NAME:___________________________________ Study Guide – Sophocles’ Antigone
Answer the following questions as you read the play. The
answers to the questions can be found on the page numbers provided.
1.
Eteocles and Polynices are supposed to take
turns ruling Thebes. They each get a chance to rule every other year. After
Eteocles has his year to rule as king of Thebes, he decides that he does not
want to give up the throne to his brother Polynices. Polynices decides to
become king of Thebes by force. During the ensuing battle, Polynices and
Eteocles kill each other. Who do YOU think is the traitor to the country of
Thebes—Polynices or Eteocles? Who does King Creon think is the traitor
(introduction)?
2.
What are some personality differences between
Antigone and her sister Ismene (pp. 117-120)?
3.
How does Creon use the analogy of a ship to symbolize
the government of a country (p. 124)?
4.
Why is Creon so mad about the burying of
Polynices (pp. 128, 134)?
5.
What do Creon and Antigone argue about? What is
each of their arguments? (pp. 136)
6.
What does Ismene say she will do if Antigone is
sentenced to death? (p. 137)
7.
What is Haemon’s suggestion to his father? (p.
143)
8.
What two analogies does Haemon use to persuade
his father to let Antigone go free? (p. 143)
9.
How are Creon and Haemon foils (opposites) of
each other? (p. 144)
10.
How is Creon going to kill Antigone (p. 149)?
11.
Why does Tiresias come to speak to Creon (p.
154)?
12.
How does Creon accept his words (p. 155)?
13.
Creon says: “No woman, while I live, shall order
me” (p. 136) and “Men that we are, must we be sent to school to learn
discretion of a boy like this?” (p. 143). What is wrong with both of these
statements?
14.
The Senator tells King Creon: “Ah, how thou seem’st
to see the truth, too late” (p. 164). Why is it too late?
15.
What was King Creon’s character flaw which
brought about this tragedy?
Mrs. Richardson,
ReplyDeleteCould you please post the Sparta and Athenian power points on the blog? Thanks so much! :)