Characters
Greek Translations
Techniques
Themes & Messages
Antigone & Creon
100
What is the role of Ismene in the play?
Foil character to Antigone.
100
What is the meaning of "Hamartia"?
Fatal flaw that causes the downfall of the hero.
100
List one example of classical allusion.
Antigone's kommos (lines 775-787) Compares herself to Niobe.
100
What are the beliefs of Ismene?
Submission to absolute authority, women in passive role as required by society.
100
What are the characteristics of Antigone?
Extreme, stubborn, strong-willed, daring, impulsive.
200
What is the role of the Messenger in the play?
Provides important news about the plot to the audience.
200
What is the meaning of "Hubris"?
Pride
200
List an example of paradox about "death and marriage"
"My tomb, my bridal chamber, my grave and home" (line 861)
200
What are the beliefs of Antigone?
Family/blood loyalty, Law of Gods, nobility of royal birth.
200
What are the characteristics of Creon?
Cruel, determined, stubborn, inflexible.
300
What are the characteristics of Haemon?
Calm, rational.
300
What is a "kommos"?
Sung dialogue used in moments of emotional intensity.
300
List an example of proleptic irony.
"Spit her out like an enemy" (line 615) "spat in his face" (line 1182)
300
What are the beliefs of Creon?
State before family, Law of Men.
300
What is the conflict between Antigone and Creon?
Antigone believes that her brother Polyneices should be buried according the divine Law of Gods. Creon decided Polyneices is a traitor to Thebes and should be left unburied according the Law of Men.
400
What is the role of Teiresias?
Mouthpiece of the Gods. Delivers warning to Creon.
400
What is the meaning of "Anagnorisis"?
The moment when a character gains self-knowledge.
400
What is the function of classical allusion?
The audience can visualise Antigone's situation since they are familiar with the myth in reference. This arouses the audience's sympathy to Antigone.
400
How is the authority of the Gods shown in the play?
Creon lost his whole family (death of Haemon and Eurydice), just like Antigone, because of his disobedience to the Gods' will.
400
List one example of Antigone's extremeness involving Iseme.
"No. You chose to live, I to die" (line 519)
500
What is the role of the Chorus?
Commentator (biased/reliable), summarise the plot.
500
What is the meaning of "Stichomythia"?
One-line exchanges in dialogue.
500
What is the function of proleptic irony?
It is similar to foreshadowing as both provide the audience insight into the development of the play, but proleptic irony emphasis especially on the irony that the character is unaware of at that moment.
500
What is the theme of the play?
The proud ones will be punished by the Gods for their hubris and that fate is inescapable for all mortals.
500
Who is the tragic hero in the play? Antigone or Creon? Explain.
Creon. In the beginning of the play, he is portrayed as the successful leader in power, however in the end his downfall is caused by his harmatia which is hubris, He also admits his mistake through gaining of self-knowledge due to pain and suffering. Antigone dies without anagnorisis.
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