Antigone

# Essay Prompt: *Antigone* by Sophocles **Prompt:** 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.

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# Essay Prompt: *Antigone* by Sophocles **Prompt:** 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.

ap_lit · ib_lang_lit · aqa · common_core_ela