Extra Notes

ANTIGONE AND CREON

Antigone is the niece of Creon and Creon’s son is Antigone’s cousin who is the boyfriend of Antigone.

What do you think of this story?

-          I think that it is a strong example of many years when men took charge of everything and everyone and women never had the chance of freedom of speech, so therefore Antigone had to stand her ground and do what was right, despite the fears and consequences.

Why do you think Sophocles wrote this play?

-          To teach people that men and women are equal to the same rights and everyone has different opinions and beliefs and no one should be allowed to restrict you away from your beliefs and control you.

Why do you think the Greek audiences might have wanted to see this play?

-          Because it is interesting to actually look at what society is like and to see the retaliation of males and females when they are not allowed to do something, which could then result to them having a bad fate because they ignored the laws of the Gods.

What information does Antigone give to Ismene at the beginning of this scene?

-          That Creon has banned people from burying Polynieces and if anyone attempts to ignore the rules then they will be punished, which is being stoned to death.

What has just happened in the sisters’ family?

-          Their two older brothers were fighting against each and both killed each other.  The uncle of Antigone and Ismene forbids everyone to burry polynieces but later finds out that his niece (Antigone) attempted to bury her brother. After we learn that Creon turns into the fault of disaster and sorrow.

Does Ismene plan to join her?  Why or why not?

-          Ismene does not help Antigone at the start because she is scared if Creon finds out then she will have to die; towards the end she changes her mind because she wants to reconnect her relationship with her sister and become loyal to her again.