The reading assignment is all of Antigone (pp.57-128), but the questions below will occasionally refer you to other parts of the book. Make sure that you have the Penguin edition and please look at those short sections referred to in addition to reading the play.

1. What does Antigone’s FAMILY look like? Consult the chart on p.425 and note the positions of the following family members: Antigone, Ismene, Oedipus, Jocasta, Creon, Haemon, Eurydice, Eteocles, Polynices.

Now, for each of these characters, indicate what his or her condition is at the end of the play and briefly describe how he or she came to be in this condition (pp.27-29 will be helpful).

[HCC Foreshadowing: Note that Oedipus was to be exposed and abandoned as a baby. Remember this when we get to Victor of Aveyron in Week Four and Kaspar Hauser in Week Five. Families/parents can reject children for a variety of reasons, but in the latter two cases, the reasons remain mysterious].

2. What does Antigone’s STATE look like? What form does it take (monarchy? democracy?). Who is the head of state and how did the last few heads of state achieve that status? (27-29).

3. Why must the dead be buried in this play? Why is burial so important? [bonus question: Do you know why Priam goes to his enemy Achilles’ tent in the Iliad?]

4. Watch the chorus. Who are they and what functions do they serve?

5. What are Antigone’s first words and how do they situate her?

6. What is the substance of Creon’s edict or proclamation?

7. How does Creon make his case for exposing Polynices on p.68?

8. What does Antigone mean on p. 82 when she speaks of “great unwritten, unshakeable traditions?

9. How do you evaluate Antigone’s treatment of Ismene? Why won’t she let Ismene join her in death?

10. How does Creon argue for the primacy of the father-son relationship on p.93?

11. P.105. a) Lines 995-1004, in which Antigone explains that she would only have defied the edict to bury a brother, not for a husband or child, have baffled readers and spectators for centuries. What is Antigone saying and how is it consistent or inconsistent with what she says and does in the play? Can a true representative of kinship issues assert that she would not bury a husband or child?
b) Goethe said that he hoped that scholars would someday discover that these lines were not part of the play. Do you share his sentiments? Why or why not?

12. Since the play involves the clash of two worlds or at least of two viewpoints, it is natural that one would like to come to some sort of conclusion as to who was right or who was wrong or whether there is a third position. Which way do you incline? Can you support either side or can you support both? Or neither? Give your reasons.

Discussion Question:

Think about the burial practices of your family, religious heritage, cultural heritage. Can you give a detailed description of these practices and explain the reasoning behind them? Your instructor may ask you to do this in class.