Scribd
Upload
77 views2 pages

Global Context

This summary provides an overview of the key points from the document: 1) The chorus compares Antigone's fate of execution to the fates of Danaë, Lycurgus, and two royal sons who were also subject to death despite committing no harm. 2) Teiresias tells Creon he has made mistakes by displeasing the gods and advises him to spare Antigone and bury Polynices. When Creon accuses Teiresias of being greedy, Teiresias prophesies Creon will lose his son. 3) Creon finally changes his mind about freeing Antigone and burying Polynices because he is frightened by Teiresias'

Uploaded by

kai
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
77 views2 pages

Global Context

This summary provides an overview of the key points from the document: 1) The chorus compares Antigone's fate of execution to the fates of Danaë, Lycurgus, and two royal sons who were also subject to death despite committing no harm. 2) Teiresias tells Creon he has made mistakes by displeasing the gods and advises him to spare Antigone and bury Polynices. When Creon accuses Teiresias of being greedy, Teiresias prophesies Creon will lose his son. 3) Creon finally changes his mind about freeing Antigone and burying Polynices because he is frightened by Teiresias'

Uploaded by

kai
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

● The Chorus alludes to three Greek myths.

What fate does Antigone share with Danaë (1035), Lycurgus


(1051), and the king’s (Phineus) “two royal sons” (1066)? What purpose does this ode serve
○ This ode serves as a comparison between Antigone and the ones that came before her who were also
subject to execution despite doing no harm. The chorus is seeming to be reassuring Antigone and
themselves that the Fates will see that justice is prevalent, whether in this life or the afterlife. The
Chorus , in this paragraph, also mentions the act of being “doomed at birth” (1080) with can tie in
with the themes in Oedipus, Antigone's father, who was also doomed at his birth due to a curse from
the Gods. It can be inferred that their entire family line is cursed, as ANtigone is being put to death
for following the moral rules set forth by the gods. Antigone's final fate is death, a fate she shares
with Danae, Lycurgus, the two royal sons, and her parents.
● What mistakes does Teiresias say Creon has made? What does he advise Creon to do?
○ Teiresias tells Creon that his high resolve is “plaguing the city of Thebes' ' due to the fact that fire is
not being able to be lit at altars, showing displeasure from the Gods. He approaches Creon as a
friend and both of them seem to hold each other in high regards, due to the fact that Creon believes
Teiresias and that helped him take over the city. This prompts Teiresias, who gently advises Creon to
let bygones be bygones and find it in his heart to stop being admanet and let the issue rest as there
isn't any point in beating a dead horse. Hee is asking Creon to spare Antigone over heer burial of
Polyneices. “Never stab the fighter when hes down/Wheres the glory, Killing the dead twice over”
(1140)
● What does Creon accuse Teiresias of? After the accusation, what fate does Teiresias prophecy for Creon?
○ Creon accuses Teiresias of being greedy and essentially bribery. He called Teiresias prophecies a lie
and insisted upon Teiresias and “the whole breed of seers are mad for money”(1170) This represents
the height Creon's adamance, pride, and power quench, as he is able to slur insults at a trusted
advisor who only wishes th ebay for him since he is so blinded by the privilege and disability the
throne gives him. He believes he is better than every mortal ad on the same plane as the gods due to
his new influx of power. In response to Creon denouncing him, Teiresias prognosticates that Creon's
unquenchable need for “justice” and eventual acts of tyranny will lead him to lose his own son
“your own flesh and blood, a corpse for a corpse given in return” The Gods intend to punish Creon
for refusing to issue proper moral burial rites for Polynices by killing his son
● Why do you think Creon finally changes his mind about freeing Antigone and burying Polynices?
○ I believe Creon was frightened by Teiresias’ prophecy, not wanting to lose his own son over a
miniscule dispute. He shows development in this episode, as it's the first time the audience sees
Creon ask for advice and follow it. His vulnerability and ability to ask the Leader for his thoughts,
shows and gives the audience hope that Creon has the potential to be a good leader. He finally bends
to the will of the Gods after being faced with a very burdensome, even gruesome decision affecting
his familial setting. Him choosing to free Antigone and bury Polyneices was the most mature
decision he made throughout the play, and reflects back to the level-headed Creon we saw in
Oedipus.
● Find two passages in this scene that comment on pride.
○ Even when his son's life was at risk, Creon was still debating between the spirit of his only child or
following an unpopular decree that he sentenced. “I know it myself- I'm shaken, torn./It is a dreadful
thing to yield..but resist. Now? Lay my pride bare to the blows of ruin?/ That's dreadful too” (1220)
○ “Stubbornness brands you for stupidity-pride is a crime”(1137)

● How would you define pride? In your opinion, has Creon been guilty of pride, or has he been acting according
to the dictates of his conscience? Explain.
○ Pride in my opinion, is the refusal to take criticism on your actions and believing that your actions
are always correct. Humans are prone to mistakes, as Teiresias said, and the refusal to own up makes
you appear as if you belong on the same planes as the Gods. Creon fits this definition perfectly. I
believe Creon has obviously been blinded by the power offered to him as king of thebes, a position
he has advised dhis whole life but finally got to take over. Creon is a man who believes all his
actions are right and lawful, while blatantly ignoring will of the Gods, a notion that founded Greek
civilization. He believes he is acting by conscience and living his life to the letter of the law, but
really he is shaded from the reality that he is an unfit ruler for Thebes, serving as a “filthy
tyrant”(1172)
● Choose any quote (from this episode) that stood out to you (for whatever reason). Describe the sentiments
expressed in your selected quote and your reaction to it.
○ “Know you full well, you'll never buy off my resolve” (1180) This quote is in reference to his banter
with Teiresias. This quote stood out as it showcases a satiristic humor present in Creon. It also tied
back to many points Creon has chosen to make in previous episodes. All his accusatory monologues
always tie back into the point of bribery and humans being able to be sold out to the “highest
bidder” This line helps showcase Creon's character fully, a man with an undisputed resolve toward
justice and the law, wavering for no man.

You might also like