Antigone Prologue, Parodos, Act 1 Close Reading Questions

Prologue

  1. Who are Antigone and Ismene? Who are Polyneices and Eteocles?
  1. What are Antigone’s first words, and what do these words suggest about her commitment to family?
  1. Why does Ismene say that she has been robbed of two brothers by “a double death”? How did her brothers die?
  1. What degree has been issued by Creon about the burial of the two brothers? Why is Polyneices being treated differently than Eteocles?
  1. What is the penalty for breaking the decree set forth by Creon?
  1. What does Antigone wish to do for Polyneices? Describe the conflict being established between Antigone and Creon.
  1. Describe Ismene’s character. What contrast between Antigone and Ismene is suggested in lines 26-35?
  1. Antigone makes what is, in essence, a religious argument to her sister. What is her argument? Quote the text to support answer.
  1. Describe Antigone’s character and her feelings toward her brother and gods’ laws. How are we to view Antigone and Ismene as opposite characters? What kind of language does Ismene use to describe her sister?

Parodos

  1. Summarize the tone and content of the chorus’s first song.
  1. Based on the imagery used, what seems to be the people view of Polyneices and Eteocles?

Scene 1

  1. What is Creon's view of the people of Thebes?
  1. According to Creon (lines 18-20) what deserves the highest loyalty?
  1. How does Creon believe a ruler earns the respect of his people?
  1. What does Creon believe is the worst choice by a leader?
  1. What extended metaphor does Creon use to describe Thebes?
  1. What is Creon decree? Why does he issue it?
  1. Lines 31-42. Do you think Creon is justified in treating Polyneices’ corpse this way? What do you think his motive is?
  1. How is Creon’s speech, especially lines such as “the man who puts the interests of his friends, /, Or his relations, before his country/There is nothing good can be said of him.” meant to be contrasted with Antigone’s earlier speeches to her sister?
  1. Analyze this statement, “our Ship of State, which recent storms have threatened to destroy, has come safely to harbor at last, guided by the merciful wisdom of Heaven.” Discuss the sailing metaphor and its implications. How does the metaphor describe Creon’s view of his leadership position? See also Creon’s first words.
  1. What command does Creon give to the city’s elders? What does this command say about his leadership style?
  1. According to the Sentry, how has the body of Polynices been treated or “buried”?
  1. What question does the chorus leader ask Creon about this “burial”? What does Creon’s reaction show about his character?
  1. Why does Creon believe the Gods could not be responsible for this “burial”? What is Creon’s theory about what happened to the body?

Ode 1

  1. According to Ode 1, what is the most wonderful of all the world’s wonders?
  1. Of all the winds, man has made himself secure against all except one. Which wind is that?
  1. List man’s accomplishments according to Ode 1
  1. What does this Ode convey about human greatness and tragic limitation?