Antigone Reading Questions
III. Prologue:
1. What happened to Eteocles’ body?
2. What was the law passed about Polyneices’ body?
3. Who passed the law? What is his relationship to the sisters? To Thebes?
4. What does Antigone want to do? What will happen if she is caught?
5. Does Ismene plan to help her sister? Why/Why not?
IV. Parodos 1
1. Where did the battle take place?
2. What action did Zeus, king of the gods, take during the fight? Whose side did he seem to be on?
3. How did the two brothers die? What were they fighting for?
V. Scene One
1. What “recent storm” is Creon referring to?
2. Why has Creon called the Chorus together?
3. How does Creon justify his jump to the throne?
4. Reread the second paragraph of Creon’s speech on pg. 974. What does this paragraph foreshadow?
5. Why is it unallowable for anybody to bury Polyneices? What is the punishment if somebody does?
6. “Only a crazy man is in love with death!” Explain the meaning of this line and how it pertains to Antigone’s situation.
7. The sentry brings news that the law has been broken. How was the body buried?
8. Why is it important that the ground is dry?
9. Why do the sentries stare down at the ground?
10. Creon uses the expression “doddering wrecks” on page 977. Using the context clues, write down what you think this means.
11. Who does the choragus believe may have buried him?
VI. Ode 1
1. Read the final stanza of the ode silently to yourself. What “laws” are being broken in this story so far?
VII. Scene 2
1. Why is Creon surprised to see Antigone?
2. What strange things happened during the Sentry’s watch?
3. Look at lines 57-72. What does Antigone believe is the supreme law? What is her attitude towards death?
4. Reread lines 77-86. How does Antigone threaten Creon? How does this add to the conflict of the story?
5. Reread lines 99-102. What is Antigone suggesting about the rule of kings and its effect on citizens?
6. How does Antigone’s thinking about the gods differ from Creon’s? Why is this significant?
7. How has Ismene changed from the beginning of the play?
8. In line 148, what does Antigone’s treatment toward her sister reveal about her character?
9. Who is Antigone engaged to? In what way does this deepen the conflict?
Write a PCR using one of the following philosophies to critique a character from Antigone
Socrates: Evil is caused by ignorance.
Aristotle: Friendships with selfish purposes lead to problems.
Confucius: Elders should be kind to youth, and youth should be respectful to elders.
Descartes: Begin by doubting all things.
VIII. Best Character SCR 6-7 sentences
Verbs: 3 of them
Who is the ‘best’ character in Antigone? - Must use one direct quotation.
IX. Scene 3
1. What reassurance does Creon offer Haemon for the loss of Antigone?
2. Why does Creon fear breaking his word (line 27)?
3. Why does Creon decide to ignore his family ties?
4. In lines 35-44 Creon details his views on government and his role as king. What, in your own words, are those views?
5. How do Haemon’s views differ from Creon’s?
6. What are Haemon’s feelings about his father (line 70)?
7. What is the misunderstanding that occurs on lines 118- 121? Why does it matter?
X. Movie Poster or Book Cover
With justification for why you included the aspects that you did, and why you chose the colors that you did.
XI. Scene 4
1. Reread lines 11-14 and 33-36. How does the chorus view Antigone’s punishment? Is this just?
2. Lines 45-48: To what does the chorus attribute Antigone’s tragic downfall?
3. If all goes to plan, how will Antigone die?
4. Lines 66-70: How does Antigone accept her death? In what ways are her traits similar to that of a tragic hero?
5. What is Antigone’s highest loyalty? Are her beliefs valid?
XII. Justification SCR – 7 Beautiful Sentences
Write a justification for one of the characters' beliefs or actions or both.
3 new strong verbs
XIII. Scene 5
1. Who is Teiresias? What is Creon’s attitude towards him?
2. Why is Creon indebted to Teiresias?
3. Why has Teiresias come to Creon now?
4. What do lines 18-32 suggest about how the god’s view Creon’s law about Polyneices’ burial?
5. In line 48, Teiresias says, “no man can defile the gods”. What does this suggest about Creon’s fate?
6. What is Teiresias’ warning to Creon? How does Creon react?
7. Why does Creon change his mind about Antigone?
XIV. Paean
1. Why might the Chorus appeal to the god Dionysus?
XV. Exodos
1. What has happened to Antigone and Haemon?
2. Who is Eurydice?
3. What happened to her at the shrine of Athena?
4. Describe how Antigone died? Haemon?
5. Reread lines 86-98. How does Creon view his actions?
6. What has happened to the Queen?
7. Creon assumes the responsibility for all the tragic events. In what ways could he be considered a tragic hero? What tragic flaw does Creon say is his downfall?
8. What theme does the chorus express in the final lines of the play?