essay questions antigone

109 Antigone Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best antigone topic ideas & essay examples.

• ⭐ Good Research Topics about Antigone
• 👍 Simple & Easy Antigone Essay Titles

❓ Antigone Essay Questions

• Gender Roles in Antigone Essay This will be seen through an analysis of the other characters in the play and the values of ancient Greeks. Indeed this central character appears to be at odds with the inclinations of the other […]
• The Ancient Greek Tragedy “Antigone” The theme raised by Sophocles in the play is the theme of duty and family, which is still relevant to this day.
• Civil Disobedience and Pride in “Antigone” by Sophocles The play effectively depicts the theme of civil disobedience through the personality of Antigone, who is willing to break the rules to satisfy her morals standards and conscience. Therefore, the author uses the characters of […]
• Antigone Reflection and Analysis This shows she was courageous and determined to bury her brother irrespective of the consequences. Antigone’s mistake was disobeying the law and Creon’s mistake was being arrogant even to his son.
• Justice and Inequality in Oedipus Rex and Antigone For instance, in the case of Oedipus Rex, the origin behind the tragedy can be traced to the belief of King Laius in the words of an oracle.
• Faith or Free Will Used in the Movie – Minority Report and the Drama – Antigone In life, people have the freewill to choose what they want; however, in some cases, faith and fate takes the center stage despite the choices made through freewill.
• Does Antigone Have an Obligation to Obey or Disobey Creon’s Law? The focal point of this paper is to analyze and evaluate the characteristics of Creon and Antigone and compare and contrast their personalities in the image of the two famous comments by each of the […]
• The Theme of Divine Law in “Antigone” by Sophocles In this particular case, it can be stated that Creon has learned not to go against the ancient traditions that are valued by the ancient Greek society that he is in since they are part […]
• The Play Antigone: Characterization and Symbolism Antigone’s conviction is that the dead deserve a decent burial in spite of the circumstances that led to their death while Creon’s preoccupation is to enforce the laws of the land that disallow burial of […]
• The Tragic Hero of the Sophocles’ “Antigone” He is viewed as the rescuer of Thebes through his efforts to protect the people and his success in fighting the Argive Army.
• Sophocles’ “Antigone”: The Synopsis of the Play The controversy between the adherence to the state law and the moral norms maintains the conflict between Antigone and Creon in Sophocles’ play.
• Antigone’s Courage in “Antigone” by Sophocles The current research paper was written in order to analyze Antigone’s courage in the context of the philosophy of Aristotle and overall ideals of the Ancient Greece.
• Antigone Analysis: Antigone vs. Creon In the tragedy, one can consider the collision of equally just principles: the interest of the state and the interest of the family, expressed through the feminine principle.
• Antigone and Cordelia’s Stories Cordelia and Antigone are faithful to their ideals to the last, a life in which their faith in justice and the sincerity of their intentions is violated is meaningless.
• Civility, Democracy, Memory in Sophocles’ Antigone In Sophocles’ Antigone, the narrative flow makes the audience empathize with the tragic fate of the characters, deepening the emotional involvement of the readers and viewers.
• The Moral Conflict in Antigone: The Familial Values Against the Law The dilemmatic nature of the argument and the contrast which is created by the personas of Creon and Antigone, characters of the famous Greek myth about Oedipus, are particularly interesting for their potential for interpretation.
• Family Ties and Obligations as the Driver of Antigone’s Actions in Sophocles’ Play It is evident from Antigone’s willingness to sacrifice her life that she is driven by the familial tie, namely, her profound love for her brother.
• Background of Shakespeare’s “Othello” and Sophocles’s “Antigone” Even though Othello is a Moor, he fights for Venice in this war and wins, thus proving his loyalty to the Christian Venice.
• “Antigone”: Evaluation and Synthesis The Greek tragedy “Antigone” explores the themes of the conflict between the law and the internal sense of right and wrong.
• “Antigone” by Sophocles and “Blood Wedding” by F. Garcia Lorca The main difference between the two plays is the lack of concrete stage directions in Sophocles’ Antigone. By the means of music and singing, the director expresses all the events and shows the interaction between […]
• “The Antigone” by Sophocles: Characters and Plot Characters and the plot of The Antigone are highlighted in the play for resolving the problem of morale and pride in human beings and the counter-reaction of gods in response.
• Tragedy in Sophocles’ “Antigone” Reverting to the issue of who between the 2 is a tragic hero, it is important to note that the reason for the duo’s demise has some moral and practical backing.
• “Antigone” by Sophocles Is a Play Without a Hero It tells the story of the king Oedipus’ daughter and her uncle Creon, the new king of the city of Thebes. The current essay represents the discussion of the characters of the famous play Antigone […]
• Mythology: The Tragic Hero in Antigone In the Greek tradition, the women were the ones that were concerned with the issues of burial and she wants Ismene to help her to ensure that their brother is properly buried despite the objection […]
• Higher Law in The Antigone Play Antigone strongly believes that the laws of Gods are higher than the laws of the state and that she does right by following the laws of the Gods.
• Antigone Reading Response On the other hand, Antigone looked at things in a totally different perspective from Creon; she believed it was her duty as a woman to bury the body of a family member and proceeded to […]
• The Play “Antigone“ by Sophocles: Summary This contradiction is revealed in the play by confronting the principles of two characters, Creon who felt his powers and used them to the fullest possible extent and Antigone with her actions which were not […]
• Antigone and Creon: Comparison The conflict between Creon and Antigone can serve as the platform for the discussion of the relationship between divine and secular laws.
• Creon and Antigone’s Debate in Sophocles’ Tragedy Exploring the apparent conflict pertaining to the burial of Polyneices I am of the opinion that Antigone had a right to bury her brother.
• Medea and Antigone: Literature Comparison However, in spite of the fact that the motivations of Medea and Antigone are considered to be the same, they choose different actions.
• Basic Conflict in Antigone by Sophocle In setting the central characters against each other, Sophocles’ play Antigone embodies a conflict between one’s duty to the state and laws and the responsibility to family and morality.
• Comparison of Antigone With Griselda Additionally their roles in the society including the chores assumed in this context depicted various similarities in the entire contexts. Nonetheless, the depiction of women is still ideal in this context.
• The Main Actor Creon in “Antigone“ by Sophocles Throughout the play, there are hints that Creon who defends his actions as doing them in line with the interests of the people and the gods that he is doing the exact opposed and in […]
• Theories of Desire: “Antigone” by Sophocles This paper takes the modern approach in referring to the relevancy of the play by critically giving an insight on the perspectives of the theories of desire.
• Queen’s Voice: Antigone & Ismene The events that follow clearly indicate how abuse of power by a reckless ruler can lead to oppression of women who often suffer in silence unable to act and the resulting consequence to a society […]
• The Ancient Greek Play Antigone by Sophocle In the play, it is evident that pride is used by people to create laws that challenge the divine law from gods.
• The “Antigone” by Sophocles and Its Historical Context Creon is the antagonist in of the story. She is even willing to die in the name of honor.
• The Villain Comparison: Creon in Antigone and Medea in Medea From such a position the audience is allowed to examine the position of a woman in the society. What this signifies is that the woman is painted as a social misfit and this resulted in […]

⭐ Good Research Topics about “Antigone”

• Family Ties and Law in “Antigone” by Sophocles
• “Antigone”: Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely
• Julius and “Antigone”: Dynamic Characters in Greek Mythology
• Antigone and Creon: Philosophical War
• The Fight for the Throne in “Antigone” by Sophocles
• “Antigone”: Moral Law vs. Political Law
• The Distinction Between Brave and Coward in “Antigone”, a Tragedy by Sophocles
• Sophocles’ Great Tragedies: “Oedipus” and “Antigone”
• Antigone and Oedipus Rex by Sophocles
• The Modern World and the Legacy of “Antigone”
• “Antigone”: Conformity and Nonconformity
• Differences and Similarities Between “Antigone” and Creon
• Fate vs. Free Will “Antigone”
• Actions, Characters, and Hubris in Sophocles “Antigone”
• Ancient Greek Values: The Case of Antigone
• Creon in a Different Context: In “Antigone” and in “Oedipus King”
• Greek Mythology “Antigone” Moral Obligation and Civil Disobedience
• Agamemnon and “Antigone”’s Tragic Hero Characterization
• Love, Loyalty, and Irony: The Three Major Themes in “Antigone” by Sophocles
• Historical and Social Contexts Influence the Way in Which “Antigone” Is Constructed

👍 Simple & Easy “Antigone” Essay Titles

• Creon: Antigone’s True Tragic Hero
• Dealing With the Devil in “Antigone”
• Reasons for Antigone’s Disobedience in “Antigone”, a Tragedy by Sophocles
• Antigone and Haemon: Love, Religion, and Politics
• The Debates and Controversies Related to the Greek Tragedy “Antigone” by Sophocles
• Antigone’s Morals and Tragic Fate
• The Conflict Between Men and Women in “Antigone”, a Tragedy by Sophocles
• Antigone Challenges the Human Law and Holds the Divine Law as a Greater Authority in “Antigone” by Sophocles
• Sympathy for the Main Character in Sophocles’ “Antigone”
• Greek Religion and the Democratic Government of Athens in the Play “Antigone” by Sophocles
• Sophocles’ “Antigone”, Plato’s “Protagoras”, and Socrates’ “Principles”
• Moral and Political Law in Sophocles’ “Antigone”
• Relationship Between Antigone and Creon
• Light and Darkness Found Within the Gospel of John and in Sophocles’ Drama “Antigone”
• Male and Female Power in Sophocles’ Tragic Play, “Antigone”
• Creon and His Downfall in Sophocles’ “Antigone”
• Antigone Fights for Her Family
• Making Choices and Suffering Consequences in Krapp’s Last Tape by Samuel Beckett and “Antigone” by Sophocles
• Antigone and Creon, Antagonist, Hero and Anti Hero
• Sophocles “Antigone”: Steadfast Love and Sexuality
• What Does the Play Antigone Say About Human Laws and Religious Laws?
• How Do Human Beings Judge Each Other in the Play Antigone?
• Was Sophocles’ Antigone Justified in Crossing the Line of Human Law to Honor the Divine Law?
• How Does Love Conquer All as Described in Sophocles’s Antigone?
• Why Did Mandela Choose Antigone as a Play in Jail?
• How Do Protagonist Females Use Masculine Characteristics to Overpower Men in Antigone?
• What Personal Characteristics Lead Antigone to Defy Creon in Burying Her Brother?
• How Does the Character’s Strength of Spirit Create the Climax in Death and the Maiden and Antigone?
• In What Significant Ways Are Creon and Antigone Similar?
• What Is Creon’s Fatal Flaw?
• How Could the Tragic Events in Sophocles’ Antigone Have Been Prevented?
• In What Ways Is Ismene Important to the Play?
• How Would You Characterize Creon as a Ruler in Antigone?
• In What Ways Is Haemon Important to the Play Antigone?
• How Might We Interpret Creon’s Character Psychologically? What Personal Characteristics Lead to the Decisions That He Makes?
• What Does Antigone Say About the Place of Women in Society?
• How Should We Regard the Character Antigone? As Prideful and Reckless? As Heroic?
• What Does the Play Antigone Say About Absolute Power?
• How Are Women Portrayed in the Play Antigone?
• What Does the Play Antigone Say About Obligations to Family and Obligations to Authority?
• How Does Antigone Demonstrate Pre-feminist Ethics?
• Why Does Ismene Object to Antigone’s Plan to Bury Polyneices?
• When Does Creon Become Apologetic for His Actions in the Play Antigone?
• What Is the Seeming Reason for Haemon’s Suicide? Does He Kill Himself Only Out of Desperate Love for the Dead Antigone?
• Why Isn’t Creon Killed by the Plague That Befalls Him at the Play’s End?
• What Is Creon’s Tragic Flaw in Antigone?
• Is Antigone Ever Apologetic for Burying Polyneices?
• Why Does Antigone Not Allow Ismene to Join Her in Her Death Sentence?
• What Is the Role of the Chorus in Antigone?
• What Is Unusual About the Watchman’s Speech in Antigone?
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Antigone Essay Topics and Questions

Table of Contents

Understanding and Exploring “Antigone”: A Guide

Whether “Antigone” captivates or bores you hinges on your taste in plays. This masterpiece delves into profound aspects of human nature and societal interactions. To assess critical thinking, educators often assign essay topics related to the text. Successful responses require an intimate understanding of the play’s multifaceted issues. Remember, as a literary work, it’s crucial to discuss “Antigone’s” themes while referencing specific instances from the text.

How to Select an Optimal “Antigone” Essay Topic?

Choosing the right topic sets the foundation for your essay. If your instructor provides a topic, ensure you comprehend the instructions and the underlying question to offer an apt response. If there’s any ambiguity or uncertainty, don’t hesitate:

• Consult your instructor for clarification.
• Discuss with peers who have a good grasp of the topic to gain different perspectives.

If you’re choosing a topic independently, keep the following in mind:

• Follow Guidelines : Stick to your instructor’s criteria, such as focusing on themes or literary techniques.
• Choose Your Strength : Opt for topics that resonate with you. For instance, if exploring femininity feels more intuitive than delving into mortality, trust your instinct. This ensures not only ease but also enhances the quality of your essay.

Top “Antigone” Essay Topics

• Analyze how character interactions propel “Antigone’s” plot.
• Assess Creon’s stance on authority and critique its practicality.
• Delve into the theme of family responsibility as portrayed in the play.
• Discuss gender roles and their representation.
• Examine the significance of female characters in advancing the narrative.

Character Analysis:

• The transformation of Creon throughout the play.
• Is Antigone a heroine or a tragic figure? Discuss.
• Haemon’s loyalty: To his father Creon or his lover Antigone?
• What is the role of the Chorus and its influence on the audience?
• Analyzing Ismene’s cautious nature compared to Antigone’s rebelliousness.

Themes Explored:

• There is a clash between divine law and human law.
• Loyalty within the family versus loyalty to the state.
• Consequences of hubris in the play.
• Morality and its complexities in Antigone.
• The costs of dissent and the price of obedience.

Literary Devices:

• Symbolism in Antigone and its significance.
• The use of foreshadowing and its impact on the narrative.
• Role of irony in the tragic events of the play.
• The structure and purpose of the stichomythia in dialogue.
• Dramatic tension and its buildup throughout the narrative.

Philosophical Insights:

• The nature of free will in the face of destiny.
• Ethical dilemmas faced by characters.
• What is the definition of justice in Antigone’s world?
• Perspectives on death and the afterlife.
• The concept of duty and its implications for characters.

Gender and Society:

• Portrayal of women in ancient Greek society through Antigone.
• Masculinity and its standards in the play.
• The societal expectations placed on both genders.
• Power dynamics between male and female characters.
• The impact of gender roles on decision-making processes.

Religion and Tradition:

• Role of the gods and their influence on human affairs.
• Significance of burial rites in Greek tradition.
• There is tension between old religious beliefs and new societal norms.
• The interplay of fate and prophecy in the narrative.
• Divine intervention or absence thereof in the unfolding tragedy.

Political Undertones:

• Creon’s leadership style and its implications for Thebes.
• The play is a critique of authoritarian rule.
• What are the responsibilities of a ruler versus the rights of citizens?
• The idea of tyranny and its manifestations in the play.
• The role of public opinion in decision-making processes.

Comparative Analysis:

• Antigone vs. other Greek tragedies: similarities and differences.
• The portrayal of familial ties in Antigone and Oedipus Rex.
• Comparison between Antigone and modern-day political dramas.
• Themes shared between Antigone and Shakespearean tragedies.
• Antigone in the context of Sophocles’ other works.

Modern Interpretations:

• Relevance of Antigone’s themes in today’s world.
• Modern retellings or adaptations of the play.
• The play’s influence on contemporary literature and films.
• How would Antigone’s narrative change in a modern setting?
• Lessons from Antigone applicable to current global issues.

Narrative Techniques:

• The pacing and structure of Antigone.
• Techniques used by Sophocles to evoke empathy.
• The balance of dialogue and action in the narrative.
• The role of soliloquies in character development.
• The interplay of light and shadow in stage directions.

Questions of Morality:

• Evaluating Creon’s decisions: Were they justified?
• Antigone’s defiance: Righteous or impulsive?
• The gray areas of right and wrong in the play.
• The consequences of moral rigidity.
• Personal convictions vs. societal norms.

Reception and Legacy:

• Initial reception of Antigone during Sophocles’ time.
• The play’s influence on Greek drama and tragedies.
• Legacy of Antigone in literature curriculum worldwide.
• Analysis of critiques and reviews over the centuries.
• The play’s impact on feminist literary studies.

Miscellaneous:

• The concept of heroism in Antigone.
• The role of nature and natural elements in the play.
• Analysis of secondary characters and their significance.
• The depiction of love in various forms: familial, romantic, and patriotic.
• Dreams and omens in the play and their interpretations.
• The setting of the play and its significance.
• The cyclical nature of tragedies in Greek drama, as exemplified by Antigone.
• Exploring off-stage events and their implications.
• Analysis of key quotes and their relevance to the overarching narrative.
• The juxtaposition of youth and age in the play.

Pertinent Essay Questions on “Antigone”

While numerous questions arise from “Antigone,” here are a few to consider:

• Does Creon face any consequences? Elaborate.
• Contrast the characters of Creon and Ismene.
• Identify instances of symbolism in the play. Do they amplify the core message?
• Explore internal conflicts the characters grapple with.

Crafting a Stellar “Antigone” Essay

Writing about “Antigone” can be challenging, but the following steps can simplify the process:

• Comprehend the Question : Always understand what’s being asked. For example, if the question pertains to themes, avoid focusing solely on character traits.
• Revisit the Play : Even if you’re familiar with the text, re-reading can unearth nuances and provide fresh insights.
• Adhere to Structure : A cohesive essay begins with a compelling introduction, followed by a well-organized body, and concludes with a meaningful summary.
• Antigone (Sophocles Play)

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English Composition 2

Essay questions for sophocles's antigone.

A thesis statement can be regarded as an answer to a question, so coming up with a one-sentence response to one of the questions below could give you a good thesis statement for an essay on Sophocles's Antigone .

• In what ways is Creon responsible for his own downfall?
• Does Creon suffer from excessive pride?
• How would you characterize Creon as a ruler?
• Is Creon deserving of sympathy?
• How might we interpret Creon's character psychologically? What personal characteristics lead to the decisions that he makes?
• What personal characteristics lead Antigone to defy Creon in burying her brother?
• How should we regard the character Antigone? As prideful and reckless? As heroic? As an innocent victim of tyranny? As a martyr? As a masocist? As an idealist?
• In what significant ways are Creon and Antigone similar?
• In what ways is Ismene important to the play?
• In what ways is Haemon important to the play?
• How are women portrayed in the play?
• What does the play say about the place of women in society?
• What does the play Antigone say about absolute power?
• What does the play say about obligations to family and obligations to authority?
• What does the play say about human laws and religious laws?

These are only some of the questions we could ask about the play. Can you think of other questions?

Copyright Randy Rambo , 2022.

• The Oedipus Trilogy
• Literature Notes
• Essay Questions
• Play Summary
• Oedipus the King
• Oedipus at Colonus
• About the Oedipus Trilogy
• Character List
• Summary and Analysis: Oedipus the King
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• Summary and Analysis: Oedipus at Colonus
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• Character Analysis
• Sophocles Biography
• Critical Essays
• The Power of Fate in the Oedipus Trilogy
• Ritual and Transcendence in the Oedipus Trilogy
• Full Glossary for The Oedipus Trilogy
• Practice Projects
• Cite this Literature Note

Study Help Essay Questions

1. Near the end of each play in the Oedipus Trilogy, a messenger describes what has happened offstage, usually the most important action in the play. Why do you think Sophocles handles the action in this way? How does the off-stage action — left to the imagination — function in the play?

2. Choose one tragedy and discuss the role of the chorus. Does the chorus change over the course of the play? How does the chorus affect the action? How does it focus and intensify the audience's responses?

3. In Antigone , who is the real main character — Antigone or Creon? Make a case to support your choice.

4. In Oedipus the King , Jocasta, like Oedipus, sees the horror of her identity unfolding. Compare Jocasta to the tragic hero. What are her own ideas about Fate and prophecy? How does she react to her suspicions about Oedipus' birth? How does her final despair differ from Oedipus'?

5. Discuss the differences between Antigone and Ismene in their views of women in society. How does each sister's view shape the choices she makes in the play? How consistent is each in her view?

6. Choose a character who appears in two or more plays of the Oedipus Trilogy, and discuss the similarities and differences in characterization in the plays.

7. Write an essay in which you agree or disagree with the following statement: Antigone is primarily a drama of politics, not of fate.

8. As a prophet, Tiresias speaks for the gods and for Fate. How does the character of Tiresias function dramatically in Oedipus the King and Antigone ?

Previous Full Glossary for The Oedipus Trilogy

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AP English Literature and Composition

Put words under a magnifier, open ended essay question and antigone.

Objectives : Students will be able to demonstrate their understanding of the overall meaning of  the play,  Antigone, through character analysis.

Aim : How do we illustrate or support a theme through character analysis?

Do Now: Select one of the AP Literature exam open-ended questions and identify the specific tasks the essay questions asks you to do. List the tasks.

2005, Form B.  One of the strongest human drives seems to be a desire for power. Write an essay in which you discuss how a character in a novel or a drama struggles to free himself or herself from the power of others or seeks to gain power over others. Be sure to demonstrate in your essay how the author uses this power struggle to enhance the meaning of the work.

1995 Writers often highlight the values of a culture or a society by using characters who are alienated from that culture or society because of gender, race, class, or creed. Choose a novel or a play in which such a character plays a significant role and show how that character’s alienation reveals the surrounding society’s assumptions or moral values.

2004, Form B.   The most important themes in literature are sometimes developed in scenes in which a death or deaths take place. Choose a novel or play and write a well-organized essay in which you show how a specific death scene helps to illuminate the meaning of the work as a whole. Avoid mere plot summary.

2015  Question 3 (Suggested time—40 minutes. This question counts as one-third of the total essay section score.)

In literary works, cruelty often functions as a crucial motivation or a major social or political factor. Select a novel, play, or epic poem in which acts of cruelty are important to the theme. Then write a well-developed essay analyzing how cruelty functions in the work as a whole and what the cruelty reveals about the perpetrator and/or victim. You may select a work from the list below or another work of equal literary merit. Do not merely summarize the plot.

2014  Question 3 (Suggested time—40 minutes. This question counts as one-third of the total essay section score.)

It has often been said that what we value can be determined only by what we sacrifice. Consider how this statement applies to a character from a novel or play. Select a character that has deliberately sacrificed, surrendered, or forfeited something in a way that highlights that character’s values. Then write a well-organized essay in which you analyze how the particular sacrifice illuminates the character’s values and provides a deeper understanding of the meaning of the work as a whole. You may choose a novel or play from the list below or one of comparable literary merit. Do not merely summarize the plot.

2012   Question 3 (Suggested time—40 minutes. This question counts as one-third of the total essay section score.)

“And, after all, our surroundings influence our lives and characters as much as fate, destiny or any supernatural agency.” Pauline Hopkins, Contending Forces Choose a novel or play in which cultural, physical, or geographical surroundings shape psychological or moral traits in a character. Then write a well-organized essay in which you analyze how surroundings affect this character and illuminate the meaning of the work as a whole. You may choose a work from the list below or one of comparable literary merit. Do not merely summarize the plot.

Materials: copies of Antigone play, AP Essay 9-point rubric

Resources: 

• http://litstudies.org/APEnglishLit/open_endedessays.pdf http://www.shmoop.com/antigone-sophocles/
• Advice from a professional
• AP Essay 9-point rubric 
• Review lesson objectives and aim
• Mini Lesson with guided practice
• Student Independent practice: essay writing

Mini Lesson with Guided Practice

We’ll use the 2014 Question 3 to practice steps you’ll need to perform such a challenging task within 40 minutes.

Step 1: Make a list of the tasks the questions asks you to do.

Step 2: Turn the tasks into questions: What are the sacrifices? How doe a particular sacrifice illuminate the character’s values ? How do the characters’ values provide a deeper understanding of the meaning of the work as a whole?

Step 3: Select a literary work,  in this case, Antigone and do the following-

• a)Describe separately in each paragraph the sacrifices Antigone makes. b)Analyze why she needs to make the sacrifices. c) So what: how does the value contribute to the overall meaning of the play( your thesis)?
• State the values Antigone’s sacrifices illuminate and explain why( one sacrifice in one separate body paragraph)

Independent Practice: Follow the steps and write a response to the Question you have selected.

Homework: Complete the 1st draft of the essay. Due on Dec. 23, 2015.

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by Sophocles

Antigone quiz 1.

• 1 Where and when did Sophocles live? Memphis, 8th century BC Syracuse, AD 3rd century Sparta, 12th century BC Athens, 5th century BC
• 2 The philosopher Aristotle wrote an influential text on drama called... The Poetics Four Dialogues on Drama Sophocles and the Art of Theatre Drama for Dummies
• 3 What did Greek actors wear? Nothing at all Togas Masks Black and red garb
• 4 Greek plays feature a group of performers who sing, dance, provide exposition and interact with the other characters. This group is called... The Nymphs of Artemis The Bacchae The Chorus Sappho's "maidens"
• 5 Who was Antigone's father? Apollo Zeus Creon Oedipus
• 6 Antigone's two brothers, Eteocles and Polyneices, did what? Were the greatest runner and discus thrower, respectively, at the Olympic games Spied on Artemis while she was bathing Fought on opposite sides in a war for power in Thebes Ate their mother's flesh
• 7 Who is Creon? Antigone's fiance A failed applicant to the Academy at Lesbos The new king of Thebes The oldest man in Athens
• 8 What happened to Eteocles and Polyneices? They disappeared and were never seen again They were exiled They died in battle They were chased by agents of the gods
• 9 What does the king of Thebes declare? Thebes should have a drama festival to celebrate victory in war against the Persians Eteocles is to be left for the carrion animals and Polyneices thrown into the sea Antigone will reign in his place while he goes into exile Eteocles is to be given a funeral and full honors while Polyneices' body will be left for the sun and the carrion animals
• 10 What does Antigone ask Ismene to help her do? Accept their fate Start an armed revolt against Creon Bury Polyneices' body Escape Thebes
• 11 What does Ismene do when Antigone asks her for help? She refuses, and is unsuccessful in persuading Antigone not to do the deed She agrees to help her, but backs out at the last minute She refuses, and is successful in dissuading Antigone from the deed She agrees to help her, but is stopped by a sign from the oracle
• 12 Who does the Chorus consist of? The soldiers under Creon's command The women of Corinth The Theban elders The Priests of Apollo
• 13 Which of these values does Creon praise in his initial speech to the Chorus? Compassion Humility Moderation Loyalty to the state
• 14 The Sentry character can be seen as an experiment. In the context of Greek drama, what is unusual about this character? He speaks in verse instead of prose His speech is written in a somewhat naturalistic style He wears a mask He is a slave, but is depicted with great care and sympathy
• 15 What does the Sentry report? That someone is hiring mercenaries to fight Creon That Ismene has buried Polyneices That someone has buried Poylneices That Argos is preparing another attack
• 16 The Chorus, on first hearing the Sentry's news, wonders if... Oedipus' family will survive another war God did it Ismene might be trying to overthrow the government Antigone did it
• 17 What does Creon tell the Sentry? That he must leave Thebes in shame That he must find the culprit or face execution That he must find the culprit or he and the other guards will be demoted That he must pray at the altar of Zeus for forgiveness
• 18 What/who does the Sentry bring back? Polyneices' body Teiresias Antigone Guards, to fight Creon
• 19 What does the Sentry witness? A sudden and mysterious dust storm, which he takes as a sign of the gods' displeasure Zeus standing over Polyneices' body in triumph Birds glutted with blood Antigone and Ismene fighting over the body
• 20 What does Antigone do when she is brought before Creon? Defends her actions by threatening to start an armed revolution Defends her actions by asserting the supremacy of divine law Defends her actions by claiming that Creon has no legitimate claim to the throne Defends her actions by explicitly asserting that the conscience is the highest judge of morality
• 21 According to an interpretation offered in this study guide, the motivations for Antigone's rush to martyrdom may have something to do with what? Ismene's lust for power The social position of women The prophecies of Teiresias Creon's rape of Jocasta
• 22 In comparing the two sisters, one could most convincingly argue what? That Ismene is the brains behind the operation, and Antigone the muscle That Ismene and Antigone have never gotten along That Antigone consistently keeps her agency while Ismene seems to have very little agency That Ismene was their father's favorite
• 23 What does Ismene do when she is brought before Creon? She shrieks accusations at Antigone She tries to rally the Chorus in support of the sisters She tries to attack Creon She tries to take some of the blame for burying Polyneices
• 24 What does Ismene argue about Antigone to try to convince Creon not to kill her? That Antigone is the most loved woman in Argos That Antigone is Haemon's betrothed, and thus Creon's future daughter-in-law That Antigone is a tireless champion of the city's poor That Antigone is princess and heir to the throne
• 25 Haemon, Creon's son, enters. What happens in their conversation? At first Haemon seems to agree with his father, but when he tries to persuade Creon to spare Antigone the two men have a vicious argument. Haemon threatens to tell Eurydice what's going on. At first the two men disagree, but they finally come to terms with each other. Creon orders Haemon to kill Antigone himself, but soon relents.

Antigone Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Antigone is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

How does the play begin?What impact does this technique or beginning have on the audience?

In her very first speech, Antigone only briefly alludes to her and her sister's circumstances, but a Greek audience would have quickly filled in the gaps created by this 'in media res' device (meaning that Sophocles begins the story 'in the middle...

demonstration of pre feminist ethics in sophocles antigone

Antigone's gender has profound effects on the meaning of her actions. Creon himself says that the need to defeat her is all the more pressing because she is a woman. The freedom of Greek women was extremely limited; the rules and strictures placed...

Whose rights should assume priority - Creon's to legislate and punish, or Antigone's to bury her brother? Is there any way to resolve the competing claims of Creon and Antigone?

I like Antigone. Some critics see Antigone as too self-righteous, even alienating, but others claim her as a seminal feminist, determined to do what is right even in defiance of patriarchal law. Indeed, Antigone captured the public imagination...

Study Guide for Antigone

Antigone study guide contains a biography of Sophocles, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Antigone
• Antigone Summary
• Character List
• Lines 001-241 Summary and Analysis

Essays for Antigone

Antigone essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Antigone by Sophocles.

• Influence of Antigone on A Doll's House
• The Use of Light and Dark Images in Antigone
• Batman and Creon: Denied the Glory?
• Relativist Justice in Antigone
• Hubris in Antigone and Oedipus

Lesson Plan for Antigone

• About the Author
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to Antigone
• Relationship to Other Books
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• Antigone Bibliography

E-Text of Antigone

Antigone e-text contains the full text of Antigone by Sophocles.

Wikipedia Entries for Antigone

• Introduction
• Historical context
• Notable features
• Significance and interpretation

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Antigone — Did Antigone Have The Right To Bury?

Did Antigone Have The Right to Bury?

• Categories: Antigone

About this sample

Words: 660 |

Published: Jun 13, 2024

Words: 660 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Table of contents

The importance of burial rites, defying king creon's decree, the moral implications.

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Essays and Deadlines Announced for 2024-25 Full-Time MBA Application

T he University of Virginia Darden School of Business is thrilled to announce the essays and deadlines for the 2024-25 Full-Time MBA application. While the full application is not yet available, we share these aspects early to give you the most time possible to prepare your submission.

Our admissions committee looks forward to reading your essays and the wonderful opportunity to learn more about you! We also look forward to interacting with you in the weeks and months ahead at one of our many virtual, on-grounds and off-grounds events. Additionally, we will be providing application tip webinars for each deadline to provide more guidance and encouraging tips as you navigate your applications. - Senior Assistant Dean of Admissions Dawna Clarke

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