Question

antigone study guide: prologuemenoeceuslaiusjocastacreoneurydiceoedipusjocastahaemonantigoneismeneeteoclespolyneiceswhat antigonewants forpolyneiceswhat is her motivation for wanting this? incorporate text support.what creonwants forpolyneiceswhat is creon going to announce regarding the death of polyneices?what is the punishment?excerptantigone. you must decide whether you will help me or not.ismene. i do not understand you. help you what?antigone. ismene, i am going to bury him. will you come?ismene. bury him! you have just said the new law forbids it.antigone. he is my brother. and he is your brother, toohow does the opening dialogue between antigone and ismene establish the central conflict between personal loyalty to family and obedience to the state?ismene. think how much more terrible than these/our own death would be if we should go against creon/ and do what he has forbidden! we are only women; we cannot fight with men, antigone! the law is strong, we must give in to the law/ in this thing, and in worse. i beg the dead/ to forgive me, but i am helpless; i must yield/ to those in authority. and i think it is dangerous business/ to be always meddling.what three reasons does ismene give to not help antigone?1.2.3.

Explanation:

1. Creon's Announcement & Punishment

Creon will announce that Polyneices, who attacked Thebes, will be left unburied (a dishonorable fate, while Eteocles, who defended Thebes, will receive a proper burial). The punishment for anyone who buries Polyneices is death.

2. Antigone/Ismene Dialogue Conflict

Antigone prioritizes family loyalty, insisting on burying her brother Polyneices despite Creon's law. Ismene prioritizes obedience to the state, fearing the king's punishment. This immediate clash sets up the core conflict between familial duty and state authority.

3. Ismene's Reasons to Refuse Help

1. They are women, powerless against male authority.
2. Creon's law is strong, and defying it means certain death.
3. It is dangerous to interfere with those in power.

Answer:

1. Creon's announcement: Creon will declare that Polyneices (who attacked Thebes) will be left unburied, while his brother Eteocles (who defended Thebes) will be honored with a proper burial.

Punishment: Death for anyone who attempts to bury Polyneices.

1. The opening dialogue establishes the central conflict by showing Antigone's unwavering loyalty to her family (she is determined to bury Polyneices, her brother) clashing directly with Ismene's strict obedience to the state (she refuses to break Creon's official law forbidding the burial).
2. 1. As women, they cannot fight against male authority.
3. Defying Creon's law will lead to their deaths.
4. Interfering with those in power is dangerous and reckless.