QUESTIONS ON ANTIGONE




Through Scene 2



1. Explain what Ismene means when she says, “We are only women, / We cannot fight with men, Antigone!”

2. How might Ismene’s advice to her sister seem cowardly to some readers?

3. In his argument with Antigone, Creon declares “An enemy is an enemy, even dead.” What does he mean? Do you agree?

4. Compare and contrast the government of Creon in Thebes with a modern-day government.

5. What was Ismene’s motive for not going along with Antigone at first?

6. What is Antigone’s motive for burying Polyneices?

7. What is Creon’s motive for insisting on Antigone’s death?

8. Describe the conflict between Antigone and Creon.

9. What qualities of each character contribute to the conflict?

10.Give examples of actions and feelings that show that Antigone is the protagonist

and Creon is the antagonist.

Scenes 3 through 5



1. Why do Creon and Haimon argue?

2. According to Teiresias, what terrible punishment awaits Creon?

3. What action does Creon take after Teirisias’ prophecy?

4. What does the Messenger tell Eurydice before she leaves the stage during the Exodos?

5. What finally happens to Antigone? Haimon? Eurydice?

6. Explain the conflicts that drive Haimon to take extreme measures. Does he seem more concerned with divine law, to which Antigone turns for her justification, or with human law? Support your answer.

7. Why does Creon say, “I have neither life nor substance” in the Exodos?

8. How great a role do you think fate plays in dictating the outcome of the story?

9. Both Antigone and Creon are unwilling to appear weak. How could this trait influence a person’s outlook on life?

10.Explain how this play demonstrates the tension that sometimes exists between

individual conscience and designated authority.

11.Near the end of the play, Creon says, “The pains that men will take to come to

pain!” How do his words apply to contemporary society?

12.(a) In your opinion, who is brought down most completely at the conclusion of

the action? (b) Give evidence to support your answer.

13.(a) What is this character’s tragic flaw? (b) How does this flaw lead to the

character’s downfall?

14.What role, if any, does fate play in leading to the downfall?

15.With which character did you most identify? Why?

16.Which actions, events, or lines in the play led you to identify with that character?

17.How did your identification with a character draw you into the action of the play?

18.In Antigone, it is not easy to decide who is the tragic hero. Traditionally, the role

has been assigned to Antigone herself. Some critics argue, however, that Creon

is the real tragic hero and that his role is the more dramatic. In deciding who is

truly the tragic hero or heroine in Antigone, you should first consider whether the

play is constructed to arouse greater pity or terror for Antigone’s situation or for

Creon’s. About which of the two can it be said that his/her misfortune is brought

about by some error or frailty? If the frailty in character is one of pride, who

suffers more acutely as a result of it—Creon or Antigone?