Antigone Packet
Lesson 1: Prologue- Scene 2
Discussion Questions for Prologue and Parados:
1.
Teiresias is a blind prophet. How important might the detail of the prophet's blindness be
to the story?
It’s ironic because he can’t see, but he can see the future.
2.
How are Antigone and Ismene contrasted in the first lines of the play?
Antigone know what’s going on, and Ismene doesn’t
3.
In line 36, what does this statement reveal about Antigone?
She sees herself as strong.
4.
In one sentence, express Ismene's argument against aiding Antigone as she explains it in
lines 37-53.
As a woman, she cannot go against the rules of a man. The punishment would be too
harsh.
5.
In verbal irony, what is said is the opposite of what is meant. Where does Antigone use
verbal irony with Ismene?
When she tells Ismene ”You have yourself to consider, after all”
6.
In the Parados, Polyneices is compared to an animal. What animal is it, and how does
this metaphor make you feel about Polyneices?
A wild eagle screaming insults. He’s savage and wild.
7.
Which of Antigone's last lines are meant to produce the most emotional effect?
“it will not be the worst death—death without honor”
8.
What hopes for the future does the Chorus express?
That they are done with war and violence for a while
9.
How does the Parodos differ in tone and content from the Prologue?
There’s more hope for the future in the parados.
Background for Scene 1 and Ode 1:
Discussion Questions for Scene 1 and Ode 1:
1.
In Creon's first words to the Chorus, what were the "storms" that threatened to destroy the
Ship of State?
Polyneices and the army attacking them.
2.
What reasons does Creon give for not allowing Polyneices to be buried?
He’s a traitor for attacking the city.
3.
How does the arrival of the Sentry affect this scene?
Add suspense to know what he has to say.
4.
What news is the Sentry reluctant to deliver?
Some one has sprinkled dirt to bury Polyneices.
5.
How does the Sentry's announcement (there is evidence that Creon's command has been
disobeyed) affect the action of the plot?
Adds suspense to see how Creon will react to being defied.
6.
Retell the order of events of the Sentry's story in lines 79-113.
Someone fell asleep. When they awoke someone had buried Polyneises. They threw dice
to see who would bring the news.
Discussion Questions for Scene 2 and Ode 2:
1.
2.
3.
4.
What does the Sentry compare Antigone to when she discovers that Polyneices’ corpse
has been unburied? How does this simile make you feel about Antigone? A mother bird
coming back to a stripped nest. Makes you feel sorry and see her pain.
Why do you think Ismene changes her mind about her brother’s burial? She realizes she
should have helped. She realizes that she’ll be alone without Antigone. Do you think
Antigone is justified in rejecting Ismene’s support, or is she being too hard on her sister?
Explain.
According to Ode 2, “God’s vengeance” looms over the House of Oedipus. What human
fault does the Chorus say is responsible for this “curse of heaven”? Pride
So far in the play, which characters have shown that they have this fault? Explain.
Antigone and Creon—Explain.
Discussion Questions for Scene 3 and Ode 3:
1. In this scene, Creon withstands a powerful assault on his thinking. Who makes the attack, and
what effect does it have on Creon? Haimon. It makes Creon even angrier
2. In line 31, Creon says that Antigone will probably plead “family ties” to avoid being punished for
breaking the law. How has Creon completely misjudged Antigone’ character? She does not ask
for leniency. She is doing what she thinks is right for these very family ties.
3.
4.
5.
6.
What metaphors does Haimon use to argue that Creon should be more flexible?Like a tree he must
bend so that he does not break.
Why do you think Creon changes his mind about how to punish Antigone? To win his son back
How can he believe that he can absolve himself, or the state, or her death?Because it won’t be by
his hands that she dies—but by the very gods she’s trying to uphold.
At this point in the play, what do you think of Haimon’s threat in line 124? suicide Do you think
he is serious, or do you think he is trying to pressure his father into changing his mind?varies
Ode 3 is a rather bitter commentary on love. Discuss the view of love given in Ode 3. Why does
the Chorus give only one view of love? At this point they see Creon’s side. That love makes a
man turn from his family.
Discussion Questions for Scene 4 and Ode 4:
1. How is Antigone’s tone in this scene different from her tone in earlier scenes? More sorrowful
less angry
2. Beginning at line 25, Antigone accuses the Chorus of laughing at her and denying her “all pity.”
What do you think she means by pity, and how does the Chorus respond to her? They tell her
she’ll be young forever in the afterlife
3. What does Antigone mean in line 41 when she says that her father’s “marriage strikes from the
grave to murder” her own marriage? How does the Chorus argue against this view in lines 45-48?
She wants sympathy for being Oedipus’s daughter, but they say her choices are her downfall
4. In line 71, Antigone asks that Creon’s punishment equal her own. What do you predict will
happen to Creon in the final scene? Why do you think so?
5. In Antigone’s last lines in the scene, what does she ask the gods to remember? How much she has
suffered and who caused it What motives do you think she has for making this public request? So
that the public will act in the place of the gods.
6. In Ode 4, the Chorus alludes to 3 Greek myths. What does Antigone have in common with Danae,
Lycurgos, and Cleopatra? They all had great pride Do you think Sophocles is using this ode to
condemn Antigone for her pride or to praise her courage in accepting her fate? Explain your
opinion?
Discussion Questions for Scene 5, Paean and Exodus:
1. Why do you think Creon finally agrees to free Antigone and bury Polyneices? The chorus
convinces him of Tierisus’s accuracy What lines give clues to his motives?
2. How would you describe the major conflict in Antigone? Laws of man vs. loaws of gods
(morality)
3. At the end of the play, Eurydice blames Creon for the tragic turn of events and Creon accepts her
curse saying, “I alone am guilty” (line 129). What do you think of Creon’s statement of sole
responsibility?
4. “ There is no happiness where there is no wisdom; / No wisdom but in submission to the gods. /
Big words are always punished, / And proud men in old age learn to be wise.” These are the last
words of the play stated directly to the audience. What are your thoughts about these two
sentences? Do you agree or disagree? Is this the way life is or is there another point of view?
Consider who is speaking (Choragus) and what he is trying to say to the audience. What
are the “big words”?