Study Guide

Question 1

What is Antigone’s attitude toward death?

Answer 1

She does not fear death and chooses burial as an act of honor and sacrifice.

Question 2

What is Creon’s main flaw?

Answer 2

Creon’s stubbornness guides him in his decision making.

Question 3

Who are the main characters in Antigone?

Answer 3

Creon, Oedipus, Jocasta, Antigone, Polyneices, Eteocles, Haemon, Eurydice, Tiresias.

Question 4

What is Creon’s relationship to Antigone?

Answer 4

Creon is the uncle of Antigone.

Question 5

Who are Antigone’s parents?

Answer 5

Oedipus is her father and Jocasta is her mother.

Question 6

Who is Haemon?

Answer 6

Haemon is the son of Creon and Antigone’s fiancé.

Question 7

What is the role of Tiresias in the play?

Answer 7

Tiresias is the blind prophet.

Question 8

What is the family tree structure related to Antigone?

Answer 8

Laius — Oedipus — Antigone, Polyneices, Jocasta, Creon, Ismene, Eteocles.

Question 9

What makes Creon a tragic hero?

Answer 9

His stubbornness and flaws lead to his downfall, aligning with Aristotle’s guidelines for a tragic hero.

Question 10

Who is Laertes?

Answer 10

Father of Odysseus.

Question 11

Who is Eumaeus?

Answer 11

The swineherd.

Question 12

Who is Antinous?

Answer 12

One of the suitors.

Question 13

What does Melanthus do?

Answer 13

Betrays Odysseus.

Question 14

Who is Calypso?

Answer 14

Captor of Odysseus.

Question 15

Who is King Aeolus?

Answer 15

Keeper of the winds.

Question 16

Who is Polyphemus?

Answer 16

Son of Poseidon, a Cyclops.

Question 17

Who is Circe?

Answer 17

The enchantress.

Question 18

Who is Tiresias?

Answer 18

The blind prophet.

Question 19

Who is King Alcinous?

Answer 19

King of Phaeacia.

Question 20

Who is Princess Nausikaa?

Answer 20

Princess of Phaeacia.

Question 21

Who is Athena?

Answer 21

Goddess of wisdom.

Question 22

Who is Poseidon?

Answer 22

God of the Sea, father of Polyphemus.

Question 23

What is the function of the Chorus?

Answer 23

Sets the mood of the play.

Question 24

What is the function of masks in Greek drama?

Answer 24

To distinguish characters.

Question 25

What is Sophocles' background?

Answer 25

Lived during the Golden Age of Athens and wrote 123 tragedies.

Question 26

What is the purpose of tragedy?

Answer 26

To purge or cleanse unsettling emotions. To arouse pity and fear in the audience.

Question 27

What is the definition of a tragic hero?

Answer 27

A character with a tragic flaw leading to their ultimate downfall.

Question 28

What is the conflict in Antigone vs. Creon?

Answer 28

Law vs. morality.

Question 29

What does Antigone speak about?

Answer 29

Divine law, family duty, and her views on death.

Question 30

What are Creon's views?

Answer 30

He believes in state power and does not see women as equal to men.

Question 31

What is Haemon's argument with Creon?

Answer 31

He appeals to Creon's emotions and logic.

Question 32

What is Ismene's role?

Answer 32

She initially resists Antigone's plan due to fear of punishment.

Question 33

What is Tiresias's warning?

Answer 33

He warns Creon about the consequences of his actions.

Question 34

What should you be able to identify for each chapter?

Answer 34

Each chapter's main plot points.

Question 35

What scene should you review regarding Odysseus's journey to the Underworld?

Answer 35

The scene where Odysseus is instructed to seek prophecy from a specific seer.

Question 36

Who delivers the directive to Odysseus regarding the Underworld?

Answer 36

Tiresias: the Blind Prophet.

Question 37

What is the symbolic power of the bow in Odysseus's story?

Answer 37

It symbolized that the suitors are prey and Odysseus is a predator. Because Odysseus only uses his bow to hunt.

Question 38

Which character curses Odysseus?

Answer 38

Polyphemus calls upon Poseidon to curse Odysseus.

Question 39

How does Eurycleia recognize Odysseus?

Answer 39

She sees the scar on his body.

Question 40

How does Penelope test Odysseus?

Answer 40

By telling the maids to move the marital bed.

Question 41

What is Athena's role in the epic poem?

Answer 41

Study her divine intervention throughout the book.

Question 42

Who gives Odysseus protection before meeting Circe?

Answer 42

Hermes gives him moly, a magic root.

Question 43

What is Odysseus known as?

Answer 43

The man of twists and turns.

Question 44

Who is Penelope?

Answer 44

The wife of Odysseus.

Question 45

Who is Telemachus?

Answer 45

The son of Odysseus.

Question 46

What is the Trojan War?

Answer 46

The Trojan War is a legendary conflict between the Greeks and the city of Troy.

Question 47

How was Odysseus enlisted in the Trojan War?

Answer 47

Odysseus pretended to be crazy to avoid enlistment but was forced to join.

Question 48

How did Odysseus help end the Trojan War?

Answer 48

Odysseus devised the plan of the Trojan Horse, leading to the fall of Troy.

Question 49

What is Oral Storytelling?

Answer 49

Oral Storytelling is the practice of telling stories through talking or singing.

Question 50

What is Xenia?

Answer 50

Xenia is the concept of hospitality and welcoming guests.

Question 51

Provide an example of Xenia.

Answer 51

An example of Xenia is offering food and shelter to travelers.

Question 52

What is Kleos?

Answer 52

Kleos refers to glory or honor gained through heroic deeds.

Question 53

Provide an example of Kleos.

Answer 53

An example of Kleos is a warrior being remembered for their bravery in battle.

Question 54

What is Nostos?

Answer 54

Nostos is the theme of homecoming or returning home.

Question 55

Provide an example of Nostos.

Answer 55

An example of Nostos is Odysseus's journey back to Ithaca.

Question 56

What are the steps to the Hero's Journey?

Answer 56

The steps include Status Quo, Call to Adventure, Assistance, Departure, Trials, Approach, Crisis, Treasure, Result, Return, New Life, and Resolution.

Question 57

Where to place commas, slashes, and periods in citations?

Answer 57

Commas go before a quote, slashes go at the end of every line, and periods go at the end of sentences and after/in the citation.