Episode 5

Question 1

Creon’s respect for Tiresias

Answer 1

I’ve never wavered from your advice before, I owe you a great deal

Question 2

Tiresias’ warning

Answer 2

“my son” you are poised on the razor-edge of fate.

Question 3

The gods are not happy

Answer 3

It is confirmed, the gods are angry
the birds were killing each other, he fire would not burn at the altar, a heavy ooze from the thighbones slid over the embers the bladder puffed and burst, the fat slithered of the bones.

Question 4

why are the gods unhappy

Answer 4

the public alters are filed by birds and dogs with carrion torn from the corpse of Polynices

Question 5

mistakes

Answer 5

all men make mistake, it is only human

a man can make amends no matter how low hes fallen

Question 6

pride and glory

Answer 6

pride is a crime

Where’s the glory killing the dead twice over

Question 7

Creon refuses to bury

Answer 7

even of Zeus’ eagles rip the corpse taking their pickings to the throne of god, never, not even then will I tolerate his burial.

Question 8

Creon knows no man can defy the gods

Answer 8

I know no mortal has the power to defile the gods.

Question 9

Creon knows men fall

Answer 9

all men fall, but the wisest fall obscenely when they glorify obscene advice for their own advice

Question 10

Creon accuses Tiresias

Answer 10

you and the whole breed of seers are mad for money! (he can only think one way)

Creon admits that Tiresias helped him save the city, but he now thinks that he is lusting for injustice

Question 11

Tiresias’ threat

Answer 11

you will surrender one born of your own loins, your own flesh and blood

Question 12

Tiresias describes the crime

Answer 12

you have thrust to the world below a child sprung for the world above
and denied the gods below of a body unburied,unsung, unhallowed by the rites.
this is violence you’ve forced against the heavens

Question 13

terrible things are coming to Creon

Answer 13

the Furies sent by the gods to strike you down lie in wait for you.
Great hatred rises against you, cities in tumult, all whose mutilated sons have been unburied (a war will come, he’s been a bad ruler)

Question 14

Creon wonders what he should do

Answer 14

-It’s a dreadful thing to yield, but resist now?
lay my pride bare to the blows of ruin?
asks the leader what he should do, says he will obey (now he gives up his power, being bending is not being weak, being broken is being weak)

Question 15

What does the Leader suggest

Answer 15

Leader tells him to free Antigone and bury Polynices

Question 16

What does Creon finally realise

Answer 16

Finally realises that “it’s best to keep the established laws to the very day we die”

Question 17

Stasimon 5

Answer 17

EXULTATION
Dionysus Pride of Thebes

Great Dionysus Lord of the dancing dance, dance
come, come forth
Lord, king
dance Dionysus giver of all good things!