Antigone by Sophocles Flashcard Example #32879

Which is an example of verbal irony as spoken by Antigone?

a. “…if it means death,/It will not be the worst of deaths…”
b. “…and if I must die,/I say that this crime is holy…”
c. “You must decide whether you will help me or not.”
d. “You have yourself to consider, after all.”

The Prologue reveals a major conflict between

a. Eteocles and Haimon.
b. Polyneices and Antigone.
c. Ismene and King Creon.
d. Antigone and King Creon.

In the Prologue, Antigone’s attitude toward Ismene changes from

a. contempt to admiration.
b. affection to anger.
c. jealousy to friendship.
d. hostility to love.

Creon’s decree that Polyneices shall not be buried is

a. popular with most Theban citizens.
b. Creon’s way of punishing Antigone.
c. rejected by Antigone as a violation of a divine law.
d. in accord with Greek religious practices.

Antigone believes Polyneices deserves a proper burial because

a. Creon should respect his nephew.
b. he did not attack Thebes.
c. he is entitled by birth to military honors.
d. he fought as bravely as Eteocles.

The setting of Antigone is

a. Choragos
b. Athens
c. Thebes
d. Argos

Sophocles characterizes Antigone through all of the following methods EXCEPT

a. her actions.
b. her physical appearance.
c. her speech.
d. the reactions of other characters.

The penalty for going against Creon’s degree will be

a. stoning to death in the public square.
b. exile from the city forever.
c. death by hanging.
d. death by poison.

Polyneices was

a. Oedipus’ nephew.
b. Creon’s brother.
c. Ismene’s brother.
d. Antigone’s cousin.

In describing Ismene’s reaction to Antigone’s plan for Polyneices, Sophocles reveals Ismene’s

a. view of the role of women.
b. maturity.
c. independence from her uncle.
d. self-discipline.

How does Ismene serve as a foil to Antigone?

a. She loves Antigone and wants to protect her from death.
b. She believes women are stronger than men.
c. She chooses to follow human laws rather than the laws of the gods.
d. She grieves for the loss of her brothers.

In the Parados the Chorus recounts the story of

a. the battle between Polyneices and Eteocles.
b. Creon’s rise to power as King.
c. Oedipus’ killing of his father and marriage to his mother.
d. Oedipus’ banishment from the city and Jocasta’s death.

In the Parados the chorus expresses hope for

a. King Creon’s supremacy.
b. Dionysus’s blessing.
c. the destruction of Crete.
d. peace in the land.

Which of the following are NOT in conflict with each other in Scene 1?

a. religious law and civil law
b. Creon and the Choragos
c. Creon and the Sentry
d. the Sentry and the Choragos

What motive does Creon attribute to the person who buried Polyneices?

a. honor
b. greed
c. pity
d. fear

In Creon’s Ship of State speech in the beginning of Scene 1, he says that he will not do all of the following EXCEPT

a. set private friendship above public welfare.
b. be afraid to follow the course that he knows is best for the State.
c. harm any member of his own family even if they have broken a law.
d. have any dealings with an enemy of the people.

The Sentry is the one to bring news of Polyneices burial to Creon because

a. he was forced under fear of death.
b. he has lost the throw of the dice.
c. he is a friend of the King.
d. he knows it is the right thing to do.

According to the Sentry, what is strange or unusual about Polyneices’ burial?

a. The body is mounded with wildflowers.
b. Partially covered with soil, Polyneices’ body lies in a shallow hole.
c. The body is hidden beneath a shroud to protect it from wild animals.
d. Light dust covers the body.

Creon expresses all of the following values EXCEPT

a. family loyalty always takes priority.
b. kings must show conviction and never appear weak.
c. loyalty deserves respect and reward.
d. the stability of the state is most vital.

Sophocles reveals Creon’s character in Scene 1 by

a. having Creon speak.
b. narrating Creon’s actions.
c. describing his appearance.
d. disclosing Creon’s private thoughts.

What role does the Choragos play in Scene 1?

a. antagonist.
b. commentator.
c. protagonist.
d. society’s voice.

Which of these prevented Polyneices’ burial?

a. Creon’s decree
b. Antigone’s stubbornness
c. Greek tradition
d. divine law

What basic theme in classical Greek drama is explored in Scene 1?

a. Women are morally superior to men.
b. Brothers must never battle.
c. Kings are always tyrants.
d. Religious law is superior to civil law.

When Creon speaks of “doddering wrecks” in Scene 1, he is referring to

a. the remains of the Argos army after the battle.
b. the chorus.
c. the traitors who dare defy his rule.
d. the disastrous path of Oedipus’ family.

Creon declares that anarchists are behind the burial of Polyneices. What dramatic irony lies in the declaration?

a. The audience knows that it is the Sentry who buried him.
b. The audience knows that Antigone has buried him for religious, not political, reasons.
c. The audience knows that Creon secretly suspects Antigone but can’t accuse her because she is Haimon’s fiancee.
d. The audience knows that it is a priest who buried him.

The theme of Ode 1 is

a. the beauty of land and sea.
b. the wonders of human kind.
c. the Theban victory over Argos.
d. the battle between good and evil.

Creon says that he thinks Polyneices’ body was buried by

a. the Sentry.
b. anarchists.
c. Antigone and Ismene.
d. the Chorus.

Who is Menoikeus?

a. the lesser known brother to Polyneices and Eteocles
b. Creon’s brother
c. Creon’s father
d. the brother to Oedipus

Who does the Chorus suggest might have buried Polyneices?

a. Antigone
b. Ismene
c. the guards
d. the gods

The chorus has compared Polyneices and his armies to

a. a storm.
b. a mighty wind.
c. an eagle.
d. a bear.

The chorus has suggested that the battle has been won by the Thebans because

a. Zeus was on their side.
b. Eteocles had known their plan of attack ahead of time.
c. the armies of Argos had betrayed Polyneices.
d. Polyneices’ armies were poorly trained.

As the Sentry leaves Creon, he indicates that

a. he will be sure that Creon will not see him again.
b. he is glad he was the one to bring Creon the news.
c. he will soon be back with the one who broke the law.
d. he is angry enough to bury Polyneices himself.

At the end of Ode 1, the Chorus says, “Never may the anarchic man find rest at my hearth,/Never be it said that my thoughts are his thoughts.” These words seem to indicate that the Chorus is on the side of

a. the gods.
b. Antigone,.
c. Polyneices.
d. Creon.

In scene 1, Creon suspects __________ motivated the person who buried Polyneices.

a. conscience
b. money
c. loyalty
d. love

In the Greek tragedy Antigone by Sophocles, which event(s) reveals Creon’s tragic downfall?

a. the death of Antigone
b. the deaths of Eurydice and Haemon
c. the burial of Polyneices
d. the sentencing of Antigone

Aristotle is credited with __________.

a. creating dialogue on the stage
b. adding a third character to the stage
c. defining tragedy and its elements
d. using drama to highlight injustice

At which stage of the plot structure do conflicts build in intensity and complication?

a. exposition
b. climax
c. rising action
d. falling action

What is the biggest obstacle that Antigone must overcome to achieve her goal?

a. Eteocles’ rebellion
b. Ismene’s reluctance
c. Creon’s decree
d. Zeus’ anger

The rhetorical appeal of logos relies on __________.

a. the logic and reasoning
b. the speaker’s credibility
c. the recipient’s emotions
d. the tragic heroine’s flaw

According to Aristotle, how are plot events related in a tragedy?

a. through cause-and-effect relationships
b. through allusions that impact mood
c. through the songs of the chorus
d. through random acts of chance

Which character in Antigone by Sophocles is both a stock and static character?

a. Antigone
b. Creon
c. Teiresias
d. Sophocles

According to the parados, the ancient Greeks valued __________ in their culture.

a. humility
b. pride
c. fear
d. humor

HAEMON:
Your gaze makes citizens afraid—they can’t
say anything you would not like to hear.
But in the darkness I can hear them talk—
the city is upset about the girl.

What do Haemon’s lines reveal about Creon?

a. His physical features are gruesome.
b. He is to be feared.
c. He is hard of hearing.
d. He is approachable.

I see this house’s age-old sorrows,
the house of Labdakos’ children,
sorrows falling on the sorrows of the dead,
one generation bringing no relief
to generations after it—some god
strikes at them—on and on without an end.

What does the passage reveal about the beliefs of the ancient Greeks?

Which element of Greek tragedy is associated with tragic irony?

a. anagnorisis
b. catastrophe
c. hubris
d. peripeteia

CHORUS LEADER:
Against our land he marched,
sent here by the warring claims
of Polyneices, with piercing screams,
an eagle flying above our land,
covered wings as white as snow,
and hordes of warriors in arms,
helmets topped with horsehair crests.

Summarize this passage.

CHORUS:
Before his jaws had had their fill
and gorged themselves on Theban blood,

The imagery in this passage creates which mood for the audience?

a. humorous
b. fearful
c. serene
d. festive

Which character experiences anagnorisis?

a. Creon
b. Antigone
c. Haemon
d. Chorus Leader

Familial loyalty is more important than civil obedience.

Based on the thematic statement above, what did the ancient Greeks value?

a. honesty
b. family
c. loyalty
d. independence

The Greek term “anagnorisis” refers to the __________.

a. reversal of situation
b. scene of suffering
c. recognition
d. exodos

Where and when did Sophocles live?
Athens, 5th century BC
Sparta, 12th century BC
Memphis, 8th century BC
Syracuse, AD 3rd century

The philosopher Aristotle wrote an influential text on drama called…
Four Dialogues on Drama
The Poetics
Drama for Dummies
Sophocles and the Art of Theatre

What did Greek actors wear?
Togas
Black and red garb
Masks
Nothing at all

Greek plays feature a group of performers who sing, dance, provide exposition and interact with the other characters. This group is called…
Sappho’s “maidens”
The Chorus
The Bacchae
The Nymphs of Artemis

Who was Antigone’s father?
Oedipus
Creon
Apollo
Zeus

What does Antigone do when she is brought before Creon?
Defends her actions by explicitly asserting that the conscience is the highest judge of morality
Defends her actions by asserting the supremacy of divine law
Defends her actions by claiming that Creon has no legitimate claim to the throne
Defends her actions by threatening to start an armed revolution

Who does the Chorus consist of?
The Priests of Apollo
The soldiers under Creon’s command
The women of Corinth
The Theban elders

According to Aristotle, “the . . . metrical arrangement of the words” refers to _________.

diction
song
thought
plot

According to Aristotle, “the arrangement of the incidents” refers to __________.

diction
thought
song
plot

Which tragic element refers to the integration of the chorus into the plot?

spectacle
character
song
plot

Which playwright is known for criticizing political and social norms in his plays?

Sophocles
Aeschylus
Euripides
Thespis

According to Aristotle, tragedy revolves around the tragic hero or heroine’s __________.

rise to fame and fortune
reversal of fortune from good to bad
quest to find love
ability to overcome disaster

Which playwright is considered to be the “father of Greek tragedy”?

Thespis
Sophocles
Aeschylus
Euripides

A scene in ancient Greek tragedy is called a(n) __________.

prologos
parados
ode
epeisodion

According to Aristotle, the goal of the tragic playwright is to __________.

honor the god Dionysus
evoke pity and fear in the audience
reveal a reversal of fortune from bad to good
persuade the audience to rebel against the government

Which playwright is credited with adding a third character to the stage?

Thespis
Euripides
Aeschylus
Sophocles

Which character values family over law?

Eteocles
Ismene
Creon
Antigone

What motivates Antigone to defy Creon’s decree by burying her brother?

monetary reward
divine authority
human law
loyalty to the rebels

Now, dear Ismene, my own blood sister,
do you have any sense of all the troubles
Zeus keeps bringing on the two of us,
as long as we’re alive?

Which character speaks these lines?

Antigone
Polyneices
Eteocles
Jocasta

What is the biggest obstacle that the protagonist must face?

Isemene’s loyalty to the state
Creon’s decree
Antigone’s fear
Zeus’ anger

Which character does not believe women are equal to men?

Antigone
Ismene
Polyneices
Eteocles

Exit ANTIGONE away from the palace. ISMENE watches her go and then returns slowly into the palace

What do the stage directions reveal about the differences between the two characters?

Both Antigone and Ismene are loyal to the government.
Ismene is not loyal to the government, but her sister is.
Unlike her sister, Antigone is not loyal to the government.
Neither Antigone nor Ismene are loyal to the government.

Which two characters value the authority of the state?

Polyneices and Ismene
Polyneices and Antigone
Eteocles and Antigone
Eteocles and Ismene

Who reveals the details of the battle to the audience?

Eteocles
Creon
Polyneices
Chorus

What is not a purpose of the parados?

to reveal resolution
to provide exposition
to explain action
to highlight conflict

Which event causes the rebel army to retreat?

Zeus and Ares intervene.
Creon fires cannons at the rebels.
The Athenian army intervenes.
Polyneices sees his brother.

Sophocles chooses specific words and phrases to reveal the __________ of the speaker.

imagery
mood
exposition
tone

Dramatic irony occurs when __________.

the audience knows something other characters do not
some characters know something other characters do not
the characters know something the audience does not
the audience and the characters are aware of the situation

Which situations is an example of dramatic irony?

Polyneices fights against Thebes.
Antigone intends to bury Polyneices.
Eteocles and Polyneices kill one another.
Creon forbids the burial of Polyneices.

Which character suggests that the gods may have buried Polyneices?

Guard
Chorus Leader
Ismene
Creon

Which line creates dramatic irony?

These are the principles/I’ll use in order to protect our state.
Someone has buried the corpse and disappeared,
There are men assigned to oversee the corpse.
Don’t yield to those who contravene my orders.

Which question should be asked when characterizing the antagonist?

How do others respond to the antagonist?
When is the protagonist introduced?
Who is the protagonist?

Which character is the antagonist in the play?

Antigone
Ismene
Creon
Chorus Leader

What is Antigone’s motivation?

civil obedience
monetary gain
power
loyalty to family

Events that take place during the rising action are intended to __________.

confuse the audience
provide exposition
intensify the plot
resolve the conflict

What is Antigone’s goal?

to take over the throne
to bury Polyneices
to flee Thebes
to follow Creon’s law

“Tone” refers to __________.

the attitude of the speaker
the mood of the audience
the main idea of the passage
the stage directions of a play

Who creates the main conflict for Antigone?

Creon
Ismene
Haemon
Zeus

Antigone’s tragic flaw causes her to __________.

request permission to bury her brother
leave her brother’s body unburied
blame Ismene for her crime
defy Creon’s law and bury her brother

Which statement regarding the ancient Greek belief about the power of love is false?

A man can be ruined by love.
Love can cause family strife.
Eros controls love.
Gods are immune to the power of love.

The ancient Greek culture believed that __________ caused mortals to fall in love with one another.

Aphrodite
Eros
Zeus
Hades

Creon’s argument that he is older and wiser than his son is an example of __________.

ethos
pathos
logos
harmatia

Which rhetorical appeal relies on the emotions of the recipient?

ethos
logos
pathos
harmatia

Haemon’s argument that Creon’s choice to kill Antigone will result in Creon’s never seeing Antigone again is an example of __________.

ethos
logos
pathos
harmatia

Which character relies on the rhetorical appeal of ethos to make an argument?

Antigone
Creon
Chorus
Ismene

Which rhetorical appeal relies on logic and reasoning?

ethos
pathos
logos
harmatia

Which line from the play shows an example of an allusion?

“Look at me, my native citizens,”
“But Niobe was a goddess, born divine—”
“When I look at her I forget my place.”
“To be piously devout shows reverence,”

Aristotle refers to plot as __________.

“the reference to a person, place, or thing”
the desis (rising action)
the lusis (falling action)
“the arrangement of the incidents”

What is the purpose of an allusion?

to evoke an idea with minimal words
to show causal relationships
to distract the audience
to resolve conflict

Which comparison does the allusion to Niobe make?

Neither Antigone nor Niobe were of royal blood.
Both Antigone and Niobe mourn the loss of family.
Neither Antigone nor Niobe had children.
Both Antigone and Niobe were punished by a god.

Which character is a dynamic character in Antigone by Sophocles?

Chorus
Creon
Teiresias
Antigone

Which event occurs at the climax of the play?

Haemon attempts to persuade Creon to free Antigone.
Creon changes his mind and decides to bury Polyneices and to free Antigone.
Antigone is lead away to the tomb.
Antigone is arrested.

A(n) _________ character is a character type that is common in certain genres.

archetypal
static
dynamic
stock

Which character is a stock character in Antigone by Sophocles?

Creon
Teiresias
Antigone
Sophocles

What is the purpose of the paean?

to honor the gods
to entertain the audience
to create conflict
to provide exposition

What does Teiresias’ character reveal about the beliefs of the ancient Greeks?

Kings are wiser than prophets.
Birds are evil.
Gods punish the wicked.
Prophets are greedy.

Which statement explains how Teiresias’ character affects the audience?

The character has no effect on the audience.
The character causes the audience to feel peace and comfort.
The character provides the audience with comic relief.
The character causes the audience to feel anxiety and fear.

Which theme does Teiresias’ prophecy reveal?

Divine authority holds the ultimate power.
Human authority holds the ultimate power.
Each individual holds the ultimate power.
Family is the ultimate power.

A(n) __________ character is a character with few traits and who is not impacted by plot events.

archetypal
stock
static
dynamic

The Greek term “anagnorisis” refers to the __________.

reversal of situation
scene of suffering
recognition
exodos

Which term refers to a character’s tragic flaw?

katharsis
desis
lusis
hamartia

The Greek term “peripeteia” refers to the __________.

recognition
scene of suffering
exposition
reversal of situation