March 4-5 Absent work
Bell ringer
Complete page 17-18 of your workbook.
Read Scene 1 through II of Antigone. Answer the following questions:
STANDARD QUESTIONS
Scene 1
12. Define Auspicious
13. Define motif – Concept or element that is repeated in literature, expressed by characters to help develop the
theme.
14. Lines 8-17 – Antigone introduces what motif? Treachery vs. Loyalty
Which lines on the prologue and in this section address this motif? line 14 scene 1 and lines 26-27 of
parodos.
*repetition of the motif helps to reinforce it to the readers.
How might this motif affect the plot?
15. lines 18-30 – What does King Creon think loyalty means/what does he expect from his citizens to show loyalty?
16. Lines 31-42 – According to Creon, why bury Eteocles and not Polyneices?
17. In your opinion, was Eteolcles also a traitor and partially to blame for his and his brother’s death?
18. Who is the antagonist of the story? Why?
19. Look at the picture on page 1075. What qualities does the actor in the photograph project which are consistent
with King Creon’s character?
20. Define reverence. Which lines is it found on?
21. Define impassively: Which lines is it found on?
22. Written response
Write paragraphs in response to each the following questions:
The sentry find himself in the dangerous situation of telling the king bad news. How do you feel toward the sentry
at this point? Why?
Ode I
23. Summarize the message that this choral ode conveys about human beings. How would you relate the ode to the
preceding scene?
Scene II
24. Why is Creon surprised to see Antigone? (Lines 1-2)
25. What did the sentry do when he returned to Polyneices’ body? (lines 22-25)
26. What strange things happened during the sentry’s watch? (lines 27-34)
27. Written response
Write a paragraph in response to the following:
Are there present-day rules or laws you feel are unjust? What laws would you like to see changed, and why? What
are some ways to protest an unjust law?
28. Summarize the actions of lines 25-45.
29. Define insolence. Which line is it found?
30. How does Antigon’s thinking about the gods differ from Creon’s thinking?
31. (Lines 117-130)
What does Creon accuse the sisters of? (127)
How does Ismene respond to his accusation? (130)
How has ismene changed since the beginning of the play? (133-134)
32. What does Antigone’s treatment of her sister reveal about her character? (131-148)
Ode 2
33. What punishment has Creon just ordered for Antigone and Ismene?
34. What do the following metaphors and similes from the ode mean?
Damnation rises behind each child like a wave (lines 3-4)
So lately this last flower of Oedipus’ line/ Drank the sunlight! (lines 10-11)
HONORS QUESTIONS
Scene 1
12. Define Auspicious
13. Define motif – Concept or element that is repeated in literature, expressed by characters to help develop the
theme.
14. Lines 8-17 – Antigone introduces what motif? Treachery vs. Loyalty
Which lines on the prologue and in this section address this motif? line 14 scene 1 and lines 26-27 of
parodos.
*repetition of the motif helps to reinforce it to the readers.
How might this motif affect the plot?
15. lines 18-30 – What does King Creon think loyalty means/what does he expect from his citizens to show loyalty?
16. Lines 31-42 – According to Creon, why bury Eteocles and not Polyneices?
17. In your opinion, was Eteolcles also a traitor and partially to blame for his and his brother’s death?
18. Who is the antagonist of the story? Why?
19. Look at the picture on page 1075. What qualities does the actor in the photograph project which are consistent
with King Creon’s character?
20. Define reverence. Which lines is it found on?
21. Define impassively: Which lines is it found on?
22. Identify and summarize the comic relief in lines 66-140.
23. Written response
Write paragraphs in response to each the following questions:
The sentry find himself in the dangerous situation of telling the king bad news. How do you feel toward the sentry
at this point? Why?
Why is the sentry afraid of telling Creon that somebody put dust on Polyneices’ body?
What does the audience learn about Creon from this interaction with the sentry?
Ode I
24. Summarize the message that this choral ode conveys about human beings. How would you relate the ode to the
preceding scene?
25. Written response
Discuss Sophocles’ use of metaphor and simile in the ode. Consider specific examples, such as lines 9, 13, 15, 16,
and 18. How do these examples of figurative language connect to the theme of the ode in particular and the play in
general?
Scene II
25. Why is Creon surprised to see Antigone? (Lines 1-2)
26. What did the sentry do when he returned to Polyneices’ body? (lines 22-25)
27. What strange things happened during the sentry’s watch? (lines 27-34)
28. View the photograph
What emotions do the actors in the photograph project?
29. Text analysis
How does the Sentry’s speech create sympathy for Antigone? What does he say?
What do lines 43-44 show about Antigone’s character?
How does the sentry feel about turning her in? (lines 47-48)
30. Motif
Discuss the appearance of the motif of Loyalty vs. Treachery in this scene? Remember that the motif is presented
throughout the play and expressed by characters’ actions and traits. (lines 80-84)
31. Theme
(lines 99-102) What is Antigone suggesting about the rule of kings and its effect on citizens?
32. How does Antigon’s thinking about the gods differ from Creon’s thinking?
33. (Lines 117-130)
What does Creon accuse the sisters of? (127)
How does Ismene respond to his accusation? (130)
How has Ismene changed since the beginning of the play? (133-134)
34. What does Antigone’s treatment of her sister reveal about her character? (131-148)
35. Conflict
Ismene reveals that Antigone is engaged to Creon’s son Haemon. What new issues could arise from the conflict
between Antigone and Creon?
Based on evidence from the text what outcomes do you predict are possible?
Ode 2
36. Written response
Write in response to the following questions:
Recall: What punishment has Creon just ordered for Antigone and Ismene?
Analyze: How does the sea imagery in the first verse of the ode underscore the idea that Antigone and Ismene are
doomed?
Synthesize: The first half of the poem refers to the to the house of Oedipus, the second half to the house of Creon.
What does the poem suggest about how the two houses (families) are linked?