Study Guide Questions - Content Questions: Scene by Scene

Name ______Date ______

English 10 Mr. Solomon

Antigone - -Sophocles

Study Guide Questions - Content Questions: Scene by Scene

Antigone, daughter of Oedipus ANTIGONH

Ismene, daughter of Oedipus ISMHNH

Eurydice, wife of Creon EURUDIKH

Creon, King of Thebes KREWN

Haemon, son of Creon AIMWN

Teiresias, A blind seer TEIRESIAS

Sentry FULAX

Messenger AGGELOS

Priest IEREUS

Chorus COROS

Prologue

1) Who is Antigone? Who is Ismene?

2) What character has issued a decree? What is this decree?

3) Who are the two characters that have been killed? What was their relationship to the two women? To each other?

4) Explain the decision made by the Antigone.

5) Explain Ismene's reaction.

6) What do we learn from the Chorus and the Choragus? What do they look forward to in the future?

7) Which brother attacked Thebes? Why?

Scene 1

1) Who is Creon? What position has he taken in Thebes? How has he done this?

2) Explain briefly Creons' principles.

3) Explain briefly Creon's decision concerning Polynices and Eteocles. What will be the punishment for disobeying this decree?

4) Who do the Chorus and Choragos represent? How do they react to Creon's decree?

5) Describe the Sentry. Why does he appear almost humorous? What news does he give Creon?

6) Explain Creon's reaction to the Sentry. What does he threaten the Sentry?

7) What must the Sentry do for Creon? If the Sentry refuses or fails what will happen?

8) In Ode 1 what is the Chorus' view of man and laws?

9) Explain the battle that has taken place before the Prologue of the play

Scene 2

1) Why has the Sentry arrested Antigone? Of what crime does the Sentry accuse her?

2) Explain what the Sentry witnessed while on guard.

3) What is Antigone's response to the Sentry's accusations?

4) What is Antigone's view on the treatment of the dead? How does this conflict with Creon?

5) Who does Creon arrest after his interrogation of Antigone? Why does he do this?

6) Explain the argument between Ismene and Antigone. How had Ismene changed?

7) Explain the relationships of Creon, Antigone, Ismene and Haemon. How are Polynices and Eteocles a part of these relationships?

Scene 3

1) What is Haemon's response to Creon's decision?

2) What are Creon's feelings about "lawbreakers" and "critics of the government"?

3) What is Haemon's response to Creon over Antigone's crime?

4) What does Haemonmean when he says:

"In flood time you can see how trees bend.

And because they bend the twigs are safe

While stubborn trees are torn up, roots and all."

What is the "flood"? Who are the "trees"?

5) What is Haemon promise to Creon?

6) What is Creon's decision for Antigone's punishment?

7) Explain the Chorus' view of love at the conclusion of this scene. Ode 3.

Scene 4

1) Antigone blames the "blasphemy" of her birth for her crime. Is her crime her family's fault of her own fault? Why?

2) Explain why Creon feels that Antigone's death will be "her affair" and not Creon's responsibility.

3) Why does Antigone feel she has "done no wrong"?

4) What are one of the myths the Chorus' speech tells? Why would the chorus tell these myths?

Scene 5

1) Who is Teiresias? What is his special "gift"? What is his handicap?

2) What has Teiresias told Creon of this "new calamity"?

What advice concerning "pride" does he give to Creon?

3) What does Creon accuse Teiresias of doing for money?

4) What final warning does Teiresias give Creon?

5) After Teiresias exits the Chorus tells Creon an important fact about Teiresias. What is this fact and how does Creon react?

6) What action does Creon agree to take at the urging of the chorus?

Exodos- Scene 6

1) What does the messenger tell us about fate?

2) Who is Eurydice?

3) What explanation does the messenger give to Eurydice?

4) How has Antigone died?

5) Explain the death of Haemon. How was Creon involved in Haemon's death?

6) Which of the surviving characters dies at the conclusion of the play? How did this death occur?

English 10 Antigone - -Sophocles

Vocabulary