View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

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 did Antigone say that she wanted Haemon to do when she visited him the previous evening?

3. What is Creon's wife doing when she is introduced?

4. What is Antigone wishing in Part 1?

5. Who confronts Antigone in the beginning of Part 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who were the brothers who fought for the throne? How were they related to Antigone? Why might their demise be so important to the plot of the story?

2. How does Antigone react to what the Nurse says about Antigone's mother in Part 2?

3. Elaborate on the purpose of the play's vague setting.

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

5. What does Antigone ask the Nurse to do with her dog? Why is Antigone asking this of the Nurse?

6. Many of Antigone's actions can be defined as either selfish or unselfish. Some may blur the lines. In Part 3, do you think Antigone's treatment of Haemon is selfish or unselfish, or can an argument be made for a bit of both?

7. 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?

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

9. In examining Antigone, one is drawn to the conclusion that Anouilh is influenced greatly by the genre of Greek tragedy. There are several key differences, however. One of those differences is the role of the gods in the lives of common men and women. In what manner does Anouilh firmly plant his storyline in the modern day by supplanting man's influence for the influence the gods?

10. The tragedy of lost lives for the sake of a political statement is one that permeates even into modern times. What message do you think Anouilh was trying to convey through his play, "Antigone"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Up until the end, Antigone appears unsure of Haemon's true feelings for her. She wavers between thinking he desires Ismene to believing he loves her and her alone. Recalling passages from the play, what do you think Haemon's character represents? Do you think he represents true love? Perhaps he represents stability or honor or faithfulness. Explain what you think Haemon represents and why.

Essay Topic 2

Describe Creon's rise to King of Thebes. What was his previous governmental role? Why do you think he was chosen as ruler? Since his bloodline isn't the same as Oedipus's, what must he do to prove that he is worthy of the throne? Did his diverse treatment of Eteocles's and Polynices's bodies have anything to do with feeling that he must prove his strength and worthiness? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The climax is the penultimate moment of emotion in a story. Identify the climax of "Antigone" and discuss why you believe that is the climax. Do you think any other moment in the play qualifies? If so, what is it and why do you believe so? If not, explain what about this particular passage makes it the only climax of the story,

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,159 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample