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Antigone
The play 'Antigone' is at least 2,440 years old. Still timely nevertheless are its main concerns over what to do about a bad law and how far to go for the sake of love or justice. Contributors typically ask and answer questions about the play's author, characters, imagery, literary devices, plot, and relationship to other plays of the same themes or time period.
3,361 Questions
Why did Sophocles write 'Antigone'?
No one knows why Sophocles wrote "Antigone."
Specifically, only seven of the 120+ plays written by the ancient Greek dramatist (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.) survive. There is no surviving commentary by the author on any of his works and neither is there a surviving body of letters, biographies or autobiographies. But one can guesstimate that Sophocles felt a personal commitment since he was born in Colonus, the death place of Theban Princess Antigone's father, King Oedipus. Additionally, tragedy in ancient Greek royal houses was a hot topic for the cultivated, theater-going Athenian audience for which the competitive, cultured Sophocles wrote.
What role did the independent vote play in the 2008 Iowa caucus?
Independents voted heavily for Obama in the caucas and lifted him to victory over Clinton.
In Antigone does Haemon threaten his father as Creon thinks?
No. Haemon says to Creon, "...And dying she'll destroy--someone else," and Creon, blinded by his ego, automatically takes this as a threat to himself, when in reality his son is telling him that he, Haemon, will not survive his future bride's death.
What news does the corinthian messenger announce?
That Polybus is dead is the news that the Messenger brings from Oedipus' homeland and that the death is from natural causes is the reason why Jocasta is relived in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Theban King Oedipus fears his fate as his father's killer. But the Corinthian messenger lets Oedipus' wife Queen Jocasta know that Oedipus' presumed father, King Polybus, is dead from illness and old age. Jocasta welcomes the news since Oedipus is far away in Thebes and therefore cannot be said to bring about his father's death in Corinth.
What does the chorus tell Antigone about established law?
The chorus situates the laws of the land within the context of justice and god-given traditions. They identify the lack of respect to such a definition of law as rashful, sinful behavior that costs a ruler his city. In fact, the chorus specifies, 'When he [the ruler] honours the laws of the land, and that justice which he hath sworn by the gods to uphold, proudly stands his city'. In contrast is Theban King Creon's opinion on the laws of the land as distinct from, but as unchanging as, god-given traditions. Even when he finally decides to end the non-burial of the enemy dead, he says, '...'tis best to keep the established laws, even to life's end'.
Explain the situation between Antigone's brothers Polynices and Etiocles?
Etiocles refused to give up the rightful throne to Polynices when it was his time to rule, so Polynices led a fight against his very own city, Thebes. During battle, both brothers killed each other. King Creon properly buried Etiocles but left Polynices to rot in the sun and be eaten by scavengers for betraying his city.
How was it decided which sentry would bring the news about Polyneices to Creon in 'Antigone'?
Drawing lots is the way in which the sentries decide which one brings the news about Polyneices to Creon in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, the sentries find Polyneices' body partially buried under a layer of dust. A partial burial is still a burial. This violates Theban King Creon's edict of non-burial of the disloyal Theban dead, and the sentries are terrified about what happens to the messenger who brings bad news to the stubborn monarch of Thebes.
What omen does tiresias report in antigone?
He warns the king that birds were killing each other. And when he placed a sacrifice on the table and tried to light it, it just disintegrated.
Polynecies and Etecles, thoses are her brothers and her sister is Ismene.
How does Oedipus' mother die in 'Oedipus Rex'?
Suicide by hanging is the way in which Oedipus' mother dies in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Theban Queen Jocasta is Theban King Oedipus' mother. But he only learns of his true parentage many years after he is the respected ruler of Thebes by marrying his royal predecessor's widow. What he does not learn until just before Jocasta's death is that she is the biological mother who gives him up three days after delivering him.
According to aristotle the tragic hero expriences what as a result of the action of the play?
Self-recognition
How does the chorus first characterize Antigone's punishment in 'Antigone'?
That her behavior leaves Creon no choice is the way in which the chorus first characterizes Antigone's punishment in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, the chorus does not sympathize with Theban Princess Antigone. The members insist that she is every bit as proud, stubborn, uncompromising, uncontrolled and unlucky as her father, disgraced Theban King Oedipus. They make no mention about her courage and a lot of mention about her perceived character flaws.
Who did Jocasta think killed laius?
Before she believed it was a band of highway men but then she realized it was Oedipus who had killed him
When does Creon first suspect that he has acted incorrectly?
Theban King Creon questions the correctness of his actions only during his meeting with Teiresias the blind prophet. At first, he doesn't like the answers that Teiresias gives him. So he insults and threatens the prophet. The prophet finally reciprocates by warning Creon of dire days of grief, misery, and unbearable pain ahead. Creon quickly realizes that his household and his job are at stake. At that point, he backs down from his stubborn demands of obedience to his every will or death.
Who wrote over 100 plays and most famous work was Oedipus the king?
Oedipus Rex (Oedipus the King) was written by Sophocles.
Which best describes Creon's speech to his subjects at the beginning of Sophocles' Antigone?
I would say arrogant and haughty
What does Creon decree regarding Eteocles?
That Eteocles will be allowed complete and proper burial procedures and rites is what Theban King Creon decrees for his nephew. Eteocles dies in a recent armed challenge to his right to the Theban throne. The challenge is issued by Eteocles' twin brother Polyneices and a joint army of discontented Thebans and invading Argive.
Polyneices dies in the struggle. The Thebans win, and Creon makes an unusual decision about burial of the dead. He says that only those who die loyal to Thebes will see their god given rights to proper burial honored. Those who die disloyal to Thebes will be left to the disrespectful workings of weather and wildlife.
Who was responsible for the death of Antigone?
Creon. He ordered her death, but Antigone refused to be buried alive, and therefore killed herself by hanging.
What is a strophe in 'Antigone'?
A strophe is a stanza. During the stanza, singers dance from one side of the stage to the other. The stanza that's sung while dancing in the opposite direction is called the antistrophe.
What does the prophecy predict that Oedipus will do?
A prophecy predicts that future Theban King Oedipus will kill his father, Theban King Laius. It also predicts that he will marry his mother, Theban Queen Jocasta. As much as he tries to escape the prophecies, Oedipus ends up running closer to their fulfillment.
