Background
This is the order that Creon gave right before the play begins.
Polynices cannot be buried.
This is Antigone first and main reason for wanting to bury her brother.
If a body is unburied, it wanders around in purgatory forever.
This is Creon's first and main reason why Polynices must remain unburied.
Everyone - royalty included - must obey the law.
ANTIGONE:
Just tells us who is speaking
I would rather be reading books.
Creon
This is what we learn about Antigone and Haemon.
They were engaged to be married.
This is the total number of times that Antigone tried to bury Polynices.
Twice - once with her brother's toy shovel and once with her hands.
Creon compares being king in difficult times to this.
A ship in a storm.
To herself, quietly
Telling us how to act / stage directions
I got punched in the face by my sone.
Oedipus
We are the two brothers who killed each other fighting for the crown.
Polynices and Eteocles
This is what Antigone thinks about the supertition of burial.
It may be true or it may not - but you still need to do it to honor your family.
This is what Creon thinks about the superstition of burial.
It's just a silly belief, people's spirit does not wander around after their death.
It is you fate too, you fool!
This is an actual line that is spoken out loud.
I get pretty mad at my dad late in the play.
Haemon
I am Antigone's dad - the old king.
Oedipus
This is how Antigone feels about fate.
You control everything you do - fate doesn't decide for you.
This is how Creon feels about fate.
You can't always do what you want - sometimes fate decides for you.
Why does a play have stage directions?
Because a play is meant to be seen - the actors need to know how to act and what the stage looks like.
I have pretty hair!
Ismene.
This is the city the play takes place in.
Thebes
This is a gift that Polynices made for her when she was little.
Paper flower
Creon reveals this to Antigone about how he found the bodies of her two brothers.
They had both killed each other, and the bodies were so mangled he couldn't tell them apart.
CHROUS:
Tells us that the narrator is speaking
I like to gamble.
Polynices.