Antigone Study Guide Questions Wood
Antigone Study Guide Questions
Prologue and Scene One
1. What differences do you notice between Antigone and her sister, Ismene? Examine their character.
2. The action of the play begins immediately with a conflict between Antigone and Ismene. What is the cause the cause of the conflict?
2. Why do you think that Ismene will not help her sister with her plan?
3. Do you think Antigone has thought her decision through? Why or why not?
4. Why does Antigone get so angry at her sister? Do you think that Ismene is being practical or that she is being cowardly? What reasons do you have for that opinion?
5. The speeches of the Chorus and Choragus interrupt the action of the play to describe the battle to the audience. What do these city elders look forward to in the future?
6. Do you think that Creon’s punishment of Polyneices is just and fair? Why?
7. Why did the sentry tell Creon about the burial of Polyneices?
8. At the end of the reading today, why does the sentry say, at any rate, I am safe?
Ode 1
9. This ode presents a portrait of human existence—its wonders and its limitations. Restate its main idea in your own words.
10. How does the ode comment on the problem of the play as it as been developed so far?
Scene Two
11. Since Greek dramas usually do not move from one setting to another, many of their important actions take place offstage. What major even has taken place before this scene opens? How does Sophocles help the audience picture what has happened?
12. How does Antigone defend her actions?
13. Look back at the comments of the Choragus in this scene. Does he seem to side with Antigone or with Creon? Explain.
14. How has Ismene changed since we first saw her in the Prologue? How does Antigone treat her?
Ode 2
15. What grave fears for Oedipus’ children does this ode express?
16. How would you explain the ancient wisdom in line 28: “Man’s little pleasure is the spring of sorrow.”
Scene Three
17. Haimon is caught in a conflict of
Prologue and Scene One
1. What differences do you notice between Antigone and her sister, Ismene? Examine their character.
2. The action of the play begins immediately with a conflict between Antigone and Ismene. What is the cause the cause of the conflict?
2. Why do you think that Ismene will not help her sister with her plan?
3. Do you think Antigone has thought her decision through? Why or why not?
4. Why does Antigone get so angry at her sister? Do you think that Ismene is being practical or that she is being cowardly? What reasons do you have for that opinion?
5. The speeches of the Chorus and Choragus interrupt the action of the play to describe the battle to the audience. What do these city elders look forward to in the future?
6. Do you think that Creon’s punishment of Polyneices is just and fair? Why?
7. Why did the sentry tell Creon about the burial of Polyneices?
8. At the end of the reading today, why does the sentry say, at any rate, I am safe?
Ode 1
9. This ode presents a portrait of human existence—its wonders and its limitations. Restate its main idea in your own words.
10. How does the ode comment on the problem of the play as it as been developed so far?
Scene Two
11. Since Greek dramas usually do not move from one setting to another, many of their important actions take place offstage. What major even has taken place before this scene opens? How does Sophocles help the audience picture what has happened?
12. How does Antigone defend her actions?
13. Look back at the comments of the Choragus in this scene. Does he seem to side with Antigone or with Creon? Explain.
14. How has Ismene changed since we first saw her in the Prologue? How does Antigone treat her?
Ode 2
15. What grave fears for Oedipus’ children does this ode express?
16. How would you explain the ancient wisdom in line 28: “Man’s little pleasure is the spring of sorrow.”
Scene Three
17. Haimon is caught in a conflict of