Antigone Study guide
What is the one thing that man cannot protect himself from?
Death
Creon says, "And the man who dared do this?" (line 77). This would be an example of what? Why?
Dramatic irony, because it's Antigone who has broken the law and she is a woman.
How do the stage directions at the bottom of page 1076 help build the characterization of the Sentry?
Fumbling with words; stuttering a bit; having a hard time being in Creon's presence. Creon is rude and accusing Sentry of word-doing.
The Choragus suggests that the gods have possibly buried Polyneices. What reason would the gods have for burying Polyneices?
God's laws state that all the dead deserve to be buried and honored; it pleases the gods and allows for the soul to be at peace in afterlife.
What does Ismene reveal in line 154?
Haemon and Antigone planned on getting married.
Looking back at the beginning of the scene (lines 8-10), why do you think Haemon chose these words as his first ones in talking to his father? What was Haemon trying to accomplish and how does this characterize him further?
Haemon attempt to charismatically ease his father into a conversation regarding Antigone. He tried to have his father reasonably rethink his actions.
Theme: Reread lines 55-60. . How do Haemon's views of government differ from Creon's?
Haemon's loves Antigone, and he has completely different views from Creon, but he also loves his dad.
Why does Creon decide to ignore family ties?
He believes that even though Antigone is family, she went against him. By going against his word, Creon thinks she should be killed.
In what ways has Creon changed his mind by the end of the scene?
He decided not to brutally kill Antigone
Character . How has Haemon's demeanor change through the scene?
He sees his father as tyrannical and dishonorable
. Why does Haemon remind Creon that "Nothing is closer to him than [Creon's] happiness (line 70).
He wants his father to understand that he does love and respect him even though he disagrees with what should happen to antigone.
Theme: Reread lines 35-44. What are Creon's views about government and his role as king?
He's very important, and people should respect his headship and to do what he says.
Conflict How does Creon's perception of women contribute to his conflict with Antigone?
His perception of women fuels his pride which disallows him to show any weakness or understanding to Antigone.
How has Antigone's tone changed from previous scenes? Explain.
How has Antigone's tone changed from previous scenes? Explain.
How has the motif of treachery versus loyalty affected events? Who is loyal and who is treacherous at this point in the play?
How has the motif of treachery versus loyalty affected events? Who is loyal and who is treacherous at this point in the play?
What does Creon fear breaking his word? (line 27)
In line 27 Creon is basically saying if someone (Antigone) breaks his word he will kill her.
Describe Creon's response to the Choragus and his suggestion?
Insulting and very rude; he sees himself equivalent of the gods if not above the gods.
Upon her entrance to the scene, what does Ismene try to do? Why? How has she changed?
Ismene tried to share the blame with her sister unlike the beginning where she betrayed her and said she as doing wrong.
How does the fourth stanza relate to the drama so far?
It relates because the fourth stanza talks about evil, and the breaking of laws and government rule which has already showed.
Why is it significant that someone broke the law? How does it impact his ability to lead?
It shows Creon's true personality towards his country and how he acts towards someone when they break his law.
How does the sentry's speech create sympathy for Antigone?
It shows how helpless and sad she was that her family pride and upper class has been severed.
Reread lines 57-72. What does Antigone believe is the supreme law? What is her attitude towards death?
It shows that the law of the god is the true law
What new issues could arise from the conflict between Antigone and Creon.
Knowing that Antigone and Haemon planned on getting married, Creon and Antigone could battle for "authority" over Haemon.
Protagonist
Main character in a story
What does the first stanza say about man? What has he been able to conquer?
Man is the most wonderful of all worlds wonders and man was able to conquer the seas.
What is man able to master in the third stanza?
Master the elements and finding ways to survive the elements the world will throw their way.
. What does Creon believe will motivate a person to break the his recent edict?
Money or taking monetary bribes.
According to Creon's speech, what deserves the highest loyalty?
On Scene 1 line 30 Creon says that the country deserves the highest loyalty.
Read lines 14-15 What type of figurative language is being used? What does it add to the passage?
Personification is used in lines 14-15
Antigone: You are alive, but I belong to death (line 147). Creon: No; death will do that for me (line 160). Creon: When they see death coming (line 164). During the discussion between Creon and Antigone, there are several references to death. What literary device is being used? Why?
Personification is used to show that death has authority over everyone, even those with power.
Figurative Language and Theme In flood time you can see how some trees bend, And because they bend, even their twigs are safe, While stubborn trees are torn up, roots and all. And the same thing happens in sailing: Make your sheet fast, never slacken—and over you go, Head over heels and under: and there's your voyage. (lines 85) What type of figurative language is being used? Explain its use.
Personification, it gave human adjectives to a tree. Metaphor, saying what a tree is.
How would you characterize the Sentry in this passage? lines 58-65
Reluctant to speak with Creon, but knows he needs to tell him what has become the dead body; fearful for his life.
How do you judge the way Antigone accepts her death?
She is brave. Usually people are afraid to die, but she accepted her fate Does Antigone ever come to recognize her error? Explain.
Reread lines 78-101. Summarize the story the sentry tells Creon. What does the story suggest about Creon? How do you know?
Soldiers were on watch and fell asleep; after they woke up they noticed someone had already attempted to bury Polyneices (few bits of dust) on top of the body. Creon may not have everyone's trust in leading Thebes; is acting paranoid and is accusatory towards Sentry and his actions.
How does Creon's response characterize him further?
That he is god and his ruling is the final judgment for all to follow and it's supreme.
Summarize the explanation the Sentry gives Creon upon the capture of Antigone. Lines 21-49.
The Sentry capture her by standing guard near the body until a massive storm appears and once the storm disappears they find Antigone trying to bury her brother.
What does the Choragus admit to at the beginning of the scene?
The choragus is sad that creon is taking antigone to die.
How does the chorus view Polyneices?
The chorus view Polyneices as a traitor because of his betrayal to his country.
Creon's speech uses an extended metaphor in lines 8-14. Explain the extended metaphor
The extended metaphor was used to explain the entire ruling and how the entire land has become to respect and be loyal to all leaders at which he believes should stay true but he uses this to tell the people the issue of Polyneices versus Eteocles.
Motif: The idea of treachery versus loyalty has appeared several times. How do you think this motif may affect the plot?
The extended metaphor was used to explain the entire ruling and how the entire land has become to respect and be loyal to all leaders at which he believes should stay true but he uses this to tell the people the issue of Polyneices versus Eteocles.
Summarize the message about love in the ode. How does the Ode relate to the exchange between Creon and Haemon?
The first verse discusses how love does not benefit the rich man,creon talks to haemon and tries to convince him that antigone will bring no good to him.
What becomes the focus of the second stanza? What else is man able to conquer?
The focus becomes animals and man is able tame/conquer animals.
Explain the last three lines of the ode. Whom do you think these lines apply to?
The lines mean that fate mostly causes great sorrow to those who let foolishness overcome their lives.They apply to creon and oedipus.
What literary device is being used in lines 35-41. Explain its purpose.
The literary device used in these lines is a metaphor. It explains how helpless Antigone was.
Theme Compare Haemon's words to Creon with Creon's words in Scene 2, beginning "The inflexible heart breaks first..." (line 77, page 1083). What do both speeches suggest about inflexibility?
The one who is inflexible will be the first to break or snap
Reread lines 99-102 What is Antigone suggesting about the rule of kings and its effects on citizens?
The rule of kings is built upon fear, which doesn't allow citizens to speak their mind.
What story is being retold?
The story of Antigone's brothers fighting
How does Polyneices burial compare to Eteocles' burial? Why?
They don't compare because polynecies wasnt buried and etocles was out of spite.
In lines 11-14 and 33-36, how does the chorus view Antigone's punishment for her act of conscience and loyalty?
They find it strange,and unjust,that she will not die from sickness or from battle,but from family loyalty.
Creon tells the Choragus, "You will give no support to whoever breaks this law" (line 54). What does this statement imply?
They will enforce the law every word of it. They are supporting his cause without question.
What does the statement "A fortune won is often misfortune" (line 130) mean?
This basically means that what you get may not come to be what you hoped for in the end, this statement could also be referred to as the statement "Be careful what you wish for you just might get it".
The Sentry says "A man should never be too sure of anything" (7). How does this apply to the Sentry and Creon?
This basically says what you believe is not always true and you shouldn't certain on anything. This applies to the Sentry and Creon because they are too sure they will not see eachother again so soon but they do and that they found who has buried Polyneices.
What does Haemon say he has heard from the people of Thebes?
What does Haemon say he has heard from the people of Thebes?
figurative language
Writing or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid.
Does Antigone ever come to recognize her error? Explain.
Yes, she was aware of the consequences of disobedience to man made laws would lead to her demise
What role did Zeus play in the battle? What motif does this introduce in the play?
Zeus is considered the god of all gods and he assisted in the battle himself. First person to interfere and he continues to interfere.
Stanza
a group of lines forming the basic recurring metrical unit in a poem; a verse.
how would you characterize antigone in lines 14-27
a strong independent and caring woman
. According to the second verse, who gets pleasure form the work of love?
a woman or in this case antigone.
Make a list of noble qualities Antigone possesses, then write down the line numbers from the Prologue that lead you to that conclusion.
determined(69) brave(31) strong(35) caring(33)
Reread lines 8-10. Paraphrase Haemon's response to Creon? What is his tone? How does this characterize Haemon?
haemons tone is outraged and serious, he is in unable to understand why his father sees that burying polyneices is a crime, with the consequence of death.
What does Creon say he expects from a son? What is Creon's view of family relationships?
he believed family relationships aren't as important as the well being of the state. he also believed a son should always be obedient and loyal the their father .
Figurative Language Haemon: Then she must die. But her death will cause another." Creon: Another? Have you lost your senses? Is this an open threat? (lines 119-121) What literary device is used here? What might Haemon mean? And what does Creon think he means?
it is a symbol that creon only ever thinks about himself and how big his hubris is.
Figurative Language Antigone: "Now sleepy death Summons me down to Acheron, that cold shore: There is no bride song there, nor any music" (lines 8-10). What literary devices are used here and to what is it referencing?
it is referencing that she will not get married in the underworld.
. What is the significance of the allusions in scene 4: Acheron (line 9), Niobe (lines 15-20), Dirce (line 28), and Oedipus (line 40).
it is used to draw attention to the fact that these people all have hubris as their hamartia,and antigone can recognize this.
Creon "Tell me, tell me briefly: /Had you heard my proclamation touching this matter?" (lines 53-54) What is significant about this quote? And what does it show about Creon?
it shows that Creon thinks whatever he says should be listened to and followed
According to the first verse, whom does Love conquer and destroy?
love conquers the innocent and kind,love destroys the greedy and power hungry.
According to the second verse, what does Love do to a just man?
love corrupts them but man allows it too.
what edict has creon issued
no one can mourn or bury polynices
Make a list of faults Antigone possesses, then write down the line numbers from the Prologue that lead you to that conclusion.
prideful(35) agressive(77-78)
How would you characterize Ismene throughout the Prologue?
she's a coward and is too afraid to go against the edict
external conflict
struggle between a literary or dramatic character and an outside force such as nature or another character, which drives the dramatic action of the plot
Reread lines 45-48. To what does the chorus attribute Antigone's tragic downfall?
the chorus admits that antigone knew her actions would have consequences and she still continued,they do not oppose the situation.
Classical Drama
the drama of ancient Greece and Rome They think the king should listen to his son because he is sensible, but Haemon should listen to his father out of respect
Personification
the giving of human qualities to an animal, object, or idea
The first half of the poem refers to the house of Oedipus, the second half to the house of Creon. What does the poem suggest about how the two houses are linked?
the poem suggest that both houses share the flaw of hubris being the downfall of each house.
Characterization
the process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character
Theme
the subject of a talk, a piece of writing, a person's thoughts, or an exhibition; a topic.
What does Creon threaten to have done in front of Haemon?
to kill antigone
dramatic irony
when a reader is aware of something that a character isn't
Is Antigone justified in her anger against Ismene? Explain your answer.
yes, because that was their family member
Antigone says that Creon's voice is "like the voice of death" (line 37). Do you think her description is a good characterization of Creon's words and actions?
yes,because creon has power over everyone and makes the final decision.He gets to decide whether she gets to live or die.
How does the sea imagery in the first verse of the ode underscore the idea that Antigone and Ismene are doomed?
"Like a wave cresting out of the black northeast" (line 4), shows they can't escape Creon's wishes or their consequences.
ODE 3 PAGE 1093
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SCENE 3 PAGE 1088
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SCENE 4 PAGE 1094
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Antagonist
A character or force in conflict with the main character
Ode
A lyric poem usually marked by serious, respectful, and exalted feelings toward the subject.
extended metaphor
A metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work.
character
A person in a story Creon wants to kill antigone without getting the actual blame of killing her.He wants to be able to say that he was innocent when antigone would die from starvation.
Motif
A recurring theme, subject or idea
Allusion
An expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly. (An indirect or passing reference)
Theme Creon says that "The state is the king" (line 107). Haemons replies "Yes, if the state is a desert." (line 107). . Interpret Haemon's reply. What does he mean?
An insult that represents the king's rule as being a desert offering nothing or lackluster
Judging from the choral ode, how do the gods feel toward the family of Oedipus?
Angry because they are taking vengeance out on his family every generation.
Who does Antigone blame for her current situation?
Antigone blames the curse of her family.
Compare/Contrast Antigone's and Ismene's reactions to the edict
Antigone goes against it because she thinks it's not right since he was their brother and Ismene follows the edict
What character flaws has Antigone shown so far in the play? Explain each briefly.
Antigone has shown to be very selfish as she doesn't think through to all the consequences, and she has been very stubborn as she does what she wants no matter what others say.
Antigone is less assertive and more subdued. . How has Antigone's tone changed from previous scenes? Explain.
Antigone is less assertive and more subdued.
How has Antigone's tone changed from previous scenes? Explain.
Antigone is less assertive and more subdued.
What does Antigone's treatment of her sister reveal about her character?
Antigone is really upset with her Ismene, and she didn't want anyone else to die.
What are two examples of external conflict presented in the Prologue? Explain. antigone v.s. ismene
Antigone vs Ismene: Antigone wanted to bury her brother Polyneices , but Ismene does not want to because of the law. Antigone vs Creon: The main problem between Creon and Antigone was the issue of Antigone disobeying Creon's law and burying her brother
What tone does Antigone use when addressing Creon in lines 55-75? What leads you to that conclusion?
Antigone was brash in lines 55-57, she states that Creon's rule doesn't mean anything compared to the rule of the Gods.
How does Antigone's way of thinking about the gods differ from Creon's thinking?
Antigone's thinking about the other gods is that she thinks it's the right thing to bury her brother because the gods won't judge her or her brother but Creon thinks differently.
How would you describe Antigone's tone in these lines? Why? 77-81
Antigone's tone was very harsh while communicating with her sister.
Tone
Attitude a writer takes toward the audience, a subject, or a character
60. When Creon first greets Haemon in scene 3, what does he ask of Haemon?
Creon asks for Haemon's loyalty in whatever he decides to do, since he is his father.
What does Creon decided to do with Antigone and Ismene?
Creon decides to put Antigone in a cave to be buried and Ismene is assumed to be let go.
How does Creon's perception of Antigone as a threat to his manhood heighten the conflict between them?
Creon doesn't mind raising Antigone's punishment, in order to prove his authority and manhood.
How does Creon explain the breaking of his law (page 1078).
Creon explains the breaking of his law as selfish, for money and that it goes against the state
What are character flaws has Creon shown so far in the play? Explain each briefly.
Creon has shown to be too prideful as he believes he is higher than the gods and his laws come first, and he self centered as he hasn't cared about how others will feel after doing or saying something for certain.
What reassurance does Creon offer Haemon for the loss of Antigone?
Creon tries to convince Haemon that Antigone isn't worth it.
What does he threaten the sentry with if he does not capture the man responsible for burying Polyneices?
Creon will take the sentry's life if he does not capture the man responsible for burying Polyneices.