| where do the beginnings of modern drama lie? | in the ancient Greek celebrations of Dionysus |
| what features of the theater developed after the days of Greek theater? | Curtains on stage |
| Greek theater started in which century? | Sixth Century BCE |
| what is one of the most important elements of Greek theater? | Masks |
| What do we call a drama that tells the story of the fall of a person with a high status? | Tragedy |
| what are the characteristics of a tragic hero? | Hubris, Hamartia, Peripeteia, Nemesis, Anagnorisis, Catharis |
| Who wrote Antigone? | Sophacles |
| What is Oedipus know for? | Killing his father and marrying his mother |
| What happened to Oedipus? | He blinded himself and died |
| After his death, who did Oedipus turn the kingdom over to? | Creon, his brother-in-law |
| Who are Antigone and Ismene? | Oedipus’ daughters |
| Which daughter of Oedipus chose to support family? | Antigone |
| Which daughter of Oedipus chose to support he country? | Ismene |
| Who are Eteocles and Polynices? | Oedipus’ sons |
| How did Polynices and Eteocles die? | They killed each other in battle |
| Which son of Oedipus attacked the city of Thebes? | Polynices |
| What does Creon want to be done with Eteocles’ body? | He wants it to be buried |
| What does Creon want to be done with Polynices’ body? | he wants it to be left unburied |
| What does Creon say the punishment for burying Polynices will be? | Death by stoning |
| Who does the chorus represent? | Thebian elders |
| How did the Greek audience know Antigone and her brothers would die? | because of the curse |
| How did Antigone and Ismene differ in their views about obeying Creon? | Antigone wants to follow the laws of the Gods while Ismene wants to follow the laws of Creon |
| What do Ismenes actions reflect about her? | She wants to obey Creon and stay out of trouble |
| Why does Antigone feel so strongly about burying Polynices? | Because she feels that everyone deserves a proper burial and she is doing it to please the gods |
| Does Antigone fear being punished? | no |
| What does Creon say will be the test of his mind and spirit as king? | Authority and rule |
| What characteristic do Creon and Antigone have in common? | The are stubborn and strong willed |
| Who is the wife of Creon? | Eurydice |
| Who is the son of Creon? | Haemon |
| What news does the sentry bring to Creon? | Somebody buried Polynices’ body |
| Why does the news enrage Creon? | Someone is going against him |
| What does the Sentry say when Creon asked who did it? | He said he didn’t know and they left no trace |
| How does the Sentry feel about bringing the news to Creon? | Nervous |
| Why does the chorus fear the sentry’s news? | They think the gods did it |
| Who does Creon think buried Polynices? | Rebels |
| What does Creon say will happen to the sentry if he doesn’t find the person who buried the body? | He will die |
| What does the chorus say is beyond mans power? | Death |
| What does the chorus say about a person who walks in sin? | They shall never call them a friend |
| What happens when the sentry returns to his post? | He catches Antigone |
| How does the sentry explain how he caught her? | he said he removed the earth from the body and caught her coming back to rebury him |
| Why does Antigone make offerings to the gods during the burial? | Burial rights |
| when brought to the sentry what does Antigone say? | She admits to burying him |
| What explanation for her actions does Antigone give to Creon? | She did it for the gods |
| How does Creon respond to Antigone? | She will be punished |
| Why does Creon think Ismene helped bury Polynices? | She is acting disturbed and suspicious |
| When facing Creon what does Ismene remind Creon of? | That Antigone is Haemon’s fiance |
| Why does Creon say that Antigone cannot honor both of her brothers? | Because one is a criminal |
| How does Antigone explain how she can honor both of her brothers? | That she lives by love |
| What does Ismene say when asked by Creon if she helped with the Burial? | she said yes |
| Why won’t Antigone share the blame with Ismene? | Because she did nothing wrong |
| How did the chorus explain the sad things that happened to Oedipus’ family? | The curse had passed onto them |
| How does Creon say a son should be? | Loyal, faithful, and ready to kill his fathers enemies |
| Why does Creon believe that a kings subjects should obey him? | Because disobedience ruins land and lives |
| What does Haemon tell Creon that the townspeople are saying? | That they are on Antigone’s side |
| What does Haemon ask Creon to do? | Think things out and think of another way to punish Antigone |
| How does Creon react to Haemon’s suggestion? | He doesn’t want to listen to him |
| Why does Creon say that he is responsible only for himself? | Because he is a king |
| What does Haemon say to his father as he leave? | That he will never see him again |
| What does Creon plan to do with Antigone? | Wall her up in a cave in the desert with food and water until she dies |
| Why does Creon chose this punishment? | So she can pray to her gods to release her |
| What bad thing does the Chorus say love can cause? | Sin and death |
| What emotion does the chorus reveal as Antigone appears? | Sadness |
| Why does the chorus say that Antigone is paying for the sins of her father? | The family is cursed and she must pay for his guilt |
| What does the chorus mean when they say she is a victim of her own self-will? | She is stubborn |
| Why does Antigone begin to feel sad? | Because she is losing her whole life |
| Whom did Antigone expect to meet after death? | Her family |
| What does Antigone say she hopes will happen to her enemies if they are proven wrong? | A punishment equal to hers |
| As Antigone is goes to her death, how does her mood change? | she is resigned, accepting |
| Why does Creon want the guards to hurry her to her tomb? | So they have less time to hasten their work |
| Why does the Chorus tell three stories of others who have been imprisoned? | Becuase their punishments are similar to Antigone’s |
| Who is Teiresias and why does he visit Creon? | He is a prophet who has come to give advice |
| What does Creon say he will do with Teirisias’ advice? | apply it as best as he could |
| why does Teirisias listens to the birds and tell of their bloody fights? | To foretell the future |
| Who does Teirisias blame for the evil in the kingdom? | Creon |
| What does Teirisias say Creon must do? | Bury Polynices and free Antigone |
| What does Creon accuse tierisias of? | Seeking his own advantage |
| Who does Tierisias say will die in payment for Creon’s debt? | Haemon, Creon’s son |
| What are the two debts which Tierisias is referring to? | Not burying Polynices and sending Antigone to death |
| What does Tierisias say will fill Creon’s house? | Sorrow and grief |
| After Tierisas departs what does the chorus say about his prophecies? | That they are always true |
| What two things does Creon consent to do? | Release Antigone and bury Polynices |
| According to the chorus, What did Creon do to make himself and enviable man? | He saved his country from her enimies |
| What does the chorus say Creon has lost? | Joy and respect |
| What has happened to Haemon? | He died |
| Who is to blame for his death? | Creon |
| Who is Eurydice? | Creon’s wife |
| What does Eurydice ask the messengers? | What has happened |
| What does the messenger say he and Creon did with Polynices body | The washed the body, blessed it, burned it, and then buried it |
| As Creon and the messenger approach the cave, what do they hear? | Loud cries of anguish |
| Who does Creon think is making the noise? | Haemon |
| What has happened to Antigone? | She hanged herself |
| What is Haemon doing? | Embracing her and grieving |
| When Creon asked his son to leave the cave, What does he do? | Spit in his fathers eye and pulled his sword |
| After Creon runs off, what does Haemon do? | Fall onto his sword |
| Why does the messenger think Eurydices silence could be dangeurous? | She might do something harmful |
| What is Creon carrying as he enters? | Haemons body |
| What does Creon say his stubborn will has cause? | death and curse |
| What further bad news does the messenger bring Creon? | Eurydice killed herself |
| Describe Eurydice’s death. | She called upon her sons and cursed Creon as she killed herself |
| What does the chorus say the chief point of happiness is? | Wisdom |
| What is the law that the Chorus says is important? | The law of the gods |
| When do we learn that pride is bad? | when we are old |
| What happened to Antigone? | she died |
| What happened to Eurydice? | She died |
| What happened to Haemon? | He died |
| What happened to Creon? | He is alive but wishing for death |
Antigone Reading guide
February 16, 2020