Study Questions – The Prologue

1. What is the dramatic purpose of the prologue?

2. What problem does Antigone report to her sister ?

3. What does Antigone intend to do?

4. What is Ismene's reaction to this intention?

5. What is Ismene's view of the relationship between men and women?

6. Briefly analyze the characterisation of these two women in the prologue.

7. What dramatic purpose does the character of Ismene serve?

8. Why does Antigone, employing an oxymoron, say that she will be “convicted of reverence" when she refers to her proposed deed?

9. What conflict of values is represented in this phrase?