Antigone

Antigone

  1. Why does Ismenê refuse to help Antigonê? List at least two of the three of the reasons she presents at various times during the play
  2. Why does Antigonê think that the dead, not the living, make the longest demands?
  3. Why does Antigonê respond with scorn to Ismenê's helpful suggestions about how to go about burying the body?
  4. In scene one, Creon is speaking to the chorus. What does he compare the state to? What obligations does he say a person has when that person sees the government "headed for ruin"? Why does that become ironic given his later actions in the play?
  5. Characterize the way the sentry talks when he first appears to bring Creon the news about the body. What do his hesitations and ramblings suggest about his emotional state?
  6. How did this particular sentry get stuck with the job of delivering this news to Creon? Why do you suppose the sentries chose to make the selection this way? What does this suggest about Creon's characteristics?
  7. What does Creon think must have happened to cause the sentries to neglect their duty and let the body be buried?
  8. Who does the sentry drag in as the culprit before Creon's throne? Why is this shocking?
  9. Why is Ismenê arrested after they have the culprit? What does Creon think the two girls have been up to? What do his suspicions reveal about Creon's motivations?
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Last updated by jill d #170087
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2) Ismene refuses because she says that they are women and must not fight with men - men are stronger and therefore must be obeyed. It is not her responsibility as a woman to "aim too high, too far" (I. 67).

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Antigone