Sophocles and Distressing Marvel
Period three (3)
September 13, 2011
Antigone 1. What has happened to the two brothers and what does Ismene mean by the phrase “by doubled hand”? | They fought each other to see who would become king. The phrase Ismene used “by doubled hand” meant that by killing themselves, they killed each other. | 2. Why does Antigone suggest that she would be a traitor if she complied with the law? | Due to the fact that it would not be fair to only bury the brother whom was “welcome” in the city, not the one who “betrayed” the city. | 3. Who was Oedipus and what tragedy did he experience? | He was the one who was given the prophecy to kill his father and marry his mother. | 4. Why is Antigone willing to die for burying her brother? Why is the threat of earthly punishment apparently unimportant to her? | Because she felt that since she had lost both of her brothers, she felt her soul was already dead. | 5. By denying burial to Polynices, what message does Creon intend to convey? To whom is the message directed? | He wanted to get the point across that he was now king. | 6. According to the Guard, what was a “distressing marvel” about the burial and odd about the condition of Polynices’ body? | The body had not been mangled. | 7. Recall Creon’s opening speech in which he pledges to protect the city and keep its citizens safe? What is ironic about the Guard’s parting words? | As soon as he figured out who had tried to bury the body, the guard volunteered to go back to clear their name. | 8. What two general statements about mankind does the Guard make? | “Sometimes man judges harshly”, and “man avoids responsibility. “
September 13, 2011
Antigone 1. What has happened to the two brothers and what does Ismene mean by the phrase “by doubled hand”? | They fought each other to see who would become king. The phrase Ismene used “by doubled hand” meant that by killing themselves, they killed each other. | 2. Why does Antigone suggest that she would be a traitor if she complied with the law? | Due to the fact that it would not be fair to only bury the brother whom was “welcome” in the city, not the one who “betrayed” the city. | 3. Who was Oedipus and what tragedy did he experience? | He was the one who was given the prophecy to kill his father and marry his mother. | 4. Why is Antigone willing to die for burying her brother? Why is the threat of earthly punishment apparently unimportant to her? | Because she felt that since she had lost both of her brothers, she felt her soul was already dead. | 5. By denying burial to Polynices, what message does Creon intend to convey? To whom is the message directed? | He wanted to get the point across that he was now king. | 6. According to the Guard, what was a “distressing marvel” about the burial and odd about the condition of Polynices’ body? | The body had not been mangled. | 7. Recall Creon’s opening speech in which he pledges to protect the city and keep its citizens safe? What is ironic about the Guard’s parting words? | As soon as he figured out who had tried to bury the body, the guard volunteered to go back to clear their name. | 8. What two general statements about mankind does the Guard make? | “Sometimes man judges harshly”, and “man avoids responsibility. “