Antigone Quiz

Sigmund Freud

Father of psychoanalysis; developed the Oedipus complex.

Amphitheaters

Outdoor theaters where ancient Greek plays were performed.

Oedipus Rex

Greek tragedy by Sophocles, performed in the tradition of Athenian drama festivals honoring Dionysus, god of wine and theater.

Chorus

Elders of Thebes who represented the voice of reason and provided commentary and advice.

Delphi

Site of Apollo’s oracle, where people sought prophecies and guidance.

Oedipus

King of Thebes who solved the Sphinx’s riddle; unknowingly killed his father and married his mother, and his search for the truth led to his downfall.

Creon

Jocasta’s brother who becomes ruler of Thebes; his stubborn refusal to allow Polyneices to be buried leads to his downfall.

Eteocles

Son of Oedipus who defended Thebes; received an honorable burial after their deaths.

Sophocles

Ancient Greek playwright who wrote Oedipus Rex and Antigone; excessive pride (hubris) can lead to downfall.

Ismene

Antigone’s sister, who initially refuses to help bury Polyneices because she fears Creon’s decree.

Haimon

Creon’s son and Antigone’s fiancé; kills himself beside Antigone after finding her dead.

Antigone

Daughter of Oedipus who defies Creon’s decree to bury her brother Polyneices; believes honoring divine law is right rather than human law

Shepherd

The man who spared infant Oedipus by giving him to another shepherd instead of leaving him to die on Mount Cithaeron.

Zeus

King of the Greek gods; represents divine authority in Antigone, where the gods’ laws conflict with Creon’s decree.

Polyneices

Son of Oedipus who fought his brother Eteocles for control of Thebes; Creon denied him an honorable burial for attacking the city and being considered a traitor.

Semele

Mortal mother of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and theater; connected to the religious traditions surrounding Greek drama.

Jocasta

Mother and wife of Oedipus who tries to stop him from discovering the truth about his identity because she realizes the horrifying reality.

Aristotle

Ancient Greek philosopher who analyzed tragedy and drama, explaining tragic structure and concepts such as catharsis.

Athens

Ancient Greek city-state that served as a major center for drama festivals and theatrical competitions where tragedies by playwrights like Sophocles were performed.

Dionysus

Greek god of wine and theater, honored at dramatic festivals and competitions where plays were performed.

Eurydice

Creon’s wife and Haimon’s mother; kills herself after learning of Haimon’s death, blaming Creon for the tragedy.

Oedipus Sons’ Fate

Eteocles and Polyneices were destined to kill each other.

Antigone’s Fate

After defying King Creon’s order, she was destined to die

Teiresias' opinion of Antigone's actions

Creon is wrong to forbid the burial of Polyneices. Teiresias supports the divine laws Antigone is following and warns Creon that he will suffer if he does not change his decision.

Deaths in Antigone

Antigone, Haimon, and Eurydice

Sophocles' message

People should respect the gods’ laws, and excessive pride and stubbornness can lead to tragedy.