Antigone Flashcards
Who invaded what at the beginning
Thebes has been invaded by Argos
Who were the major deaths that sparked the conflict
Eteocles (Thebes) and Polyneices(Argo) who were twin brothers
Who is Creon and why is he king of Thebes
Creon is the uncle of Eteocles, Polyneices , Ismene and Antigone. He is king because Eteocles and Polynices, who were currently sharing being the king, died, making him next in line
Why is Antigone angry at Creon?
Because of his proclamation that Polyneices is not to recieve a burial or funeral rights while Eteocles is to be given an honourable funeral and that anyone who publically opposes this law is to be stoned to death
Why does Antigone consider Creon’s law unjust?
Because the gods decree that every mortal must be given a proper funeral
What does Antigone do due to her anger at Creon?
She buries Polyneices and gives him his funeral rights
Why does Ismene not help Antigone in burying Polynices?
She feared Creon’s punishment, and that their family has already suffered enough tragedy
How does Antigone get caught?
The guards catch Antigone when she revisits the grave she has prepared for Polyneices
How does she defend her actions?
By claiming she has honoured the gods whose laws are more important that mortal laws
Why does Haemon disagree with Creon’s choice to excecute Antigone?
Since she betrothed to him and that most of Thebes, as well as him, view her as a hero snd as a martyr
What is Antigone’s punishment and why did Creon select this punishment?
To be entombed alive in a cave and he chose this punishement so he wouldn’t directly have her blood on his hands, especially since he was her uncle
Who warns Creon about what prophecy?
The blind prophet Tiresias about a prophecy in which he saw the gods were furious with him and urges to free Antigone before its too late
What does Creon do when he realised that Tiresias is serious
He does as quickly as possible what he was advised, which was to free Antigone and bury Polyneices
What does the messenger tell Creon at the play’s climax?
He announces that Haeman killed himself after he found Antigone hanging from a noose in the cave
What does Creon witness
His son’s death when he arrives at the cave