Characters
Who is the main character?
Antigone.
What does Antigone want to do?
Bury her brother.
Who is Creon?
The ruler of Thebes.
What does Antigone believe she must do?
Honor her brother by burying him.
What is one major theme?
Law vs. morality.
Who is Antigone's sister?
Ismene.
What does Creon forbid?
The burial of Polyneices.
What does Creon value?
Order, authority, and obedience to the state.
Why doesn't Antigone simply obey Creon?
She believes the gods' laws are higher than Creon's law.
What is another major theme?
Pride.
Who rules Thebes?
Creon.
Why does Antigone disobey Creon?
She believes divine law is more important than Creon's law.
What does Creon refuse to do?
Change his decision about Polyneices' burial.
What does Antigone value?
Family, loyalty, and divine law.
What does the play say about power?
Power can become dangerous when leaders refuse to listen.
Who is Antigone's brother whose burial becomes the major conflict?
Polyneices.
What two types of law are in conflict?
Divine law and human/state law.
What major flaw does Creon show?
Pride and stubbornness.
What makes Antigone courageous?
She stands by her beliefs even when she knows there will be consequences.
What happens when characters refuse to compromise?
The conflict becomes increasingly destructive.
Which character represents the conflict between family/religious duty and political authority?
Antigone.
Why is the conflict so serious?
Both Antigone and Creon believe they are justified, but their stubbornness leads to tragedy.
What does Creon's downfall teach?
Leaders can cause destruction when they refuse to listen or admit they are wrong.
What does Antigone represent?
Individual conscience and divine/religious duty against government authority.
What is the biggest lesson?
Following authority blindly isn't always morally right, but stubbornness can also have devastating consequences.