Question

In typical Greek dramas, the prologue is the opening scene that provides background information about the play and sets up its conflict. Which of these excerpts from Antigone successfully achieve that goal? ISMENE: To me, Antigone, no word of friends Has come, or glad or grievous, since we twain Were reft of our two brethren in one day By double fratricide; and since i' the night Our Argive leaguers fled, no later news Has reached me, to inspirit or deject. . . . ANTIGONE: Such is the edict (if report speak true) Of Creon, our most noble Creon, aimed At thee and me, aye me too; and anon He will be here to promulgate, for such As have not heard, his mandate; 'tis in sooth No passing humor, for the edict says Whoe'er transgresses shall be stoned to death. . . . ISMENE: If in defiance of the law we cross A monarch's will?—weak women, think of that, Not framed by nature to contend with men. Remember this too that the stronger rules; We must obey his orders, these or worse. Therefore I plead compulsion and entreat The dead to pardon. . . . ANTIGONE: Sister, forbear, or I shall hate thee soon, And the dead man will hate thee too, with cause. Say I am mad and give my madness rein To wreck itself; the worst that can befall Is but to die an honorable death.

Answer 1

ISMENE:

To me, Antigone, no word of friends

Has come, or glad or grievous, since we twain  

Were reft of our two brethren in one day

By double fratricide; and since i' the night

Our Argive leaguers fled, no later news

Has reached me, to inspirit or deject.

Answer 2

The passage of the prologue that provides the background of Sophocle's play, "Antigone" is:

ISMENE: "To me, Antigone, no word of friends has come, or glad or grievous, since we twain were reft of our two brethren in one day by double fratricide; and since i' the night our Argive leaguers fled, no later news has reached me, to inspirit or deject."

Here, Ismene, Antigone's sister explain that both of her brothers, Eteocles and Polyneices, had killed each other, commiting fratricide, in a fight to decide who would be the next King of Thebes.