Frank-English II
Antigone Study Guide
PROLOGUE – Man vs. Man… Antigone/Ismene
1. The action of the play begins immediately with a conflict between Antigone and Ismene. What is the cause of the conflict?
2.
Ismene and Antigone are strongly contrasted in this scene. What can you tell of Antigone's character? Of lsmene's?
SCENE 1 - Man vs. Man… Creon/Sentry
3. What have we learned about Creon before he appears on stage?
4.
What is revealed of Creon's character in this scene? (Remember: characters may reveal their own motives in the
motives they attribute to others.)
5.
What reason does Creon give for his ruling concerning the bodies of Polyneices and Eteocles?
0DE
6. This ode presents a portrait of human existence, its wanders and its limitations. Restate its main idea in your own
words.
7.
How does the ode comment on the problem of the play as it has been developed so far? (What is the conflict and
who is involved?)
SCENE 2 - Man vs. Man… Antigone/Creon
8. What major event has taken place before this scene opens?
9.
How does Antigone defend her actions?
10. Look at the comments of the Choragos in this scene. Does he seem to side with Antigone or with Creon? Explain.
11. How has Ismene changed since we first saw her in the Prologue?
12. How does Antigone treat her?
SCENE 3 - Man vs. Man… Creon/Haimon
13. Haimon is caught in a conflict of loyalties in this scene. What methods and arguments does he use to try to persuade Creon
to change his mind?
14. How does Creon react to Haimon's arguments?
15. What attitudes does Creon seem to take toward women?
16. What function does the Choragos have in this scene?
ODE
17. The first ode was about human strengths and limitations, the second was about fate and the vengeance of the gods.
What is the subject of this ode?
SCENE 4 - Man vs. Self … Antigone with herself
18. What comfort does the Chorus offer Antigone in this scene?
19. As Antigone faces her death, does she seem in any way changed from the way she has been in previous scenes? Explain
your answer.
20. Antigone is not to be stoned to death as originally planned. Why does the form of her punishment suit Creon?
ODE
21. In this ode the Chorus alludes to three Greek myths that were familiar to the ancient Greek audiences.
How are the fates of the characters in these myths related to Antigone's fate?
SCENE 5 - Man vs. Man… Creon/Teiresais
22. Creon has refused to yield to the arguments of Antigone and Haimon, and at first he refuses to listen to Teiresias. Of
what does he accuse Teiresias?
23. Teiresias tells Creon that -the only crime is pride. How has Creon shown that he is guilty of pride?
24. Why does Creon finally give in?
25. What part does the Choragos play in Creon's decision?
26. How has the character of the Chorus (or its leader, the Choragos) changed throughout the play?
EXODUS
27. Violence is certainly a part of Greek drama, but it was never portrayed on-stage. How does Sophocles tell us what
happens to Antigone, Haimon, and Eurydice?
28. How is Teiresias's prophecy from Scene 5 fulfilled in this scene?
29. How has Creon changed since the beginning of the play?
30. What does he finally come to recognize?
THE PLAY AS A WHOLE - Main Conflict: Divine Law (Conscience) vs. Civil Law (Authority)
31. What errors in judgment does Creon make in the play?
32. Discuss the idea of fate as it is expressed in Antigone. Are Antigone and Crew the helpless victims of fate, or do they
freely choose their own destinies? Explain in full.
33. Explain how is the play, Antigone, an allegory for WWII.