Antigone Exam

Study Questions

The exam next week will consist of two sections:

1) Quotation Identification and Analysis

2) Essay

In order to prepare for the exam, read through all of your notes and quotation reflections. Jot down notes and informal outlines for all of the essays below. Find quotations for each essay. You will be allowed one page of notes on the exam to help you on the essay question.

One of the following three essays questions will be on the exam. You will be asked to write a well-organized and well-supported essay in class after you complete the first section. You will have about 40 minutes to complete the essay, so prepare carefully.

1. Analyze and explain how Creon’s actions in the play exemplify the Greek concepts of arete, hubris, hamartia, ate, and dike (nemesis). Find one or two examples to support each concept. Be sure to explain how the examples you are using are appropriate illustrations of the particular concept. In your conclusion, based on your discussion of these concepts, evaluate Creon’s behavior as a human being and as a ruler.
2. Analyze Ismene and Haimon’s roles as foils to Antigone and Creon. What do their characters reveal about their counterparts?
3. Analyze the play as a whole through the final four lines of the play.

“Wisdom is by far the greatest part of joy.

Reverence towards the gods must be safeguarded.

The mighty words of the proud are paid in full with mighty blows of fate.

At long last those blows will teach us wisdom.”