Contents How to Use This Study Guide With the Text... 4 Notes & Instructions to Teacher... 5 Taking With Us What Matters... 6 Four Stages to the Central One Idea... 8 Introduction... 11 Basic Features & Background... 14 Appendix 81 Memorization & Recitation... 82 Final Memorized Poem... 84 Use Your Best Penmanship!... 84 Master Words-to-Be-Defined List... 85 Antigone 19 Pre-Grammar Preparation... 20 Grammar Presentation... 21 Logic Dialectic... 31 Rhetoric Expression... 34 Oedipus the king 41 Pre-Grammar Preparation... 42 Grammar Presentation... 43 Logic Dialectic... 52 Rhetoric Expression... 55 Oedipus at Colonus 61 Pre-Grammar Preparation... 62 Grammar Presentation... 63 Logic Dialectic... 72 Rhetoric Expression... 75 About the Editors Brett Vaden has written for Memoria Press and taught for the Memoria Press Online Academy and Highlands Latin School for seven years. He received his master of divinity degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and is currently working on a PhD in Pastoral Theology and Counseling. He is blessed to be married to Rachael and to be the father of Story, Arrow, and Harmony. Kate Janke joined the Highlands Latin School faculty in 2010 and lives in Louisville, KY. She has a BA in History from Hillsdale College and has also completed her MA in Theological Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She teaches Geography and Classical Studies in the Upper School at HLS and has taught Classical Composition online as well. She enjoys teaching private piano lessons and participating in the worship team at her church. David M. Wright is the Director and Writer of the Upper School literature curriculum at Memoria Press. He has taught AP Literature and English with a focus on the Great Books for the last ten years. He received his master s degree in English Literature from DePaul University in Chicago, and holds a Classical Teacher certificate from the CiRCE Institute. He is currently working on a PhD in Literature at the University of Louisville. He is the Founder and Director of the annual Climacus Conference in Louisville. His greatest blessings are his wife and five kids, ages 3-12. Contents 3
Antigone
Central Quote: Pre-Grammar Preparation Prepare to think about the play and its Central One Idea by drawing upon my prior knowledge, experience, or interests. 1. Think of a person in your life who you think is wise. What makes him or her a wise person? What has he or she done that demonstrates wisdom? 2. In the Bible, a sage once wrote, Do not be wise in your own eyes (Proverbs 3:7a). What do you think this saying means? Can you give an example of someone who was wise in his own eyes but actually very foolish? 20 Antigone Pre-Grammar Preparation
Grammar Presentation Discover essential facts, elements, and features of the play through the reading notes, defining words, and comprehension questions. Reading Notes 1. Eteocles and Polynices (59) the sons of Oedipus. When they came of age, they were to share the rule of Thebes, each ruling for a year and alternating every year. Eteocles ruled first, but when it came time for Polynices to rule, Eteocles refused. Polynices then attacked Thebes, and the brothers eventually killed each other in combat. 2. Glory! great beam of the sun, brightest of all that ever rose on the seven gates of Thebes (65.117) This line begins the chorus first song, which celebrates the victory of Thebes over the Argive army led by Polynices. The chorus describes the battle in figurative language, likening Polynices to an eagle and the Theban army to a dragon. The description concludes with the death of Eteocles and Polynices, who killed each other. The ode ends with the chorus calling Thebes to celebrate the victory in song and dance with the god Dionysus leading. (See Fagles note, p. 396.) 3. the Dirce s banks (65.121) In Greek mythology, Dirce was a nymph who became a spring that flowed in Thebes. 4. Lord Dionysus, god of the dance (66.171) Dionysus was the god of wine, festivity, and the theater. The chorus calls upon him to lead them in celebration for the victory over the Argives, and this fits Dionysus celebratory personality. 5. King Laius (67.185) the father of Oedipus. See Oedipus Family Tree on p. 425 of Fagles text. 6. Numberless wonders terrible wonders walk the world but none the match for man (76.377) This line begins the chorus first stasimon, which celebrates man. Among the many wonders of the world, man is the greatest because of his domination over the earth, his skill and brilliance, his ingenuity and resourcefulness, and his ruling of the city. The one thing that can stop man is Death. The man who rebels against the laws of the land or of the gods is inhuman and is headed for destruction. (See Fagles note, p. 397.) 7. Blest, they are the truly blest who all their lives have never tasted devastation. (91.656) This line begins the chorus second stasimon, which bemoans the sad fate of those whom the gods have opposed or destined for ruin. 8. Love, never conquered in battle (101.879) This line begins the chorus third stasimon, which blames Love or Eros (i.e., the Greek word for passionate, sensual love) for setting son and father against each other. Love is invincible and cannot be controlled, as is the case with Creon, who tries to force his son Haemon to side with him instead of the girl he loves. Creon s attempt only pushes Haemon away from him, and Aphrodite, the goddess of love, is the conqueror. (See Fagles note, p. 400.) 9. down to the banks of Acheron (102.905) Acheron was one of the rivers in Hades, the realm of the dead. Souls newly dead were transported by the ferryman Charon across the Acheron into Hades. 10. But think of Niobe well I know her story (102.915) As Antigone goes to her death, she compares herself to the goddess and Theban queen Niobe, whose tears of sorrow over the loss of her children turned her to stone. (See Fagles note, p. 401.) Antigone Grammar Presentation 21
Words to Be Defined animal s mouth deserving praise dig out disfiguring by removing ecstatic joy extra privileges, advantages feed excessively firm in principle impaired in thinking due to old age impossible to understand in pitiful circumstances intensely excited lighthearted offensive indecency one who has declined Definitions Bank ones who provoke overwhelming defeat pouring of wine prophet religious ceremonial acts rotting flesh rude behavior, speech society without government soldiers abreast in lines something utterly illogical swaggering display system of rule type, sort, breed uncontrollably emotional unthinkable 1. Hasn t Creon graced one with all the rites, disgraced the other? (60.27) religious ceremonial acts 2. to gouge out his eyes with his own hands (62.64) dig out 3. mutilating her life in the twisted noose (62.66) disfiguring by removing 4. But leave me to my own absurdity (64.111) something utterly illogical 5. his vast maw gaping (65.132) animal s mouth 6. glut his jaws with Theban blood (65.136) feed excessively 7. Zeus hates with a vengeance all bravado (65.140) swaggering display 8. mad for attack, ecstatic he breathed his rage (66.149) intensely excited 9. down the enemy ranks (66.153) soldiers abreast in lines 10. rapture of battle (66.155) ecstatic joy 11. putting safety to rout (68.208) overwhelming defeat 12. his corpse carrion for the birds and dogs to tear (68.230) rotting flesh 24 Antigone Grammar Presentation
Comprehension Questions 1. The play begins in medias res, or in the midst of dramatic action, with Antigone and Ismene discussing recent events in Thebes. What has been happening in Thebes? What recent law has been enacted? Thebes had been under attack by the armies of Argos, but they were recently driven from the city. Eteocles and Polynices killed each other in combat. Creon is now king of Thebes, and his new law forbids the city from burying Polynices, upon pain of death. 2. What does Antigone determine she will do, even though Ismene reluctantly refuses to help her? List some of the reasons Antigone gives for her decision. Antigone determines to defy Creon s law and to bury her brother Polynices. Her decision is based on the obligation she has as Polynices sister (61.55-56), her love for him (63.85-87), and the laws of the gods (63.91-92). 3. During Creon s first speech (p. 67), whom does he say is nothing? Creon condemns whoever places a friend above the good of his own country (67.203-204). 4. What is Creon s decree? What does Creon claim to be the reason behind his decree? Creon forbids all citizens of Thebes from dignifying Polynices with burial or mourning. He claims to have the good of the city in mind: since Polynices threatened Thebes and attacked it, he deserves the dishonor of a traitor, not the honor of a patriot. 5. How does the Leader of the Chorus respond to the sentry s news about Polynices body? How does Creon respond? The Leader wonders if the rites done to Polynices body might have been the work of the gods (72.315-316). Creon thinks it had nothing to do with the gods, but was done by some rebellious citizens who bribed the guards (73.328-334). 26 Antigone Grammar Presentation
Logic Dialectic Reason with the facts, elements, and features of the play; sort, arrange, compare, and connect ideas and begin to uncover and determine the Central One Idea. Socratic discussion questions: 1. Compare and contrast Ismene and Antigone in their responses to Creon s edict. Antigone assumes it is their duty to defy the edict for the sake of their brother. While Ismene wishes she could mourn for Polynices and bury him, she does not wish to break the law but to keep peace. 2. Where do Antigone s loyalties lie, with her city or family? In your answer, quote from Antigone s dialogue with Ismene and from her words with Creon. Antigone is loyal first of all to family. When Ismene asks her if she will really break the city s law, she replies, Yes! He is my brother [ ]. No one will ever convict me for a traitor (61.54-57). When Creon asks if she is not ashamed of her disloyalty, she says, Not ashamed for a moment, not to honor my brother, my own flesh and blood (84.572-573). 3. Which two characters present Creon with the most direct warnings against his law and judgment against Polynices and Antigone? Compare and contrast these characters. Haemon and Tiresias give the most direct warnings. Both men advise Creon to listen to correction from others, and both advise him to pardon Antigone and bury Polynices. Both say they have Creon s good at heart. Haemon is younger and less experienced than Tiresias. While Creon ridicules both counselors, he fully rejects Haemon s warnings, but eventually heeds Tiresias. Antigone Logic Dialectic 31
Rhetoric Expression Express in your own words the Central One Idea with supporting points. I Central One Idea 1. In a few sentences, briefly summarize the plot of Antigone. Ismene refuses to help Antigone bury their brother Polynices, so she does it alone, disobeying Creon s edict to the city. Antigone is discovered and boldly defies Creon to his face. Ismene appears and tries to join Antigone, and Creon binds them both. Creon s son and Antigone s betrothed, Haemon, advises Creon to listen to the people, who desire Antigone freed and Polynices buried, but Creon scorns this advice. Antigone, mourning her fate, is sealed up in a tomb. The blind seer Tiresias advises Creon to reconsider, but Creon accuses him of wanting money. So Tiresias pronounces this doom: for denying Polynices burial and for burying Antigone, Creon will lose a child. Creon soon realizes he should change course and so he goes to undo his mistakes. It turns out that Antigone had already hung herself, and Haemon found her first. When Creon arrives at the tomb, Haemon tries to kill him, but ends up committing suicide. When Eurydice, Haemon s mother, hears the news, she soon also commits suicide. Creon is overcome with grief and self-condemnation. It is made clear that his foolish and prideful deeds have led to his suffering. 34 Antigone Rhetoric Expression
2. Write the Central One Idea of Antigone in a complete sentence: 3. List three or four points that support your determination of the Central One Idea. Answers will vary. These points support the Teacher s Central One Idea: Creon s words reveal that he is not primarily motivated by the desire to govern his city well, but by his desire for mastery. He places himself above the city, and so he tells Haemon, Am I to rule this land for others or myself? [ ] This city is the king s that s the law! (97.823, 825) He also places himself above the gods: You ll never bury that body in the grave, not even if Zeus s eagles rip the corpse and wing their rotten pickings off to the throne of god! (112.1151-1153). Creon refuses to acknowledge his error when confronted by Antigone, Haemon, and Tiresias. It is not until Tiresias pronounces imminent personal loss to him that Creon relents. It turns out that his repentance comes too late, and he loses his son, wife, and sense of identity. 4. Choose a quote from Antigone that you think best embodies the Central One Idea. With good penmanship, write it in the Central Quote section. I Central One Idea (as expressed by the teacher) COI Particular: Creon is motivated most of all by a prideful desire for mastery over all others, even the gods, and this foolish, prideful preference for his own law over divine law leads to great loss for him. COI Abstract: Wisdom is by far the greatest part of joy [ ]. The mighty words of the proud are paid in full with mighty blows of fate, and at long last those blows will teach us wisdom. (128.1466. 1468-1470) Antigone Rhetoric Expression 35
Essay Option Choose a topic below and respond with a 3-5 paragraph essay that includes an Introduction with a clear thesis; a Body with organized, logical, and specific support of the thesis; and a Conclusion with an amplification of the thesis/support. The essay should feature appropriate tone, voice, and point of view; correct grammar, usage, and mechanics; a variety of sentence structures enhanced by subordination and parallelism; a balance of general and specific detail; and enhanced rhetorical effect through transition words, appropriate diction, strong verbs, descriptive adjectives, and other rhetorical devices. 1. Write an essay in which you define fate as it is presented in Antigone. Your essay should have a clear thesis and explain how fate is related to a person s deeds, and why or why not it is under a person s control. 2. Write an essay in which you compare and contrast Tiresias encounter with Creon and Nathan s encounter with King David in 2 Samuel 1:1-15. 3. [Central One Idea] Use the Central One Idea of Antigone as the thesis, and support it with some evidence from your reading of the play and/or your work in the Study Guide. 4. [Open] Write an essay in which you analyze an aspect of Antigone that is of import to you, such as a particular theme, character, setting, element of plot, dialogue, symbol, or other literary or rhetorical motif. 5. [Teacher] Essay prompt: Student Essay: 36 Antigone Rhetoric Expression