Antigone
Prologue and Parodos
1. Antigone and Ismene are foils, characters who have contrasting or opposing qualities. How would you
characterize each sister? Which qualities foil each other? Which do they have in common?
Antigone
Both
Ismene
2. Why does Antigone feel it is so important for her to bury Polyneices?
3. Antigone uses verbal irony with Ismene. Give two examples in which she does this. How does this
shape our perception of Antigone?
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4. At the end of the Parodos, what hopes for the future does the Chorus express? Do you think these
expectations will be fulfilled? Why, or why not?
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5. In line 54, Antigone says to Ismene, “You have made your choice, you can be what you want to be.” On
what conflict is Antigone commenting? What exactly is she saying Ismene has the right to be? What
might be ironic about this statement?
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6.
In lines 46-47, Ismene says “…We are only women,/We cannot fight with men, Antigone!” Is this an
argument we still hear today? Respond to the quote.
7. What motivates Antigone to break Creon’s law?
8. What motivates Ismene to respect Creon’s law?
9. Do people today have attitudes about the law similar to those of Antigone and Ismene? Give an
example and explain how it relates to the characters’ different opinions.
10. Beside each arrow below, describe briefly what each character wants that puts him or her in conflict
with Antigone.
Ismene
Creon
What does Ismene want that
creates conflict with
Antigone?
What does Creon want
that creates conflict with
Antigone?
Antigone
What does Antigone want?
Antigone
Scene 1 and Ode 1
11. Characterize Creon as a leader. What are his strengths and weaknesses? Are some qualities both
strength and weakness?
Strength
Both
Weakness
12. Why do you think the Choragos does not oppose Creon’s decree? What motive does Creon assign to
those who oppose him?
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13. In line 113, the Choragos asks Creon, “…can it be that the gods have done this?” Why does this
suggestion enrage Creon? What does the suggestion imply?
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14. What is the main idea in the first three stanzas of the Ode?
15. Based on the final stanza of the Ode, why do you think the Chorus supports Creon?
16. In Ode 1, what opinion does the Chorus express about the importance of law in society? Is that opinion
pertinent to our attitude about law today? Explain.
a.
b.
For the following quotations, identify the speaker, explain the situation surrounding the quotation, and explain
the significance of the quotation to the larger work.
“Gentlemen: I have the honor to inform you that our Ship of State, which recent storms have threatened to
destroy, has come safely to harbor at last…”
Speaker:
Situation:
Significance:
“King: can it be that the gods have done this?”
Speaker:
Situation:
Significance:
“When the laws are broken, what of his city then?”
Speaker:
Situation:
Significance:
Antigone
Scene 2 and Ode 2
17. In lines 34-41, the sentry describes Antigone’s reaction to finding that her brother’s body has been
unburied. What type of figurative language is employed in this passage? How does Antigone respond
to being captured?
a.
b.
18. In Line 74, who is the Choragos referring to when he says “Like father, like daughter”? Who is
Antigone’s father?
19. What two crimes does Creon accuse Antigone of committing?
20. Why does Creon accuse Ismene? What is his accusation of her?
21. What is the difference between the accusations against Antigone, and that against Ismene. Discuss this
in terms of what you know about the characters. (3-5 sentences)
22. Why does Ismene confess to helping Antigone? Why does Antigone refuse to allow her to confess? Is
Antigone right in refusing Ismene?
a.
b.
c.
23. What does Ismene reveal about Antigone’s relationship to Creon?
24. In Ode 2, Antistrophe 1, who is meant by “the last flower of Oedipus’ line”? What context clues tell
you the answer?
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For the following quotations, identify the speaker, explain the situation surrounding the quotation, and explain
the significance of the quotation to the larger work.
“But all your strength is weakness itself against the immortal laws of God.”
Speaker:
Situation:
Significance:
“No; Death will do that for me.”
Speaker:
Situation:
Significance:
“No pride on earth is free of the curse of heaven.”
Speaker:
Situation:
Significance:
Antigone
Scene 3 and Ode 3
25. What does Creon believe is the proper behavior of sons toward fathers?
26. What is Creon’s attitude about women?
27. What does Haimon tell Creon about what people are saying? What advice does Haimon give? How
does Creon react?
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28. How is Haimon’s view of what is right similar to Antigone’s view?
29. What does Haimon mean when he says, “But her death will cause another”?
30. What does Creon decide about the fates of Ismene and Antigone? How does this decision absolve him
of reponsibility?
a.
b.
31. What does the Chrous say about love in Ode 3?
Complete the table below by recording what has happened to each character so far, and what you think may
happen to them in the end.
Character
Haimon
Ismene
Creon
Antigone
Already happened
Will happen
Antigone
Scene 4 and Ode 4
32. Antigone alludes to several myths, including that of Niobe. Why does she think of these myths, and
what do they have in common with her situation?
33. In line 52, Antigone states that her death will have “neither love nor lamentation; no song, but silence.”
To what is she referring? (use page 696 for help)
34. What is the theme of Ode 4? What does Antigone have in common with the characters of the myths?
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35. How is Antigone’s tone in this scene different from her tone in earlier scenes? Why do you think her
tone has changed?
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36. Do you agree with Creon that Antigone is responsible for her own death? Explain.
Antigone
Scene 5, Paean, and Exodos
37. What does Teiresias tell Creon he should be able to do? What does Creon accuse him of doing?
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38. What warning does Teiresias give Creon?
39. Why is it ironic that Teiresias is blind?
40. Who finally convinces Creon to change his mind? Why do you think Creon changes his mind?
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41. Summarize the Messenger’s long speech in lines 33-76.
42. Review your predictions from the table on your Scene 3 study guide. Were your predictions accurate?
What turned out differently than you expected?
43. Review the elements of a tragic hero that we discussed before beginning our reading. Who do you think
is the tragic hero of Antigone? Defend your choice.