| Scene and Time of the Prologue | Creon’s place, dawn of the day after the war on Thebes |
| What is the curse on Oedipus? | kill his father and marry his mother |
| What happened to Ismene and Antigone’s brothers? | killed each other during the war of Thebes |
| What does Antigone want? | wants Ismene to help her bury their brother |
| Why is Antigone’s reference to Creon ironic? | our “good king”- she does not think he is good |
| Summarize Ismene’s speech to Antigone | The deaths of their parents and brothers were tragic, but their deaths would be even worse if they defy Creon. They are only women: weaker than men. They must follow the law and yield to those with authority. |
| What is Antigone’s response to Ismene? | Do what you want, but I am burying Polyneices. |
| Which laws are most important to Antigone? | law of the gods |
| Which laws are most important to Ismene? | law of Creon |
| What does Ismene pledge to Antigone? | she is going to keep the burial a secret |
| What is Antigone’s response? Why? | tells her to tell everyone, she doesn’t want everyone to judge her when they find out she knew about the burial all along |
| What are Antigone’s feelings at the end of the Prologue? | wants Ismene to go away |
| How does Ismene characterize Antigone? | loyal but unwise |
| Speech to Creon: Whom does he address? | Chorus |
| Reason for speech? | tell about Thebes and its safety after the battle. |
| How has he become king? | Oedipus killed Laius and then killed himself. Eteocles and Polyneices assume the role but kill each other. |
| Creon’s opinion on loyalty: Contempt to what kind of leader? | one afraid to follow what is best for state |
| Friendship vs. Country? | Creon says there is no use for a man who puts friendship above public welfare. |
| What burial arrangements does he order? | Makes arrangements for Eteocles but does not allow Polyneices a burial |
| Summarize | We are Creon’s people and he has the right to enforce the laws |
| What is the penalty for disobeying Creon’s order not to bury Polyneices? | death |
| What is the sentry’s attitude? | nervous; scared of Creon’s anger |
| What are the details of the burial? | body is lightly covered with dust just enough to be considered a “burial”. no animals around. |
| What is the Choragos’s theory on the burial? | wonders if the gods performed the burial |
| Speech by Creon: What is his attitude? | angry, livid |
| Why does Creon think the gods did not bury Polyneices? | they would not honor a bad man |
| What is Creon’s theory of the burial? | thought his guard was bribed |
| What will Creon do to the sentry if he does not bring the criminal to Creon? | kill him |
| Interpret the Sentry’s statement | King is the right judge, but in this case he is judging wrongfully for wanting to kill innocent people |
| What does the sentry plan to do? | run away |
| Man is powerless against what? | death |
| Summarize (21-22) | When the laws of the state are obeyed, the state remains strong, when the laws are broken, the city cannot stand |
| Sentry’s speech to Creon: Sentry’s feelings toward Creon? | scared of Creon’s anger |
| Why has the Sentry returned to see Creon? | criminal has been discovered |
| Sentry’s second speech: What actions did the sentry and the others take regarding the body? | brushed dust away from body and watched on a hill all night |
| What was Antigone’s attitude at the burial site? | sad but not scared |
| Antigone’s speech to Creon: Attitude toward the gods’ law vs. Creon’s law | Creon’s strength becomes his weakness when he goes against the gods |
| Antigone’s opinion on death | accepts it |
| Creon’s speech to Antigone: How has Antigone committed a double crime? | broke given laws and boasted about it |
| What is Creon’s order regarding Ismene? | arrest her she is equally guilty; sentence her to death to |
| Antigone’s Speech to Creon: What does Antigone want from Creon? | wants death |
| How does Antigone think she should be viewed by the people of Thebes? | praised and honored |
| What does Ismene mean? | If Antigone lets her, she wants to die along with Antigone |
| What is Antigone’s reaction to Ismene’s statement? | Antigone says no don’t die with me |
| Who is Antigone planning to marry? | Creon’s son (Haemon) |
Antigone Prologue-Scene 2
February 15, 2020