ANTIGONE STUDY GUIDE
As we read, you will answer the following questions on your own paper. You will keep these together and submit for a major grade at the time of our Common Assessment, Nov. .
PROLOGUE AND PARADOS
1. Where does the drama take place? What background do we need to know?
2. What are society’s expectations for Greek women of that time? Why is that important
to the plot?
3. How do you interpret the opening of this drama? What is happening? Who is
involved?
4. What does Antigone intend to do? Why is it so important to her?
5. What contrasts between Antigone and Ismene appear? Tell how they are different
and support your answer with evidence from the text.
6. Create a Venn diagram to compare and contrast Antigone’s attitude toward Ismene
With Creon’s treatment of Polyneices.
7. What conflict(s) do you see?
8. Find at least one example of each of these literary devices:
a. personification
b. foil
c. verbal irony
d. foreshadowing
SCENE 1
1. What is the tone at the beginning of Creon’s speech? How does the tone at the end of
the speech differ from that?
2. What principles guide the way Creon governs?
3. What news is the Sentry reluctant to deliver to Creon? Why?
4. When Creon talks about gods and law, does he hold the same beliefs as Antigone?
How might they differ?
5. What conflicts exist so far? Which do you feel is the greatest conflict?
6. How might Creon and Antigone resolve their conflict?
7. Find at least one example of each of these literary devices:
a. dramatic irony
b. metaphor
SCENE 2
1. From Creon’s initial reaction, what can you infer about his relationship with
Antigone?
2. Why is the Sentry happy to bring in Antigone?
3. What reason does Antigone give for violating Creon’s decree? What THEME of the
play does her reasoning express?
4. How do you feel about Creon accusing Ismene?
5. Why do you think Ismene desires death?
6. What is the greatest force motivating Antigone in this scene: pride love, or
principle? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.
SCENE 3
1. What is your first impression of Haimon’s attitude toward his father?
2. What argument does Haimon use to try to change Creon’s mind about Antigone?
Support with textual evidence.
3. Does the Chorus Leader support Creon or Haimon? Why does he take the position
he takes?
4. Haimon uses two analogies to try to persuade Creon that it is wise to be flexible.
What are they? How do they relate to Creon?
5. Haimon begins the scene in a controlled way, but leaves in anger. Where does his
tone begin to change? Support with textual evidence.
6. Haimon says, “Then she’ll die—and in her death kill someone else.” Can you predict
what might happen?
7. Why does Creon change his mind about the way in which Antigone will be killed?
SCENE 4
1. The play is moving toward its climax. What dramatic action do you think is about
to occur?
2. What change do you notice in Antigone’s manner? Do you think Sophocles wants
you to feel more sympathetic toward her, or less? Why?
3. What two things does Antigone ask of the elders (Chorus)?
4. What does Antigone blame her troubles on? How does the Chorus argue
against her view?
5. Antigone asks that Creon’s punishment equal her own. What do you predict will
happen to Creon?
6. What allusions to other Greek myths can you find? How do their situations compare
and contrast with Antigone’s?
SCENE 5, PAEAN & EXODUS
1. According to Teiresias, what has caused the gods’ anger?
2. How does Teiresias’ advice to Creon resemble—and differ from—Haimon’s advice?
3. Which lines in the exodus summarize a major theme of the play?
4. How has Creon changed following the death of Haimon?
5. Do you think Creon is justified in taking all the blame upon himself? Why or why
not?
6. Find an example of each of these literary devices:
a. foreshadowing
b. repetition
c. irony