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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the initial result when Eteocles refuses to honor the agreement with Polynices?
(a) A war breaks out.
(b) The throne is ceded to a relative.
(c) A new agreement is drawn up.
(d) A marriage is arranged.

2. What does Ismene ask Antigone after Antigone says that she has considered all of the possible consequences of her proposed actions in Part 2?
(a) If Antigone really thinks her plan will work.
(b) If Antigone doesn't want to live.
(c) If Antigone will leave Ismene her treasured brooch.
(d) If Antigone wants to go to breakfast.

3. In Part 2, what does the person who confronts Antigone say in response to Antigone's reply about where she had been?
(a) That Antigone is different from her sister.
(b) That Antigone's mother would be disappointed if she were still alive.
(c) That Antigone was raised carefully.
(d) All answers are correct.

4. What is Antigone's response to Ismene's reply when Antigone tells Ismene about her plan?
(a) She agrees and offers Ismene another option.
(b) She disagrees and begins to pack.
(c) She leaves the room angrily.
(d) She refuses, saying that it is the way things are meant to be.

5. Why isn't the boy alone on the side of the stage laughing and talking with the other characters?
(a) His father forbade him to speak to people above his station in life
(b) He is shy.
(c) He is tasked with bringing news of Haemon's death.
(d) He is listening intently to the conversation.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Part 3, why did Antigone say that she was telling Haemon all the things she was telling him?

2. What is Creon's occupation?

3. How is Haemon related to Antigone?

4. What does Antigone ask of Nurse when Nurse enters the room?

5. In Part 2, for what does the Nurse chastise Antigone and Ismene?

Short Essay Questions

1. After learning that everyone is dead, Creon leaves to make a council meeting. What is ironic about this?

2. What does Creon finally reveal to Antigone in Part 5 that leaves her confused?

3. Tragedy is often seen as a spectacle, something to gawk at and comment upon. In Part 4, how does tragedy as a spectacle become pertinent to the storyline?

4. What is the role of the Messenger, and why is he sitting away from the rest of the group?

5. Do you think Antigone's single-minded efforts to bury her brother are more about her attempts to get attention or gaining respect for her brother?

6. What is ironic about Ismene's plea to Antigone to give up her plan to bury Polynices?

7. What does the Chorus say about tragedy, and what significance does this have in Part 4?

8. What might Creon's failed attempts to cover up Antigone's betrayal represent to the author?

9. Who was responsible for Oedipus's death and why? What did Oedipus do before he died?

10. What do you think is the symbolism of the child's shovel left beside Polynices's body in Part 4?

(see the answer keys)

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