0
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
What is the climate in Thebes at the time of 'Antigone'?
That Thebans are ashamed of their royal house, depressed over the recent civil war and fearful of the futureis what the climate is like in Thebes at the time of "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Thebans live with the shame of not knowing that beloved Theban monarchs Oedipus and Jocasta are in an albeit unknowing incestuous relationship and that Oedipus also is the killer of his father and royal predecessor, King Laius. They feel depressed over the recent civil war over the Theban royal succession
How does Creon show he is guilty of pride?
He realizes that everyone is dying that is close to him and they have shown that it was his fault for not listening.
What do the city elders look forward to in 'Antigone'?
It is to current tasks that the city elders look forward to in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, the chorus of Theban elders indicates that they do not know what will happen to disgraced Theban King Creon. They note that they need to take care of pressing matters of the here and now. They observe that future tasks will be done in good time and that Creon's fate is a matter of future concern. This observation reflects the fact that punishment is determined by the gods, not mortals.
What does Creon accuse Teiresias of wanting to do to him in 'Antigone'?
To turn him into a target is what Creon accuses Teiresias of wanting to do to him in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Theban King Creon feels defensive about his edict denying to Theban traitors the god-given rights of all Thebans to below ground burials. Teiresias observes that Creon's edict is responsible for a pestilential environment, polluted altars and wrathful gods because of unburied Theban bodies. Creon responds that Teiresias and other disgruntled Thebans just find it easy to try to blame the king for everything that goes wrong in Thebes.
How does Antigone see Ismene's decision not to disobey the king's order in 'Antigone'?
That she is blasphemous, cowardly selfish and unworthy is the way in which Antigone sees Ismene's decision not to disobey the king's order in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone cannot stand idly by while her brother Polyneices' body is disfigured and dismembered by weather and wildlife. She criticizes her sister Princess Ismene for being cowed by their uncle King Creon's illegal edict of non-burial of the disloyal Theban dead. She describes Ismene as disrespecting their family as well as the gods and traditions of Thebes.
To what fable does Haemon refer in 'Antigone'?
"The Oak and the Reed" is the fable to which Aesop (ca. 620 B.C.E. - 564 B.C.E.) refers in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Theban Prince Haemon argues for flexibility versus rigidity in personal happiness and professional success. He gives the examples of boat sails being adjusted to the winds and of tree branches moving with the wind. In the fable to which Haemon refers, the rigid oak is blown over in a storm that the reed survives by going with the flow.
What happens when Oedipus arrives at Colonus in 'Oedipus at Colonus'?
That he recognizes it as his place of death is what happens when Oedipus arrives at Colonus in "Oedipus at Colonus" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Oedipus arrives at Colonus just outside Athens. He attempts to rest in a grove that is sacred to the Furies of fate. Area residents make an effort to shoo away the disgraced Theban king. But Oedipus recalls the one positive part of a three part prophecy: he will die a special death in a place sacred to the Furies, his death will bring luck to the area and its people.
How does Antigone justify breaking the law?
In the play 'Antigone', the main character of the same name breaks a recent law. The law forbids burial rights to disloyal Theban dead. This law thereby violates the prior, enduring laws by which the gods expect Thebans to lead life and make ready for death. Specifically, the divine laws guarantee the honor of proper burial to all Thebans. And that becomes Antigone's justification for her civil disobedience. She must choose between obeying god-given Theban traditions or her uncle's royal decrees. She opts for good standing with the gods over good standing with mortals.
Why does Antigone bring her sister Ismene outside the palace in the opening moments of the play?
to tell her about her plan to bury her brother
What are some quotes from 'Antigone'?
Quotes from the play 'Antigone' may serve to remind readers of the plot, to generate discussion. One such early example is the observation by the main character of the same name that '...I owe a longer allegiance to the dead than to the living: in that world I shall abide for ever'. Another is Ismene's characterization of her sister Antigone as 'Thou hast a hot heart for chilling deeds'. Still another is Ismene's warning, 'A hopeless quest should not be made at all'. And the chorus has the concluding advice of 'Nothing that is vast enters into the life of mortals without a curse' and of 'Wisdom is the supreme part of hapiness... . Great words of prideful men are ever punished with great blows, and, in old age, teach the chastened to be wise'.
What has he decided to do with the sisters?
Creon decided to sentence Antigone to death, but let Ismene free because she was not guilty.
What is the origin of Oedipus' name in 'Oedipus Rex'?
The permanently swollen nature of his feet is what gives Oedipus his name in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, a rod is run through Oedipus' ankles when he is just three days old. The rod subsequently is removed, but leaves aftereffects. Permanently swollen feet and shuffling gait are among the consequences, of which the former is the actual meaning of the name Oedipus.
Free will is the philosophical opposite of predestination, or destiny. Predestination states your life has already been determined, while free will says all is choice.
What is antigones motive for burying polyneices?
Antigone has many motives for burying Polyneices, the first of which is that he is her brother. The ancient Greeks believed that if a body was left unburied, the spirit would never be able to cross into the underworld but would wander the shores of the Styx, unable to find rest. To allow that to happen to her brother was unthinkable. Furthermore, leaving the body unburied would contribute to the cosmic "pollution" of the community begun during the reign of King Laius, as well as physically polluting the community. Decaying flesh smells bad and brings all manner of disease and vermin.
Another motive has to do with the role of women in ancient Greek society. Women really had no role in society; they were kept in the household performing domestic chores and birthing and raising new Greeks. The only time they really had a role in society was when a family member died. It was the women who prepared the body for the funeral. The women also ritually mourned the dead, tearing their hair and flesh with their nails to demonstrate their grief.
The third motive has to do with Antigone's family tree. Antigone's family was cursed in her grandfather's time as a result of Laius stealing (and raping) the son of the king from a neighboring kingdom. Consequently, Laius was killed by his son, Oedipus, who then married his own mother, Jocasta. Eteocles, Polyneices, Antigone, and Ismene are the result of that union. The entire line of the house of Thebes is fated to make poor decisions which result in their own death, and often the deaths of others, due to the curse.
Fourth, and most basic, Antigone buries her brother because it is required by the gods. The ancient Greeks believed that honoring the laws of the gods was of utmost importance. The gods could make a person's life pretty miserable if they were displeased by him/her. Antigone argues that she does not obey the civil law because the gods law is greater.
Why does Ismene accuse King Creon of slighting his son?
In an attempt to save her sister Antigone's life, Ismene accuses her uncle, Theban King Creon, of slighting his own son Haemon. Specifically, she points out the great love between first cousins and fiancés Antigone and Haemon. Additionally, she calls a spade a spade by asking if Creon really intends to execute Antigone as his own future daughter-in-law and his own son's future wife.
How does Haemon feel about Antigone in 'Antigone'?
Admiration, love and loyalty are Haemon's feelings about Antigone in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Theban Prince Haemon praises Antigone, his first cousin and bride-to-be, for respecting divine law and protecting the rights of the Theban dead. He persists in his love for her and in his desire to not break the engagement and to be married to her. He defends Antigones rights to holding her own opinions and to following her own course of action.
How does Creon refer to the one who buries Polyneices in 'Antigone'?
It is as a man that Creon refers to the one who buries Polyneices in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Theban King Creon assumes certain things when he hears about the burial of the body of his nephew Polyneices. He assumes that the perpetrator is male. He also assumes that the perpetrator is the hired thug of his influential but cowardly opponents.
well, the children won't wonder why their family is broken and that they won't have to go in a little bit of a truama or depression why their family is broken and they won't really get jealous when they see other kids having both of their parents. And they would be proud to say "I love my family"
What role does Antigone's womanhood play in Creon's sentence in 'Antigone'?
No role at all is played by Antigone' womanhood in Creon's sentence in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.).
Specifically, Theban King Creon sentences his niece, Princess Antigone, to death for disobeying a royal edict that contradicts a far older divine law and cherished Theban tradition. He plans to have her die under a shower of hard, heavy, sharp rocks thrown at her by her fellow Thebans. But he changes his mind, not because of her womanhood, but because of her quick mind which he fears will turn her into a martyr with such a public execution.
What role does Creon play in 'Antigone'?
Theban King Creon plays two main roles in the play 'Antigone'. Dramatically, he plays the role of the villain. Functionally, he plays the role of head of state.
Why does Oedipus believe no one to be as sick as he is?
In his second speech in the play, Theban King Oedipus acknowledges the pain, impatience, and despair of Thebans over the unabated toll that famine, pestilence, and plague take upon their city and their fellow citizens. But he goes on to describe his sickened feelings of sorrow and powerlessness as the most extensive and intensive of them all. He specifies that others are touched by their own personal experiences, and those of their families, with scarcity, hunger, disease, disappointment, and death. But he as the ruler personalizes the tragedy of Thebes in terms of his own house and of the entire city.
Why is the teacher considered to be the mirror of the society?
It's not. The MIRROR is the mirror of society.
What curse does Oedipus repeat to polynices?
Oedipus repeats to Polynices the curse that Polynices and Eteocles, who are brothers, will kill each other in battle. The curse was put upon them by Oedipus, who is their father.
