Antigone: Prologue and Parodos - Selection Test

Which is an example of verbal irony as spoken by Antigone?

• "You have yourself to consider, after all."

• "You must decide whether you will help me or not."

• "... and if I must die, / I say that this crime is holy."

• "... if it means death, / It will not be the worst of deaths ..."

The Prologue reveals a major conflict between

• Eteocles and Haimon

• Antigone and King Creon

• Ismene and King Creon

• Polyneices and Antigone

In the Prologue, Antigone's attitude toward Ismene changes from

• hostility to love

• jealousy to friendship

• affection to anger

• contempt to admiration

Creon's decree that Polyneices shall not be buried is

• in accord with Greek religious practices

• popular with most Theban citizens

• rejected by Antigone as a violation of a divine law

• Creon's way of punishing Antigone

Antigone believes Polyneices deserves a proper burial because

• he did not attack Thebes

• he is entitled by birth to military honors

• Creon should respect his nephew

• he fought as bravely as Eteocles

How does Ismene serve as a foil to Antigone?

• a. She grieves for the loss of her brothers.

• b. She loves Antigone and wants to protect her from death.

• c. She chooses to follow human laws rather than the laws of the gods.

• d. She believes women are stronger than men.

What personality traits make Ismene an effective foil for Antigone?

• Ismene is passive whereas Antigone is active.

• Ismene is happy and Antigone is angry.

• Ismene likes peace but Antigone prefers war.

• Ismene loved her brothers as did Antigone.

Match the description on the left to the character.

• Antigone

• the brother who is refused burial

• the Choragos

• the person who leads the Chorus

• Eteocles

• the king of Thebes

• Polyneices

• the brother who is buried with full honors

• Creon

• the sister who believes she must disobey the civil law

in her relationship with Ismene, does Antigone reveal any qualities that are not admirable? What are her weaknesses, if any? Write a paragraph explaining your point of view. Support your interpretation with details from the play.