Antigone (Scene 1): Enter the King

According to Creon, what deserves the highest loyalty?

• The Gods

• The State

• Family

• Personal beliefs

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What does the sentry’s behavior suggest about Creon’s reputation?

• Creon is greatly feared and expects his orders to be carried out completely.

• Creon is a kind and benevolent ruler.

• The sentry is indifferent to Creon’s commands.

• The sentry is defiant against Creon and denounces his decisions.

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What has the sentry (aka 'guard') discovered?

• Someone has buried Polyneices' body, defying Creon's decree.

• The whereabouts of a long sought-after treasure.

• Nothing.

• A secret, underground tunnel leading to the Argives' fortress.

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How does this announcement by the sentry (guard) heighten the conflict?

[Select TWO from the options below.]

• Creon will be looking for the rebel.

• The audience suspects that Antigone buried her brother Polyneices.

• It puts to rest Creon's worries at last.

• The sentry has finally earned King Creon's respect.

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What does Creon ask the sentry to do?

• Guard the palace gates until dusk settles.

• Bring him the man who has buried Polyneices.

• Bring him the woman who has buried Polyneices.

• Stand watch and listen for the Argives' army.

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Why does Creon’s tone change from the time he enters the stage to when he exits, after the sentry (guard) brings the news about Polyneices’ body?

• Though Creon was mourning the death of his two nephews at the beginning of the scene, the guard’s news of Polyneice’s body strengthens Creon’s desire to be a firm, upright leader.

• Though Creon was feeling uncertain about his abilities to rule a place as celebrated as Thebes at the beginning of the scene, by the time he leaves, he feels confident in his ability to handle anything.

• Though Creon was feeling confident in himself and Thebes at the beginning of the scene, the guard’s news of someone’s defiance of the edict shakes his confidence and leaves him frightened.

• Though Creon welcomes the advice of the counsel of the Chorus and its leader at the beginning of the scene, by the time he leaves, he realizes that the Chorus and its leader only tell him what he wants to hear.

Answer explanation

Creon explains the type of leader he wants to be, and he welcomes the presence of the Chorus and its leader. By the end of the scene, however, he senses a threat to his authority, and it makes him nervous and reactionary.

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Read the following excerpt from Ian Johnston's translation of Antigone:

GUARD: Do I have your permission to speak now,
or do I just turn around and go away?

CREON: But I find your voice so irritating—
don’t you realize that?

GUARD: Where does it hurt? Is it in your ears or in your mind?

CREON: Why try to question where I feel my pain?

GUARD: The man who did it—he upsets your mind.
I offend your ears.

CREON: My, my, it’s clear to see
it’s natural for you to chatter on.

GUARD: Perhaps. But I never did this.

CREON: This and more—you sold your life for silver.

GUARD: How strange and sad when the one who sorts this out gets it all wrong.

CREON: Well, enjoy your sophisticated views.
But if you don’t reveal to me who did this,
you’ll just confirm how much your treasonous gains
have made you suffer.

Exit CREON back into the palace. The doors close behind him.

GUARD: Well, I hope he’s found.
That would be best. But whether caught or not—
and that’s something sheer chance will bring about—
you won’t see me coming here again.
This time, against all hope and expectation,
I’m still unhurt. I owe the gods great thanks.

Exit the GUARD away from the palace

Which line or lines from the excerpt BEST show that the guard has changed in his sense of obligation to the king?

• Do I have your permission to speak now, / or do I just turn around and go away?

• The man who did it—he upsets your mind. / I offend your ears.

• How strange and sad when the one who sorts this out gets it all wrong.

• But whether caught or not— / and that’s something sheer chance will bring about— / you won’t see me coming here again.

Answer explanation

These lines show that the guard no longer feels obligated to report to the king.

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Which of the following lines from Antigone contains an example of an oxymoron?

• "Sold your soul for some silver; that's all you've done."

• "It is not what I say, but what has been done, that hurts you."

• "You must not punish me for what someone else has done."

• "How dreadful it is when the right judge judges wrong!"

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Which of the following lines from Antigone contains an example of a metaphor?

• "As long as I am King, no traitor is going to be honored with the loyal man."

• "...our Ship of State, which recent storms have threatened to destroy, has come safely to harbor at last..."

• "...no Ruler can expect complete loyalty from his subjects until he has been tested..."

• "You will give no support to whoever breaks this law."

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Which of the following lines from Antigone contains an example of dramatic irony?

• "And the man who dared do this?"

• "...unless you bring me the man, You will get little profit from them in the end."

• "'Bring me the man' -! I'd like nothing better than bringing him the man!"

• All of the above

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