Skip to content
Storgy

Prompt 01

Essay task

AP LiteratureIB Language & LiteratureCommon Core ElaAQAGCSE English Lit

In Antigone, Sophocles explores a profound clash between divine law and human law through the contrasting views of Antigone and Creon. Write a well-organized argumentative essay in which you assert that one character's moral perspective is ultimately more justified than the other's, using specific evidence from the text to bolster your argument.

Consider the following in your response

  • How do each character interpret justice, loyalty, and duty?
  • What are the personal, political, and spiritual consequences of each character's decisions?
  • How does Sophocles employ dramatic irony, commentary from the chorus, and the tragic ending to express his own moral viewpoint?

Requirements

  • Craft a clear, defensible thesis that takes a stance.
  • Support your argument with at least three pieces of textual evidence.
  • Address and counter a counterargument to reinforce your position.
  • Conclude by linking the conflict to a universal or enduring theme that resonates beyond ancient Greece.

Prompt 02

Essay task

AP LiteratureIB Language & LiteratureAQACommon Core Ela

In Antigone, Sophocles explores the deep conflict between divine law and human law through the contrasting views of Antigone and Creon. Write a well-structured essay arguing that one character's moral perspective is ultimately more justified than the other's. Use specific examples from the text to analyze how Sophocles employs characterization, dramatic irony, and consequences to express his judgment on the balance between political authority and the demands of conscience and the divine.

Guidance for Students

  • Formulate a clear, debatable thesis statement (e.g., whose stance Sophocles supports and the reasons behind it).
  • Reference at least three specific instances from the play as supporting evidence.
  • Think about the influence of hubris, fate, and the Chorus in shaping audience sympathies.
  • Consider the counterargument: acknowledge the strongest argument for the opposing character before addressing it.
  • Wrap up by reflecting on the wider implications of Sophocles' message regarding justice, power, and moral responsibility.

Storgy generator

Need a different angle?

Generate a fresh set of essay prompts for Antigone, tuned to a specific curriculum and difficulty level — grounded in Storgy's analysis of the text.

Generate prompts for AntigoneFree
AntigoneSophocles

Powered by Claude. Free for everyone — daily limit applies. No signup required.

Storgy for teachers

Set the essay on Antigone. Then mark it faster.

Pair these prompts with rubric scaffolds, discussion questions, and quizzes across your whole reading list.