ANTIGONE STUDY GUIDE #1: PROLOGUE – ODE 2
DUE DATE: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2010
DIRECTIONS: Answer each of the following questions THOROUGHLY using COMPLETE SENTENCES. Don’t just think about your grade – remember the more in depth your answer is, the better prepared you will be for your test!
PROLOGUE
1. What is Antigone upset about? What does she plan to do?
Answer:
2. What are the reasons Ismene states to try and talk Antigone out of her plan? (see lines 36-52 for help)
Answer:
3. Consider the last lines of the Prologue, spoken by Ismene. Does she think Antigone is doing the right thing? Why or why not?
Answer:
4. Compare and contrast the personalities of Ismene and Antigone. Who do you like better? Why?
Answer:
5. Why does Antigone seem to be rude to Ismene yet fully devoted to her slain brother? (Hint: see line 59)
Answer:
PARADOS
6. According to the Choragos, what has Polyneices done?
Answer:
7. At the end of the Parados, for what does the Chorus hope? Predict whether or not this will be granted and why.
Answer:
SCENE 1 – ODE 1
8. What is the “Ship of State” Creon is referring to? What literary device is being used here?
Answer:
9. Re-read lines 32-35. What does Creon care more about – being loyal to one’s friends or one’s government? How do you know?
Answer:
10. Remember that an archetype is a recognizable pattern of a character. What sort of archetype does the sentry fit? What is his purpose?
Answer:
11. This scene introduces Creon, who is now the King of Thebes. Also, several character flaws are revealed in this scene. Identify TWO and provide an example in the form of a quote.
Answer:
12. On the contrary, name some aspects of Creon’s character that are strong or god-like.
Answer:
13. Predict how Creon will react when he learns who buried Polyneices.
Answer:
14. How does Creon relate to our idea of modern politicians?
Answer:
15. In Ode 1, the Chorus reveals its opinion of the government. Describe it.
Answer:
SCENE 2 – ODE 2
16. Who informs Creon of Antigone’s offense?
Answer:
17. Analyze whether of not the Sentry is happy to arrest Antigone. What is his motivation?
Answer:
18. What reason does Antigone provide for defying Creon?
Answer:
19. Pick a side for whether or not Creon was justified in arresting Ismene in addition to Antigone and defend your stance.
Answer:
20. Why would Creon feel threatened that Antigone and Ismene might want his throne? How does this relate to his character flaws?
Answer:
21. Why does Ismene confess so easily?
Answer:
22. What are some reasons that Antigone might be bitter about Ismene’s confession?
Answer:
23. What does Creon think of each sister? Do you agree? Why or why not?
Answer:
24. Re-read the last lines of Scene II (lines 163-4). How does Creon undermine Ismene and Antigone? What does this say about him?
Answer:
25. Pride has been an integral curse of the House of Oedipus. Who in the play is cursed with pride and how has this been exhibited thus far?
Answer: