Antigone

Divine Law vs. Human Law

The central conflict in Antigone between obligations imposed by divine law and those created by human authority.

Fate vs. Free Will

The tension in the play where characters believe they are exercising free will while their outcomes seem preordained by fate.

Individual Conscience vs. State Power

The clash between Antigone's personal moral duty and Creon's authoritarian rule.

Stubbornness and Pride

The dangerous traits exhibited by Antigone and Creon leading to their tragic downfalls.

Suffering and the Nature of Tragedy

The pervasive theme in the play, showing how both Antigone and Creon endure immense personal tragedies.

Hubris

Excessive pride or arrogance that often leads to the downfall of a tragic hero.

Anagnorisis

A moment of critical discovery or recognition for the tragic hero regarding their flaw or truth.

Catharsis

The emotional release experienced by the audience at the end of a tragedy.

Hamartia

The tragic flaw or error in judgment that leads to the downfall of the hero.

Peripeteia

A sudden reversal of fortune, where the hero's circumstances shift dramatically.

Tragic Hero

A character of noble stature doomed to fail due to a tragic flaw.

Chorus

A traditional element in Greek tragedy that comments on the action and reflects on moral lessons.

Sophoclean Tragedy

A tragic structure used by Sophocles focusing on fate, flawed heroes, and moral lessons.

What is the main conflict in Antigone?

The conflict between divine law and human law.

Who believes they must bury Polyneices in Antigone?

Antigone believes she must bury her brother Polyneices.

What does Creon represent in the play?

Creon represents the state and enforces human law.

How does Antigone's action conflict with Creon's decree?

Antigone refuses to follow Creon's decree, acting out of personal moral duty.

What tragic flaw does Creon exhibit?

Creon's tragic flaw is his inflexible commitment to his law.

What emotional release does the audience experience in tragedies?

Catharsis is the emotional release experienced by the audience.

What is Creon's moment of realization called?

Anagnorisis.

What leads Antigone to choose to suffer?

Her convictions and moral duty lead her to choose to suffer.

What is the result of Creon's stubbornness?

Creon's stubbornness leads to the deaths of his son and wife.

What does the Chorus represent in Greek tragedies?

The Chorus represents the voice of the people and offers reflections.

What is a major theme of Greek tragedies as seen in Antigone?

Fate vs. Free Will.

What does hubris lead to in characters like Creon?

Hubris often leads to the downfall of the character.

What is Antigone's stance on family loyalty?

Antigone prioritizes family loyalty and religious obligation.

What symbolizes the tragic flaw in tragic heroes?

Hamartia symbolizes the tragic flaw in tragic heroes.

What critical discovery does Creon make?

Creon realizes his stubbornness has led to his family's deaths.

What is an example of peripeteia in Antigone?

Creon's decision to free Antigone occurs too late to prevent tragedy.

How does suffering manifest in Antigone and Creon?

Both characters endure immense personal tragedies.

What does the term 'Sophoclean Tragedy' imply?

It refers to the tragic structures focusing on inevitability of fate and moral lessons.

Why is Antigone considered a tragic hero?

Antigone is considered a tragic hero due to her unwavering moral duty.

What aspect of tragedy does Catharsis address in the play?

Catharsis addresses the purging of pity and fear experienced by the audience.

What ultimate tragedy does Antigone's choice reflect?

Her choice reflects the tragic consequences of defying human laws.

What leads Antigone to believe she is acting out of free will?

Her personal moral duty guides her belief in exercising free will.

What fate befalls Creon because of his pride?

Creon's pride leads to devastating personal losses.

What do the themes of Antigone reveal about human nature?

The themes reveal the conflicts between moral duty and societal expectations.