Discussion/Essay Questions for Monday

1. Why does Antigone feel it is her duty to bury Polyneices? Why doesn’t Ismene? 2. Why does Creon refuse to bury Polyneices? What does Creon’s fear to seem weak indicate? Creon threatens to torture the guard before killing him if he does not find out who buried Polyneices. What does this indicate abouthis ability to govern? 3. Explain the deaths of Antigone, Haemon and Eurydice. Why did they consider suicide an “out”? What measurements could each have taken to effectively deal with their situations? 4. Haemon says that Creon is surrounded by men afraid to speak the truth. Do “yes men” influence business and politics today? Do you ever find yourself saying what people expect to hear, not what you really think? Explain. 5. What does the play say about loyalty to the family versus loyalty to the state? 6. does Creon make in the course of the play? Do you find him sympathetic or an unsympathetic character? Why? 7. Discuss whether Antigone is admirable and worthy to be honored, or whether she is foolish and just as proud as Creon. 8. Antiogne is not to be stoned as originally planned. Why does this form of punishment suit Creon?