English; Antigone 126-147
What does Antigone know that Ismene does not? - correct answer-Ismene had yet to be
informed of Creon's new decree that anyone who buried their brother's body would be
stoned.
How does Antigone characterize what she knows? What telling words does she use? -
correct answer-She explains the new decree in terms of how unjust it is, how Creon is going
against them by condemning their brother. How only one has been honored and how
shameful it is to abandon the other. She tries to guilt Ismene into helping her. She then
appeals to their blood, saying how she must prove she is worthy of their royal blood.
What detailed information does Antigone provide for Ismene? - correct answer-She tells
Ismene of the state of their brothers, how one has been honored with all honorable
observances whilst the other is to be abandoned the the elements, to be ripped apart by
animals and disgraced.
Although Ismene feels helpless to act, Antigone does not. In fact, Antigone wants Ismene to
help her with a particular task. What is it? - correct answer-Antigone wants her to help lift the
body so she can bury it.
What is Ismene's reaction to Antigone's request? - correct answer-Ismene is shocked that
Antigone is willing to go against Creon.
What edict has Creon issued in light of the battle's outcome? - correct answer-That anyone
who tried to bury their brother will be stoned to death
What is Ismene's argument for not defying Creon's law? - correct answer-She brings up the
horrible fates of their family members. How their father had fallen prey to his prophesy, their
mother hanging herself, and now their brothers lying dead on the battlefield. They are the
only two left and she says that must remain alive. They are woman, she says, and cannot do
anything in the face of a man's word.
What is Antigone's counter argument? - correct answer-She shames Ismene for failing to
uphold her duty as a sister. She could not live with herself if she didn't do this, thus she
would rather die. She tells Ismene she is defying the laws of heaven by refusing to
acknowledge the dead.
What advice does Ismene offer Antigone who is determined to bury her brother's body? -
correct answer-She tells her there is no sense starting on a hopeless task.
How does Antigone react to it? - correct answer-She tells Ismene that she hates her for such
words, that their brother would too. She tells Ismene to just leave her to her madness, she
will be the honorable one.
, Creon's long speech is intended to elicit the support of the of the Chorus for his law and
explain his political philosophy that clarifies the necessity of the harsh law and its'
consequences. What are the King's methods of persuasion? - correct answer-He
complements them for their past loyalties to the rulers that had come before him. He then
paints himself as someone who is just but has been forced into making a hard call. He
reminds them of how Polynices was a threat to them and would have done terrible things
should he not have been killed.
What is the Chorus' response? It is both crafty and politically smart. - correct answer-They
tell him they will uphold Creon's will as it is law. He has given his judgement, and they will
uphold that. "You have given your judgement for the friend and for the enemy. As those that
are dead, so far us who remain, your will is law." They are not saying that they agree with
Creon, just that they acknowledge that he has the power to uphold his new decree. They are
smart enough not to antagonize the king.
The Sentry arrives with news but spends much time clarifying his own internal debate. -
correct answer-"My lord: if I am out of breath, it is not from haste.
I have not been running. On the contrary, many a time
I stopped to think and loitered on the way,
Saying to myself 'Why hurry to your doom,
Poor fool?' and then I said 'Hurry, you fool.
If Creon hears this from another man,
Your head's as good as off.' So here I am,
As quick as my unwilling haste could bring me;
In no great hurry, in fact. So now I am here...
But I'll tell my story... though it may be nothing after all.
And whatever I have to suffer, it can't be more
Than what God wills, so I cling to that for my comfort."
What is his news and why does he exasperate Creon? - correct answer-He has come to tell
Creon that the body has been buried. He exasperates Creon because he does not simply tell
him, but rather talks himself in circles and offers irrelevant information before denying his
involvement in something he has still yet to state.
On page 133, the Sentry describes what has happened? What is it? - correct answer-He
tells Creon of how the body has had a holy burial and there are absolutely no signs of any
pick, shovel, wheel, or person in general. There are no clues. The body had not been buried
properly but was rather was concealed by a layer of dirt.
What does the Chorus say and why does the King react so strongly? - correct answer-They
say they fear it is an act of the gods. Creon says there is no way the gods could have held
Polynices in any esteem to bother themselves with his burial.
How does Creon understand the God's opinion of dead man? - correct answer-He is
confident that the Gods are of the same opinion as he. He cites how Polynices burned
temples and ransacked shrines. He was not a man the gods would love. Therefore they
would not be against his orders.
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