Antigone Study Guide: Greek Theatre, Tragedy, and Character Analysis

Who is the author of Antigone?

Sophocles.

What is the setting of Antigone?

The play is set in Thebes, a city in ancient Greece.

What motivates Antigone?

Antigone is motivated by her loyalty to her family and her belief in divine law over human law.

What advice does Tiresias give Creon?

Tiresias advises Creon to heed the laws of the gods and to bury Polyneices to avoid divine punishment.

What is the ship of state metaphor?

The ship of state metaphor compares the governance of a city to a ship, emphasizing the need for wise leadership to navigate challenges.

Does Antigone regret her decision?

No, Antigone does not regret her decision to bury her brother; she believes it is her moral duty.

Define tragic hero.

A tragic hero is a character who makes a judgment error that inevitably leads to their own destruction. In Antigone, Creon is considered a tragic hero.

What is harmatia?

Harmatia is a tragic flaw or error in judgment that leads to the downfall of a tragic hero. Creon suffers from harmatia due to his pride and stubbornness.

Define catharsis.

Catharsis is the emotional release experienced by the audience, often through pity and fear, as they witness the tragic events of the play.

Who is the god associated with plays?

Dionysus is the god associated with plays and theatrical performances in ancient Greece.

Explain the allusion to Niobe.

Niobe is a figure from Greek mythology who was turned to stone after mourning her children, symbolizing the themes of grief and loss.

Explain the allusion to Zeus.

Zeus is the king of the gods in Greek mythology, representing authority and power.

Explain the allusion to Io.

Io is a mortal woman who was transformed into a cow by Zeus, illustrating themes of transformation and suffering.

Explain the allusion to Mt Olympus.

Mt Olympus is the mythical home of the Greek gods, symbolizing divine authority and the connection between gods and humans.

Compare Antigone and Sophie Scholl.

Both Antigone and Sophie Scholl exhibit resilience and a strong moral conviction, standing up against oppressive regimes for their beliefs.