In grief for those who fought and fell!
Yet-ere they utter forth their woe
We must awake the rueful strain
To vengeful powers, in realms below,
And mourn hell's triumph o'er the slain!
Summary
Antigone and Ismene the sisters of the dead enter with a train of
mourners with the bodies of Etocles and Polyneices. The chorus is
swept by emotions.
Questions
Who enters the room along with the bodies of the two dead brothers?
What does “o'er” mean?
Would you be really sad if both of your brothers died on the same day?
Would it have been as bad if they didn’t kill each other?
Is the funeral similar to those that occur today?
Seven Against Thebes Cell # 5
CHORUS
Children of bitterness, and sternly braveOne, proud of heart against persuasion's voice,
One, against exile proof! ye win your choiceEach in your fatherland, a separate grave!
Alack, on house and heritage
They brought a baneful doom, and death for wage!
One strove through tottering walls to force his way,
One claimed, in bitter arrogance, the sway,
And both alike, even now and here,
Have closed their suit, with steel for arbiter!
And lo, the Fury-fiend of Oedipus, their sire,
Hath brought his curse to consummation dire
Each in the left side smitten, see them laidThe children of one womb,
Slain by a mutual doom!
SUMMARY
The chorus now begins to speak to the brothers. They compare the
two and believe all these horrible things are due to the curse their
father has placed in them. Then they talk about how the land mourns
their death and that they all have the right to cry. And they go on and
on about the bitter fighting between the two over the kingdom.
QUESTIONS
Who starts to talk about the death of the two brothers?
Who does the chorus blame for all of the things that have happened?
What does arrogance mean?
a. overbearing pride
b. being dumb
c. smelling good
d. crunchy
Regarding the situation between the two brothers, whom would you
consider the “good guy”?
Seven Against Thebes
Cell #3 – “Stay Calm for our good and the good of everyone!”
ETEOCLES
Then, if thou hearest, hear them not too well
LEADER
Hark, the earth rumbles, as they close us round!
ETEOCLES
Enough if I am here, with plans prepared.
LEADER
Alack, the battering at the gates is loud!
ETEOCLES
Peace! stay your tongue, or else the town may hear!
LEADER
O warders of the walls, betray them not!
ETEOCLES
Beshrew your cries! in silence face your fate.
Eteocles is speaking with the leader of the chorus and they are
discussing this future war that is approaching them quickly. Eteocles
tells him not to be afraid and that he is prepared with same plans. The
leader responds in horror about the noise that is surrounding them.
Eteocles thinks and speaks with a clear mind therefore tells him to
quiet down and not alarm the rest of the population near them.
1) how did this dialogue influence the different ways of seeing this
war? (Eteocles/Leader of the chorus)
2) What would probably happen if Eteocles does not encourage this
leader of chorus to go on with the procedure of war and to quiet
down?
3) Is it right to start to prepare an army to fight for his throne that
he was supposed to share?
4) What does warden mean?
A) document
B) insect
C) nest
D) a person that guards (chief)
Seven Against Thebes
Cell #4 – “Have Faith and Pray”
TEOCLES
I take that word as wiser than the rest.
Nay, more: these images possess thy willPray, in their strength that Heaven be on our side!
Then hear my prayers withal, and then ring out
The female triumph-note, thy privilegeYea, utter forth the usage Hellas knows,
The cry beside the altars, sounding clear
Encouragement to friends, alarm to foes.
Basically, in this quote, Eteocles has achieved in convincing the leader
of the chorus not to fear their future but to be brave and count in
prayer that it’ll be on their side and will prepare them. This is known
by Greece as an encouragement to friends but an alarm for enemies.
1.) What is Eteocles suggesting everyone should do?
2.) Is it right to Eteocles is counting in prayer as one of his essential
plans?
3.) How can a “cry beside the altars” be an encouragement to
friends but can be an alarm to enemies?
4.) What does withal mean in the quote: “then weak my prayers
withal”?
A) Then hear my prayers please
B) Then wear my prayers only
C) Then hear my prayers besides
D) Then weak my prayers proudly
Seven Against Thebes
Cell #5 – “Eteocles soon departure”
Eteocles
But I will back, and, with six chosen men
Myself the seventh, to confront the foe
In this great aspect of a poised war,
Return and plant them at the sevenfold gates,
Or e'er the prompt and clamorous battle-scouts
Haste to inflame our counsel with the need.
Here, Eteocles is saying that he will soon be back but with six other
men making him the seventh. He wants to face his enemy with a fair
war and place them at the sevenfold gates or the punctual and lous
scouts rapidly would excite the counsel with the need.
1.) how many men is Eteocles trying to recruit?
2.) Is it right that Eteocles thinks of this war as a poised war?
3.) What would probably happen if the enemy is confronted any
other way except fairly?
4.) “hate to infame” is most closely mean:
A) proud to inform
B) quick to excite
C) happy to change
D) encouraged to explain
Cell 1- Mourning
Seven Against Thebes
Page 13
*Quote- ANTIGONE, ISMENE, and the CHORUS
O dark were the sorrows
That exile hath known!
He slew, but returned not
Alive to his own!
He struck down a brother, but fell, in the moment of triumph hewn
down!
O lineage accurst,
O doom and despair!
Alas, for their quarrel,
The brothers that were!
And woe! for their pitiful end, who once were our love and our care!
*Summary- Antigone and Ismene chant a sad song about the death of
their brothers, Polyneices and Eteocles, who had died in battle. Then
the chorus joins them in their dirge.
*Comprehension Question- What are Antigone and Ismene doing?
*Associative Question- Do people today sing songs over a loved one’s
death?
*Predictive Question- What would happen if someone else joined the
dirge?
*Literary Device Question- What literary device is used in the following
sentence?
“For why? he hated those who hated us, and, with all duties
blamelessly performed unto the sacred ritual of his sires, he met such
end as gains our city's grace,- with auspices that do ennoble death.”
Cell 2- Herald
Seven Against Thebes
Page 13
*Quote- HERALD
I bear command to tell to one and all
What hath approved itself and now is law,
Ruled by the counsellors of Cadmus' town.
For this Eteocles, it is resolved
To lay him on his earth-bed, in this soil,
Not without care and kindly sepulture.
For why? he hated those who hated us,
And, with all duties blamelessly performed
Unto the sacred ritual of his sires,
He met such end as gains our city's grace,With auspices that do ennoble death.
Such words I have in charge to speak of him:
But of his brother Polyneices, thisBe he cast out unburied, for the dogs
To rend and tear: for he presumed to waste
The land of the Cadmeans, had not HeavenSome god of those who aid our fatherlandOpposed his onset, by his brother's spear,
To whom, tho' dead, shall consecration come!
Against him stood this wretch, and brought a horde
Of foreign foemen, to beset our town.
He therefore shall receive his recompense,
Buried ignobly in the maw of kites-
No women-wailers to escort his corpse
Nor pile his tomb nor shrill his dirge anewUnhouselled, unattended, cast away
So, for these brothers, doth our State ordain.
*Summary- A herald (also known as a messenger) enters and delivers
Creon’s decree that says Eteocles will be given a hero’s burial, but
Polyneices must be left unburied so vicious animals can tear out his
flesh.
*Comprehension Question- What will happen to Eteocles and
Polyneices?
*Vocabulary Question- What does the word consecration in the
following quote most closely means?
“To whom, tho’ death, shall consecration come!”
a. Secretion
b. Concretion
c. Sanctification
d. Creation
*Associative Question- Referring to Creon’s decree, has any presentday political leaders done anything similar?
*Grammar Question- Identify the part of speech of each word in the
following quote:
“I charge thee, not to flout the city's law!”
Cell 3- Verbal Sparring Match
Seven Against Thebes
Page 14
*Quote- HERALD Stern is a people newly 'scaped from death.
ANTIGONE Whet thou their sternness! burial he shall have.
HERALD How? grace of burial, to the city's foe?
ANTIGONE God hath not judged him separate in guilt.
*Summary- Antigone decides that her brother deserves a proper
burial. Forbidding it, the herald begins a verbal sparring match,
arguing about Antigone’s decision.
*Vocabulary Question- What does the word whet in the following quote
nearly mean?
“Whet thou their sternness! burial he shall have.”
a. Sharpen
b. Wheat
c. Wet
d. Remove
*Associative Question- Referring to Antigone, do people still defend
their sibling’s in today’s society?
*Grammar Question- Identify the subject, verbs, and objects of each
clause in the following quote:
“God hath not judged him separate in guilt.”
*Literary Device Question- What literary device is used in the quote
above?
Cell 4- The Second Round
Seven Against Thebes
Page 14
*Quote- HERALD True-till he put this land in jeopardy.
ANTIGONE His rights usurped, he answered wrong with wrong.
HERALD Nay-but for one man's sin he smote the State.
ANTIGONE Contention doth out-talk all other gods!
Prate thou no more-I will to bury him.
HERALD Will, an thou wilt! but I forbid the deed.
The HERALD goes out.
*Summary- The herald and Antigone continue to argue about the
decree. Herald talks about Polyneices bad qualities, while Antigone
tries to defend her dead brother. At the end of their discussion,
Antigone has her mind set on having a proper ceremony for Polyneices
even though it went against the herald’s wishes.
*Comprehension Question- Why did Antigone and the herald start to
quarrel?
*Ethical Question- If one isn’t given a proper burial ceremony, is that
considered immoral? Why or why not?
*Associative Question- Compare the herald’s decision to sway toward
Creon’s decree with a similar present-day occurrence?
*Predictive Question- What would’ve happened if the herald gave in
and decided to side with Antigone?
Cell 5- The Singing Chorus
Seven Against Thebes
Page 14
*Quote- CHORUS (singing)
Exulting Fates, who waste the line
And whelm the house of Oedipus!
Fiends, who have slain, in wrath condign,
The father and the children thus!
What now befits it that I do,
What meditate, what undergo?
*Summary- The chorus mourns this new problem, which seems to
cause more tribulations within the house of Oedipus. As they sing, the
chorus contemplates as to which side is the right one by singing about
Polyneices and Eteocles’ good and bad qualities.
*Comprehension Question- What did the chorus do?
*Associative Question- When someone dies, especially someone close,
what does one do?
*Predictive Question- What will the chorus do next?
*Literary Device Question- What literary device was used in the quote
above?
Cell 6- Picking Sides
Seven Against Thebes
Page 14
*Quote- CHORUS (singing)
Can I the funeral rite refrain,
Nor weep for Polyneices slain?
But yet, with fear I shrink and thrill,
Presageful of the city's will!
Thou, O Eteocles, shalt have
Full rites, and mourners at thy grave,
But he, thy brother slain, shall he,
With none to weep or cry Alas,
To unbefriended burial pass?
Only one sister o'er his bier,
To raise the cry and pour the tearWho can obey such stern decree?
SEMI-CHORUS
Let those who hold our city's sway
Wreak, or forbear to wreak, their will
On those who cry, Ah, well-a-day!
Lamenting Polyneices still!
We will go forth and, side by side
With her, due burial will provide!
*Summary- Half of the chorus sides with Polyneices and joins Antigone
in a funeral line to illegally bury him, while the other half of the chorus
follows the official burial of Eteocles.
*Comprehension Question- Who sided with Polyneices?
*Associative Question-Referring to the actions of the chorus, is this
likely to happen today? Explain.
*Literary Device Question- What literary device was used in the quote
above?
*Predictive Question- What would happen if the herald decides to stop
Antigone’s plan to give Polyneices a proper burial?