In a well-organized and well-written essay, address one of the following topics. Be sure to skip a line and write on one side of the page. You may not use your book, your journal, or any notes of any kind.
Topic 1: A critic has written that "tragedy begins as art, which real life then imitates." With this observation in mind, do you consider Antigone to be tragic, or do teachers and critics overstate its tragic qualities? In your response, be sure to define tragedy, refer to specific aspects of the play (plot developments, characterizations, conflicts, themes, and so on) in support of your position, and discuss the connection (or lack thereof) between Antigone and real-life tragedies.
Topic 2: Concerning Antigone, one critic has claimed, "The play is about Creon's failure." Another critic has argued that Antigone's "very defeat is [her] triumph," which gives her a "sublime dignity." Based on these observations, who is the play's central tragic figure? Or, can you reconcile these perspectives and argue that the play is about both Antigone and Creon? If you select Creon, consider the following: What exactly is Creon's failure? How does this failure render him tragic? If you select Antigone, address the following: Is Antigone's defeat in fact a triumph? If so, how does this triumph render her tragic? If not, in what ways is Antigone a tragic figure?
