Study Questions for the Homework Assignment

Antigone (The Oedipus Cycle: pp.189-246)

Note: Provide specific examples from the book, including page numbers, when supporting your answers to the following questions.

1.) What is Creon's character regarding the laws of the city and loyalty to the city and the king, versus other loyalties such as family loyalty and divine law. (see particularly pages 196/197 and pp. 220/221)

2) Discuss whether you think Creon is primarily democratic in his outlook in believing that the will of the people should be the ultimate driver of city politics?

3) It has been argued that the conflict between Creon and Antigone symbolizes the conflict between human or secular laws and divine, or the gods' laws. The philosopher Hegel believed that such a conflict was irreconcilable. Judging from his play, what do you think was Sophocles' position in regard to this point?

4) Consider Ismene. Does Sophocles present her in a favorable light? Where does Ismene stand in regards to the conflict between divine versus secular law?

5) Turn to pp. 203-204 and read the choral ode. (An ode is a song of praise). This is a very famous ode often called the "ode to man." Whether the translation of "but none more wonderful than man" is accurate has been debated. Some have translated it with "most dreadful." How do YOU interpret this ode to man? Look specifically at the last 5 lines on page 204. These are translated by Fagles as follows:

"When he weaves in the laws of the land, and the justice of the gods that binds his oaths together, he and his city rise high - but the city casts out that man who weds himself to inhumanity thanks to reckless daring. Never share my hearth, never think my thoughts, whoever does such a thing." Considering these two translations, would you argue that the chorus sides with Creon or against him? You might want to reread p. 218 and 220/221 before you answer this question.

6) Do you think Sophocles gives Antigone credit for heroic and selfless defense of "divine law?"