1. Antigone

2. Major Themes Fate versus free will – Where is the prophecy? Rules and order- Follow state laws or gods laws? Women and femininity- Can Creon rob Antigone of her right to bare children? Nature of power and will- How far can a king go to restore unity? Life and death- Better to die young or live alone?

3. Characters Antigone- Daughter of Oedipus and fiancé of Haemon, her cousin. Determined to honor her dead brother Polyniceas. Creon- Newly crowned king of Thebes after Etocles and Polyniceas kill each other on the battle field. Uncle of Antigone and Father of Haemon. He will not honor traitors. Haemon- Young and passionate son of Creon and fiancé of Antigone. Tries to convince father to be flexible. Ismene- Sister of Antigone, Polyniceas, and Etocles. She refuses to break the rules to honor her brother, but still loves her sister. Euridice- Wife of Creon and queen of Thebes.

4. Who is the Tragic Hero? Creon’s view: But anyone who’s proud and violates our laws or thinks he’ll tell our leaders what to do, a man like that wins no praise from me. No. We must obey 760 whatever man the city puts in charge, no matter what the issue—great or small, just or unjust. For there’s no greater evil than a lack of leadership. That destroys whole cities, turns households into ruins, and in war makes soldiers break and run away. When men succeed, what keeps their lives secure in almost every case is their obedience. That’s why they must support those in control, and never let some woman beat us down. 770 If we must fall from power, let that come at some man’s hand—at least, we won’t be called inferior to any woman. Source:https://records.viu.ca/~johnstoi/sophocles/antigone.htm

5. Tragic Hero Continued Antigone’s view: That was the law I used to honour you. But Creon thought that I was in the wrong and acting recklessly for you, my brother. Now he seizes me by force and leads me here— no wedding and no bridal song, no share in married life or raising children. 1030 Instead I go in sorrow to my grave, without my friends, to die while still alive. [920] What holy justice have I violated? In my wretchedness, why should I still look up to the gods? Which one can I invoke to bring me help, when for my reverence they charge me with impiety? Source:https://records.viu.ca/~johnstoi/sophocles/antigone.htm

6. Teiresias is Back How does his appearance at the end of Antigone compare to his appearance at the beginning of Oedipus Rex? The rites had failed— there was no prophecy revealed in them. I learned that from this boy, who is my guide, as I guide other men. 25 Our state is sick— your policies have done this. In the city our altars and our hearths have been defiled, 1130 all of them, with rotting flesh brought there by birds and dogs from Oedipus’ son, who lies there miserably dead. The gods no longer will accept our sacrifice, our prayers, our thigh bones burned in fire. [1020] No bird will shriek out a clear sign to us, for they have gorged themselves on fat and blood from a man who’s dead. Consider this, my son. All men make mistakes—that’s not uncommon. 25 Source:https://records.viu.ca/~johnstoi/sophocles/antigone.htm

7. Flaws Antigone is loyal to her family, but only some members. She is also loyal to the gods ◦We hear Antigone express how she feels before being put in the cave, but we never get a revelation. Creon is stubborn and dedicated to the belief of state unity. ◦Creon admits his mistakes and asks for forgiveness, but no one is left around to hear him, only the chorus.

8. Plot When does the climax occur? When does Croen understand his mistake? Does Antigone every understand? How does the Chorus advise Creon?

9. State vs. Gods Creon is attempting to maintain order after a civil war. He will do anything to return Thebes to prosperity. In the process Creon becomes a tyrant. Antigone is willing to defy this law in order to rebuild unity within the state. She has the support of the people to a degree.

10. Motifs Loyalty – to state or family. Money – it corrupts all. Marriage