English Antigone Study Guide (know who said quotes)

Character examples of juxtaposition

-Creon and Antifgone -Antigone and Ismene -Haimon and Creon

What are some examples of Ismene's traits?

-cautious -self-preserving -rule follower -thinks men are superior

What are some examples of Antigone's traits?

-stubborn -does not follow rules if unjust -passionate -loyal to family -no care for gender roles

ISMENE: I must yield to those in authority. And I think it is dangerous business to be always meddling. ANTIGONE. If that is what you think, I should not want you, even if you asked to come. You have made your choice and you can be what you want to be. But I will bury him; and if I must die, I say that this crime is holy: I shall lie down With him in death, and I shall be as dear To him as he to me. QUESTION: Why does Antigone say "this crime is holy"?

Antigone says "this crime is holy" because she is doing the will of the gods.

ANTIGONE. O tomb, vaulted bride-bed in eternal rock, soon I shall be with my own again where Persephone welcomed the thin ghost underground: and I shall see my father again, and you, mother, and dearest Polyneices - dearest indeed to me, since it was my hand that washed him clean and poured the ritual wine: and my reward is death before my time! And yet, as men's hearts know, I have done no wrong, I have not sinned before God. Or if I have, I shall know the truth in death. But if the guilt Lies upon Creon who judged me, then, I pray, May his punishment equal my own. QUESTION: What does Antigone say about her punishment and Creon's role in it?

Antigone says that there is a gain in her punishment because she can see her loved one again. Creon is the one who has a hand in her death.

Define foil character.

Characters thats traits emphasize each other and are opposite from each other.

Who says "oh clear intelligence, force beyond all measure! Oh fate of man, working both good and evil! When the laws are cat, how probably his city stands! When the laws are broken, what of his city then? Never made it anarchic man find rest at my health, never be it said that my thoughts are his thoughts". What does it mean!

Chorus; Creon is being described and how his laws define his city.

After Oedipus' exile and Eteocles' and Polyneices' death, Creon becomes king. Read the following passage: CREON: Nevertheless, I say to you at the very outset that I have nothing but contempt for the kind of Governor who is afraid, for whatever reason, to follow the course that he knows is best for the State; and as for the man who sets private friendship above the public welfare, - I have no use for him, either. QUESTION: Based on this passage, what kind of character is Creon? What does he hold in highest regard?

Creon is a hateful person and want to be the powerhouse. He holds his order of his city in highest regard.

CREON. No, you are right I will not kill the one whose hands are clean. CHORAGUS. But Antigone? CREON. I will carry her far away Out there in the wilderness, and lock her living in a vault of stone. She shall have food, as the custom is, to absolve the State of her death. And there let her pray to the gods of hell. QUESTION: What is Creon going to do with Antigone? (2 things). Why not kill her outright?

Creon is going to make her suffer and he would her as an example of what would happen to people who break the law

TIRESIAS. O my son, These are no trifles! Think: all men make mistakes, But a good man yields when he knows his course is wrong, And repairs the evil. The only crime is pride. QUESTION: How does Tiresias' claim fit Creon's character?

Creon thinks he is being strong and does not admit he was wrong until something bad happens to him.

After Oedipus' exile and Eteocles' and Polyneices' death, Creon becomes king. Read the following passage: CREON: Nevertheless, I say to you at the very outset that I have nothing but contempt for the kind of Governor who is afraid, for whatever reason, to follow the course that he knows is best for the State; and as for the man who sets private friendship above the public welfare, - I have no use for him, either. QUESTION: When the sentry brings Creon the news that Polyneices has been buried, he suggests that perhaps the gods did it. What does Creon think happened? (Refer back to his speech about money)

Creon thinks that one of the soldiers was bribed to bury Polyneices.

HAIMON. It is not reason never to yield to reason! 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. Forget you are angry! Let yourself be moved! QUESTION: What point is Haimon making in this passage? What does he suggest will happen to Creon and why?

Haimon is saying that Creon should be more open minded with his power. He suggests that something bad would happen if he did not slacken himself.

CREON. That is the way to behave: subordinate. Everything else, my son, to your father's will This is what a man prays for, that he may get sons attentive and dutiful in his house, each one hating his father's enemies, honoring his father's friends. ... So you are right not to lose your head over this woman You pleasure with her would soon grow cold, Haimon And then you'd have a hellcat in bed and elsewhere. Let her find her husband in hell! QUESTION: Whose death (besides Antigone's) is foreshadowed in this passage?

Haimon's

CREON. That is the way to behave: subordinate. Everything else, my son, to your father's will This is what a man prays for, that he may get sons attentive and dutiful in his house, each one hating his father's enemies, honoring his father's friends. ... So you are right not to lose your head over this woman You pleasure with her would soon grow cold, Haimon And then you'd have a hellcat in bed and elsewhere. Let her find her husband in hell! QUESTION: What does Creon continue to hold in highest regard? Why won't he budge from his position?

He continues to hold his power in highest regard. He won't budge because he does not want anyone to question it and undermine his power.

How is Creon punished for his hubris (pride) in the end?

He is punished from the death of his son and wife. He has nothing to live for and lost his pride.

How is Creon a tragic hero?

He punishes Antigone for her actions and is caught up with his pride. He changed his mindset in the end but it was too late because he lost his son and wife. He could have saved the, but did not.

How was Oedipus cursed?

He was cursed to kill his father and marry his mother.

Antigone clearly states her rationale for acting against Creon's proclamation. What is her reason?

Her reason is because his laws are not the gods' laws.

CREON. That is the way to behave: subordinate. Everything else, my son, to your father's will This is what a man prays for, that he may get sons attentive and dutiful in his house, each one hating his father's enemies, honoring his father's friends. ... So you are right not to lose your head over this woman You pleasure with her would soon grow cold, Haimon And then you'd have a hellcat in bed and elsewhere. Let her find her husband in hell! QUESTION: What is Creon's attitude about children?

His attitude about children is that they should be obedient to their father.

Who says "grief teaches the steadiest minds to waiver, king. "

Ismene

ISMENE: I must yield to those in authority. And I think it is dangerous business to be always meddling. ANTIGONE. If that is what you think, I should not want you, even if you asked to come. You have made your choice and you can be what you want to be. But I will bury him; and if I must die, I say that this crime is holy: I shall lie down With him in death, and I shall be as dear To him as he to me. QUESTION: Why doesn't Antigone want Ismene to help her?

Ismene doesn't believe in this cause and Antigone does not want her involved.

ISMENE. But how could I go on living without her? CREON. You are. She is already dead. ISMENE. But your own son's bride! QUESTION: What key information does Ismene reveal here?

Ismene reveals that Antigone is getting married to Creon's son.

Who was the brother that was buried by Creon?

Oteocles

Who was forbidden to be buried but buried by Antigone?

Polynices

Definition of hubris

Pride

Juxtaposition

Putting two things in contrast of each other together.

What is the main problem Antigone faces? What must she choose between?

She cannot bury her brother and honor the gods. She must choose between the possibility of death by breaking the law or not giving her brother a proper burial

Who wrote Antigone?

Sophocles

I have seen this gathering sorrow from time long past loom upon Oedipus' children: generation from generation takes the compulsive rage of the enemy god. So lately this last flower of Oedipus' line Drank the sunlight! But now a passionate word And a handful of dust have closed up all its beauty. QUESTION: What figurative language device is being used with "the last flower of Oedipus' line" and what is the meaning behind it?

The last flower is used as a metaphor for Antigone. The meaning behind it is that she is the last in line of Oedipus' family and she is going to be killed.

What was the name of the city Creon ruled?

Thebes

CREON: An enemy is an enemy even dead. ANTIGONE: It is my nature to join in love, not hate. What do these brief statements by Antigone and Creon reveal about why these two characters are in such strong opposition?

They have strong opposition because they have different belief and opinions.

Definition of hamartia

Tragic flaw; misses the mark

What was Creon's hamartia?

pride

Where was Antigone imprisoned?

vault