1. Antigone
REVIEW

2. Know the following concepts
The perspective and conflicts of:
Creon, Antigone
Haimon, Ismene
Teiresias.
Literary Terms
Irony,
Figurative Language
Allusion
Antagonist/Protagonist
History of the Greek theater
Sophocles’ Impact on it
Thematic concepts of Antigone
The story of Oedipus and how it relates

3. Topics
Hubris
Hamartia
Polis
Catharsis
Peripeteia
Oikos
Paean

4. Greek Theater Dithyramb Hypokrit Parados Skene Orchestra Theatron
Dionysus

5. Characters Oedipus Jocasta Polynieces Eteocles Sphinx Choragos
Antigone
Ismene
Creon
Haimon
Eurydice
Teiresias
Chorus
Sentry

6. The Chorus
The chorus serves as an intermediary between the actors and the audience. They produce imagery through their words to create scenery that in those days did not exist.

7. Contributions to the development of theater:
Sophocles ( B.C.E.)
Contributions to the development of theater:
Introduction of third actor
Made changes to the size of the chorus
Introduced painted scenery on the Skene
Introduced a new style of music to plays
Abandoned the trilogy of plays for the self-contained tragedy (1 play at a time)
Created characters that are more realistic, not “god-like” thus reinforcing the lessons of the play

8. Tragic Hero
character of high social standing who makes an error of judgment or has a fatal flaw that, combined with fate and external forces, brings on a tragedy
Hamartia: weakness or flaw in a character.
Hubris: excessive pride or arrogance
Experiences the following:
Peripetia: Reversal of fortune
Catharsis: self-realization and self-awareness

9. ESTABLISHING A TRAGIC HERO
High Social Standing
Suffers a downfall as a result of Harmartia (flaw)
Has a peripetia (reversal) and has or causes a catharsis (purging of emotion)
Battles against FATE.
Evaluate Antigone/Creon to establish the Tragic Hero

10. Identifications (IDs) Quotations Short Essays
Written Responses
Identifications (IDs)
Quotations
FOLLOW RULES ON HANDOUT
Short Essays

11. Responding to a Prompt Identify the question
Restate the question as a thesis- the point that you wish to prove.
Give 3 specific examples directly related to the question.
Explain how those examples prove your point.
Summarize your point by rephrasing (not repeating) your thesis.

12. Essay Response
PROMPT #1
Antigone declares that she acts out of honor and obedience to the gods. Are these really her motives? Do her words and actions reveal other motives? In an essay, analyze Antigone’s motives and draw conclusions about why she does what she does. Use at least three details from the play to support your analysis.

13. Step One: Find the Question
PROMPT #1
Antigone declares that she acts out of honor and obedience to the gods. Are these really her motives? Do her words and actions reveal other motives? In an essay, analyze Antigone’s motives and draw conclusions about why she does what she does. Use at least three details from the play to support your analysis.

14. Step Two: Restate the question as a thesis
Antigone declares that she acts out of honor and obedience to the gods. Are these really her motives? Do her words and actions reveal other motives?
Although Antigone claims that she acts out of honor and obedience to the gods, these are not her real motives. Her words and actions reveal other motives.

15. Step Three: Give three specific examples
She wants to honor the brother that she has lost.
She wants to get credit for burying Polyneices.
She wants to die.

16. Good Response
Although Antigone claims that she acts out of honor and obedience to the gods, these are not her real motives. Her words and actions reveal other motives. Firstly, Antigone feels responsible for burying her brother. In the prologue, she argues with Ismene that they have a family obligation. She says “He is my brother. And he is your brother, too” Another reason she does this is to get credit for it. She tells Ismene to tell everyone. This suggests a sense of pride. Finally, she seems to have a death wish. Not only does Antigone want everyone to know what she did, before she dies, she seems happy to be able to see her dead mother, father and brother. Therefore, Antigone’ has many more motivations for this than just reverence for the gods.

17. Reason One
Although Antigone claims that she acts out of honor and obedience to the gods, these are not her real motives. Her words and actions reveal other motives. Firstly, Antigone feels responsible for burying her brother. In the prologue, she argues with Ismene that they have a family obligation. She says “He is my brother. And he is your brother, too” Another reason she does this is to get credit for it. She tells Ismene to tell everyone. This suggests a sense of pride. Finally, she seems to have a death wish. Not only does Antigone want everyone to know what she did, before she dies, she seems happy to be able to see her dead mother, father and brother. Therefore, Antigone’ has many more motivations than just reverence for the gods.

18. Reason Two
Although Antigone claims that she acts out of honor and obedience to the gods, these are not her real motives. Her words and actions reveal other motives. Firstly, Antigone feels responsible for burying her brother. In the prologue, she argues with Ismene that they have a family obligation. She says “He is my brother. And he is your brother, too” Another reason she does this is to get credit for it. She tells Ismene to tell everyone. This suggests a sense of pride. Finally, she seems to have a death wish. Not only does Antigone want everyone to know what she did, before she dies, she seems happy to be able to see her dead mother, father and brother. Therefore, Antigone’ has many more motivations than just reverence for the gods.

19. Reason Three
Although Antigone claims that she acts out of honor and obedience to the gods, these are not her real motives. Her words and actions reveal other motives. Firstly, Antigone feels responsible for burying her brother. In the prologue, she argues with Ismene that they have an family obligation. She says “He is my brother. And he is your brother, too” Another reason she does this is to get credit for it. She tells Ismene to tell everyone. This suggests a sense of pride. Finally, she seems to have a death wish. Not only does Antigone want everyone to know what she did, before she dies, she seems happy to be able to see her dead mother, father and brother. Therefore, Antigone’ has many more motivations than just reverence for the gods.

20. Transitions
Although Antigone claims that she acts out of honor and obedience to the gods, these are not her real motives. Her words and actions reveal other motives. Firstly, Antigone feels responsible for burying her brother. In the prologue, she argues with Ismene that they have a family obligation. She says “He is my brother. And he is your brother, too” Another reason she does this is to get credit for it. She tells Ismene to tell everyone. This suggests a sense of pride. Finally, she seems to have a death wish. Not only does Antigone want everyone to know what she did, before she dies, she seems happy to be able to see her dead mother, father and brother. Therefore, Antigone’ has many more motivations than just reverence for the gods.

21. Essay Response
PROMPT #2
As the new head of state, Creon forbids Polyneices’ burial. In an essay, investigate the character of Creon. What do his decision and the reasons for his decision say about him? What are the strengths and the weaknesses of his character? Use at least three details from the play to support your investigation of Creon’s character.

22. Step One: Find the Question
PROMPT #2
As the new head of state, Creon forbids Polyneices’ burial. In an essay, investigate the character of Creon. What do his decision and the reasons for his decision say about him? What are the strengths and the weaknesses of his character? Use at least three details from the play to support your investigation of Creon’s character.

23. Step Two: Write a Thesis
As the new head of state, Creon forbids Polyneices’ burial. In an essay, investigate the character of Creon. What do his decision and the reasons for his decision say about him? What are the strengths and the weaknesses of his character?
Creon’s decision and the reasons for this choice say much about him and reveal both his strengths and weaknessess.

24. Essay Response
PROMPT #3
In your opinion, what accounts for the strong appeal Antigone has had for centuries? In a short essay, explain why Sophocles’ classic tragedy remains relevant to modern life. Support your opinion with at least three details from the play.

25. Step One
PROMPT #3
In your opinion, what accounts for the strong appeal Antigone has had for centuries? In a short essay, explain why Sophocles’ classic tragedy remains relevant to modern life. Support your opinion with at least three details from the play.

26. Essay Response
PROMPT #4
With which character in Antigone did you identify most strongly? In a short essay, explain how and why you identified with this character. Discuss what you discovered about the character and the play. Use at least three details from the play to support your explanation.

27. Essay Response
PROMPT #5
Who do you believe is the tragic hero in Antigone—Antigone or Creon? In a short essay, state your opinion and support it with reasonable evidence from the play. Use at least three details from the play to support your opinion.

28. Vocabulary Sated- Satisfied; provided with more than enough
Sententiously- In a way that shows excessive fondness for wise sayings; in a lecturing tone
Deflects- Turns or makes go to one side
Edict- A public order or decree
Brazen- Shameless; bold
Waver- Show indecision; fluctuate
Deference- A yielding to the ideas, wishes, and so on of another
Contempt- Scorn; the attitude of someone who looks down on something or someone else
Vile- Evil; low; extremely disgusting
Piety- Loyalty and devotion to family, the divine, or some other object of respect
Lamentation-Expression of grief; weeping
Rash- Too hasty in speech or action; reckless

29. Images of Antigone