Sophocles, Antigone

I. Background Information

Antigone is the third of three plays in which Sophocles tells the story of Oedipus’s family, a story that was already a part of Greek culture when Sophocles wrote in the fifth century B.C. In the first play, Oedipus the King, Oedipus discovers that he unknowingly killed his father and married his mother; shamed, he blinds himself and resigns his throne as king of Thebes. He leaves his mother’s brother Creon in charge as regent until Oedipus’s sons, Eteocles and Polyneices, can begin to alternate as king. Soon Eteocles takes his turn to rule as an ally of Creon, and refuses to yield to Polyneices. Conflict ensues, and in Oedipus at Colonus, each side tries (without success) to win Oedipus’s support. The battle for control of Thebes is the context within which Antigone begins.

II. Reading Assignment

• from the beginning through Creon’s exit on p. 135
• from Creon’s exit on p. 135 through the end (S)

III. Study Questions

1. After Antigone and Ismene talk privately, Creon announces an order. What does he decree in regard to Antigone’s brothers Eteocles and Polyneices?
2. Does Antigone comply with Creon’s order or break it?
3. What reason does she give for her conduct?
4. Does Antigone think that most others approve or disapprove of what she has done?
5. Whose side does Haemon (Creon’s son and Antigone’s fiancé) take?

IV. Outline of Topics for May 15

1. Who was Sophocles?
2. the conflict between Creon and Antigone
1. Creon’s argument
2. Antigone’s argument
3. the conflict between Creon and Haemon
1. Creon’s argument
2. Haemon’s argument