Characters

Question 1

Antigone

Answer 1

• Daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta
• Main character in ‘Antigone’
• Sister of Ismene
• Niece of Creon
• Engaged to Haemon
• Goes against Creon’s decree and buries Polynices
• Represents moral duty and familial loyalty
• Embodies the conflict between individual rights and state authority
• Strong-willed and courageous, she stands firm in her beliefs
• Her actions lead to tragic consequences, highlighting the cost of resilience
• Symbolises the theme of civil disobedience and the fight for justice

Question 2

Creon

Answer 2

• King of Thebes
• Uncle of Antigone and Ismene
• Brother of Jocasta
• Father of Haemon
• Creates the decree that Polynices can’t be given proper burial
• Believes in the importance of order and governance
• Struggles with the consequences of his decisions
• Ultimately faces tragic downfall due to his rigidity and pride

Question 3

Ismene

Answer 3

• Daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta
• Sister of Antigone
• Niece of Creon
• Microcosm of ancient greek women
• Initially hesitant and fearful of defying Creon
• Represents caution and the struggle between duty and fear
• Tries to persuade Antigone to obey the law
• Ultimately shows loyalty to her sister, even in her own way
• Embodies the theme of female agency within constraints

Question 4

Haemon

Answer 4

• Son of Creon
• Engaged to Antigone
• Loves her dearly
• Argues with Creon when he sentences Antigone to death
• Represents the conflict between loyalty to his father and love Antigone
• Advocates for reason and compassion in governance
• Tries to persuade Creon to spare Antigone
• Ultimately faces tragedy due to the clash of authority and personal values
• Embodies the theme of youthful idealism and the consequences of rigid authority

Question 5

Chorus

Answer 5

• A group of characters in Greek tragedy (and in later forms of drama), who comment on
  the action of a play without participation in it.
• Group of Theban elders
• Represents the voice of the community on the events of the play
• Offers moral and philosophical insights
• Reflects the audience’s feelings and reactions
• Serves as a mediator between the characters and the audience
• Highlights themes of fate, justice, and the consequences of human actions

Question 6

Tiresias

Answer 6

• Blind prophet of Thebes
• Possesses the gift of foresight
• Represents wisdom and the voice of truth
• Warns Creon about the consequences of his actions
• Embodies the theme of knowledge versus ignorance
• His insights highlight the dangers of pride and stubbornness
• Ultimately serves as a catalyst for Creon’s realisation of his mistakes

Question 7

Eurydice

Answer 7

• Wife of Creon
• Represents the personal cost of political decisions
• Initially appears as a quite figure but reveals deep emotional strength
• Reacts to the tragedy of her son Haemon’s fate
• Her sorrow highlights the theme of loss and impact of authority on family
• Ultimately takes her own life, symbolising despair and the consequences of Creon’s choices
• Serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of public and private suffering

Question 8

The Sentry

Answer 8

• A guard tasked with watching over the burial of Polynices
• Represents the theme of duty and the burden of following orders
• Caught between loyalty to Creon and the moral implications of his actions
• His character adds a layer of tension, as he delivers the news of Antigone’s defiance
• Shows moments of fear and apprehension, highlighting the consequences of political power
• Ultimately serves as a reminder of the human cost of war and authority