Antigone Scene 1 November 16

Unit 4 Reading Guide Title and Pages Author Conflict Format  Lather and Nothing Else Page 44-49   Hernando Tellez Must we act to stop injustice no matter the cost? Short Story  Antigone Progloue Page 649-652 Scene 1 654-669 Scene 2 661-667 Sophocles When is it ever right to disobey the law? Greek Tragedy  

Last Class We Read Antigone Prologue Antigone and Ismene were arguing other whether or not they should break the law and bury their brother Polyneices.

Our Prologue Focus What evidence supports the possibility of Antigone being a tragic hero? What evidence supports the possibility of Ismene as the foil to Antigone?

Question What arguments were made both for and against burying Polyneices? Could Antigone possibly be considered selfish or inconsiderate?

Let’s Predict Based on what we know about Antigone, what do you predict will occur next?

Scene 1 P. 654 - Background Athens was a democracy, but there were memories of its previous rulers, who worked hard to preserve their family identities-and their family welfare. Even in the democracy, aristocratic families were known to promote their own interests. Thus, it would have been important for the audience to hear Creon distancing himself from Polyneices, a rebellious family member, and decrying nepotism.

Creon’s Speech Reading: Page 655 Time: 3 Minutes Lines: 8-17

Skill Focus - Paraphrasing Paraphrasing: Re-stating quotes, lines of text in your own words Not directly copying We cannot change the meaning

Creon’s Speech Gentlemen: I have the honor to inform you that our Ship of State, which recent storms have threatened to destroy, has come safely to harbor at last, guided by the merciful wisdom of Heaven. I have summoned you here this morning because I know that I can depend upon you: your devotion to King Laios was absolute; you never hesitated in your duty to our late ruler Oedipus; and when Oedipus died, your loyalty was transferred to his children. Unfortunately, as you know, his two sons, the princes Eteocles and Polyneices, have killed each other in battle, and I, as the next in blood, have succeeded to the full power of the throne.

My Paraphrase Gentlemen: I have the honor to inform you that our Ship of State, which recent storms have threatened to destroy, has come safely to harbor at last, guided by the merciful wisdom of Heaven. Gentlemen: I am humbled to tell you that our government has survived catastrophe by the grace of the gods.

My Paraphrase I have summoned you here this morning because I know that I can depend upon you: your devotion to King Laios was absolute; you never hesitated in your duty to our late ruler Oedipus; and when Oedipus died, your loyalty was transferred to his children. I have called for you this morning because I trust you: you were loyal to both King Laios and Oedipus; you continued to remain loyal to his heirs.

My Paraphrase Unfortunately, as you know, his two sons, the princes Eteocles and Polyneices, have killed each other in battle, and I, as the next in blood, have succeeded to the full power of the throne. It’s disappointing that we must remember the deaths of Princes Eteocles and Polyneices by their own hand. Thus, the throne has fallen to me as the next of kin.

Based on Our Paraphrase 1. What can we infer is Creon’s main objective in summoning these men? 2. Why might he spend a portion of his speech referencing things that happened before our play? 3. According to Creon, who has guided their “Ship of State” safely to harbor from the “recent storms”?

Creon’s Speech – Act 1 Reading: Page 655 Time: 5 Minutes Lines: 18-23 Answer the Following:

Paraphrase Working with Your Group: Paraphrase Lines 18-23 Place Your Paraphrase on the Whiteboard

Creon’s Speech I am aware, of course, that no Ruler can expect complete loyalty from his subjects until he has been tested in office. Nevertheless, I say to you at the very outset that I have nothing but contempt for the kind of Governor who is afraid, for whatever reason, to follow the course that he knows is best for the State; and as for the man who sets private friendship above the public welfare, ––I have no use for him, either.

Creon’s Speech – Act 1 Reading: Page 755 - 756 Time: 3 Minutes Lines: 24 -28 Answer the following: 1. Why does Creon constantly use a metaphor to describe the government/country as a ship?

Paraphrase Working with Your Group: Paraphrase Lines 24-28 Place Your Paraphrase on the Whiteboard

Creon’s Speech I call God to witness that if I saw my country headed for ruin, I should not be afraid to speak out plainly; and I need hardly remind you that I would never have any dealings with an enemy of the people. No one values friendship more highly than I; but we must remember that friends made at the risk of wrecking our Ship are not real friends at all.

Based on our Paraphrase 1. What can we assume that Creon puts above friendship? 2. What can we infer about Creon’s character based on his view of the law? 3. Could this be a negative? How so?

Creon’s Speech – Act 1 Reading: Page 756 Time: 3 Minutes Lines: 29-39 1. What reasons does Creon give for not allowing Polyneices to be buried?

On Your Own.. Paraphrase Lines 29-39 When Finished: Which side are you on between Antigone and Creon? Why?

Creon’s Speech These are my principles, at any rate, and that is why I have made the following decision concerning the sons of Oedipus: Eteocles, who died as a man should die, fighting for his country, is to be buried with full military honors, with all the ceremony that is usual when the greatest heroes die; but his brother Polyneices, who broke his exile to come back with fire and sword against his native city and the shrines of his fathers’ gods, whose one idea was to spill the blood of his blood and sell his own people into slavery–– Polyneices, I say, is to have no burial: no man is to touch him or say the least prayer for him; he shall lie on the plain, unburied; and the birds and the scavenging dogs can do with him whatever they like.

Reading Bottom of 655 – 650 Stop at Ode 1 Answer the Following and Provide Line Numbers: 1. Who shall have Creon’s “respect while he is living and ….reverence when he is dead?” 2. What has happened to Polyneices’ body? 3. Summarize the Sentry’s report through line 102 4. What does Creon order the Sentry to do?

HOMEWORK READ ANTIGONE SCENE 2 PAGE 661-668 ANSWER 1-5 A