Question

The prologue is an element of Greek tragedies that sets the play in motion. How does the opening scene in Antigone between Antigone and Ismene spark the play's action?
A. by revealing Antigone's plan of burying her brother against the king's orders

B. by highlighting the closeness of Antigone and Ismene's relationship

C. by focusing on the mood of the Theban citizens just after they have won a war

D. by contrasting the plights of Oedipus's unfortunate sons, Eteocles and Polyneices

Answer 1

The opening scene in Antigone between Antigone and Ismene sparks the play's action (A.) by revealing Antigone's plan of burying her brother against the king's orders.

Sophocles' play Antigone starts with a dialogue between Antigone and her sister Ismene, where Antigone tells her that she is determined to bury Polynices, their brother, despite Creon's orders. Ismene tells her sister that she will not help her to bury him and tries to convince Antigone to respect the law because Creon had ordered to condemn to death to anyone that dared to bury Polynices since he had been a 'traitor'. Therefore, while Ismene is submissive to the king, Antigone decides to break the law and pay obedience to a higher religious law instead.