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.

• Creon

• the sister who believes she must disobey the civil law

• Eteocles

• the person who leads the Chorus

• Polyneices

• the brother who is refused burial

• the Choragos

• the king of Thebes

• Antigone

• the brother who is buried with full honors

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.