wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Antigone

Total questions: 13

Worksheet time: 27mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Who does Antigone attribute as being the cause of the family’s misery?

a)

Zeus

b)

Oedipus

c)

Ismene

d)

Polyneices

2.

Which of these sentences best describes what has happened to Antigone’s brothers as it is explained in the text?

a)

One brother has died and is being honored by Creon; the other brother has been banished from the city-state of Thebes.

b)

Both brothers have died and Creon is providing a great feast to honor his nephews before a funeral.

c)

One brother has died and is being given funeral rights; the other brother has died and is forbidden burial.

d)

Both brothers have lost in battle and have been ordered to leave the city-state of Thebes with Antigone.

3.

What do these lines from lines 38-41 most reveal about the tension between Antigone and Ismene?

ISMENE: But how, my rash, fond sister, in such case
Can I do anything to make or mar?

ANTIGONE: Say, wilt thou aide me and abet? Decide.

ISMENE: In what bold venture? What is in thy thought?

a)

Ismene views Antigone as powerless to create change and is worried for her sister. Antigone wants Ismene to help her but must first explain her plans.

b)

Ismene views Antigone as reckless and is reluctant to assist Antigone. Antigone wants Ismene to agree to help her without first knowing the plan.

c)

Ismene views Antigone as troubled and has decided to avoid Antigone. Antigone wants Ismene to explain how she can regain her trust.

d)

Ismene views Antigone as meddling and is annoyed. Antigone wants Ismene to undertake a journey.

4.

What does compulsion mean as it is used by Ismene in lines 63-66?

Therefore I plead compulsion and entreat
The dead to pardon. I perforce obey
The powers that be. 'Tis foolishness, I ween,
To overstep in aught the golden mean.

a)

An inability to make a decision

b)

A refusal to do what is required

c)

A duty to act according to the law

d)

An acknowledgement of uncertainty

5.

Which of these statements best describes what Antigone believes will be the consequences of her plan?

a)

She believes Creon will honor her.

b)

She believes she might be punished.

c)

She believes she will cause an uprising.

d)

She believes her sister will disown her.

6.

Which of these lines from the text best support the answer to Question 5?

a)

“For what of pain, affliction, outrage, shame, / Is lacking in our fortunes…”

b)

“I know ‘twas so, and therefore summoned thee / Beyond the gates…”

c)

“…I shall hate thee more / If thou proclaim it not to all the town.”

d)

“…the worst that can befall / Is but to die an honorable death.”

7.

Creon’s decree that Polyneices remain unburied is mostly based on...

a)

a sense of vengeance

b)

principle

c)

erratic behavior from Creon

d)

longstanding hatred for Polyneices

8.

Which of these lines from the text best support the answer to Question 7?

a)

“Elders, the gods have righted one again / Our storm-tossed ship of state, now safe in port. / But you by special summons I convened / As my most trusted councilors;”

b)

“Nor would I reckon as my private friend / A public foe, well knowing that the State / Is the good ship that holds our fortunes all: / Farewell to friendship, if she suffers wreck.”

c)

“For Polyneices 'tis ordained that none / Shall give him burial or make mourn for him, / But leave his corpse unburied, to be meat / For dogs and carrion crows, a ghastly sight.”

d)

“Eteocles / Who in his country's battle fought and fell, / The foremost champion—duly bury him / With all observances and ceremonies / That are the guerdon of the heroic dead.”

9.

Match the statements to the character that best show the beliefs expressed by Antigone and Ismene in the excerpt:

a)

We have had every imaginable sorrow in our family.

1.

Antigone

b)

Ismene

2.

I have no power to create change.

c)

Neither

3.

Neither

10.

Match the statements to the character that best show the beliefs expressed by Antigone and Ismene in the excerpt:

a)

Help me bury Polyneices.

1.

Antigone

b)

We must listen to what Creon has commanded.

2.

Ismene

c)

Neither

3.

Neither

11.

Match the statements to the character that best show the beliefs expressed by Antigone and Ismene in the excerpt:

a)

I prefer to follow the laws of Heaven than the laws of man.

1.

Antigone

b)

Women are weaker than men.

2.

Ismene

c)

Neither

3.

Neither

12.

Match the statements to the character that best show the beliefs expressed by Antigone and Ismene in the excerpt:

a)

I will hate you because you do not help me.

1.

Antigone

b)

I am afraid for you.

2.

Ismene

c)

Neither

3.

neither

13.

Order the following statements as they occur chronologically in the text.

a)

Antigone tells Ismene that a new decree demands that their dead brother remain unburied.

b)

Antigone asks Ismene if she will help defy the decree; when she expresses reservations, Antigone says she will no longer accept her help.

c)

Antigone announces she will defy the order, and asks Ismene to spread the news far and wide.

d)

The Chorus explains what has recently transpired in Thebes: the king and his brother have killed each other, and Creon is the new king.

e)

Creon declares publicly that the body of Polyneices is to remain unburied.

1)
2)
3)
4)
5)