Sophocles’ Ajax
Worksheet Pack | Classical Reference Library
Richer Resources Editorial Team
Introduction
These six worksheets help students develop a deeper understanding of Sophocles’ Ajax through close reading, comparison, and written analysis.
The activities progress from identifying important events and character motivations to evaluating the play’s competing ideas about honor, responsibility, authority, and justice.
Students should use the translation assigned for their class and refer to specific passages when supporting their answers. Because translations differ, no fixed line numbers are required.
The worksheets may be completed individually, in pairs, or in small groups.
Worksheet 1. Understanding the Plot
Objective: Identify the principal events of the tragedy and explain why they matter.
Part A. Put the Events in Order
Number the following events from 1 to 8 in the order in which they occur in the play.
- ___ Teucer defends Ajax’s right to burial.
- ___ Athena reveals Ajax’s delusion to Odysseus.
- ___ Ajax dies by his own sword.
- ___ Tecmessa appeals to Ajax to consider his family.
- ___ Odysseus argues that Ajax should receive burial.
- ___ Ajax appears to reconsider his intentions.
- ___ The Messenger brings an urgent warning associated with Calchas.
- ___ Menelaus opposes Ajax’s burial.
Part B. Cause and Consequence
Answer in complete sentences.
1. Why does Ajax believe that he has been dishonored?
2. What prevents Ajax from attacking the Greek commanders as he intended?
3. How does Ajax react when he understands what has happened?
4. Why does the action continue after Ajax’s death?
Part C. The Structure of the Play
Complete the following statements.
The first part of the tragedy focuses primarily on:
The second part of the tragedy focuses primarily on:
The connection between the two parts is:
Worksheet 2. Character Motivations and Conflicts
Objective: Compare the values and responsibilities of the principal characters.
Part A. Character Analysis Chart
For each character, answer the following:
What does this character want?
What value or obligation guides the character?
Ajax
Tecmessa
Odysseus
Teucer
Menelaus
Agamemnon
Part B. Two Perspectives on Honor
Compare Ajax and Odysseus.
1. How does Ajax understand what it means to be a great warrior?
2. How does Odysseus respond when he sees Ajax humiliated?
3. How does Odysseus’s conduct during the burial dispute develop the contrast between them?
4. Which character demonstrates the more persuasive understanding of honor? Explain your answer with evidence.
Part C. Tecmessa’s Perspective
Tecmessa asks Ajax to think about what will happen to her and Eurysaces if he dies.
Explain how her argument challenges Ajax’s understanding of duty.
Your response:
Worksheet 3. Honor, Shame, and Responsibility
Objective: Examine how competing values contribute to Ajax’s downfall.
Part A. Define the Terms
Using your own words, define each term as it applies to the play.
Honor:
Shame:
Pride:
Responsibility:
Compassion:
Part B. Identify the Conflict
For each statement, identify the competing values and explain the conflict.
1. Ajax believes that he cannot return home after his humiliation.
Competing values:
Explanation:
2. Tecmessa asks Ajax to consider his responsibilities toward his family.
Competing values:
Explanation:
3. Odysseus defends the burial of a man who intended to kill him.
Competing values:
Explanation:
Part C. Short Written Response
Question: Does Ajax’s understanding of honor make him admirable, destructive, or both?
Write one well-developed paragraph. Include a specific example from the play and explain how it supports your conclusion.
Worksheet 4. Close Reading: Ajax’s Apparent Change of Mind
Objective: Develop an interpretation of an ambiguous speech using textual evidence.
Part A. Examine the Speech
Locate the speech in which Ajax appears to accept the need to yield or adapt to circumstances.
Record two statements that seem to suggest a change in his thinking.
Statement 1:
Statement 2:
Part B. Consider Two Interpretations
Interpretation A: Ajax genuinely recognizes the need to change.
What evidence supports this reading?
Interpretation B: Ajax speaks in a way that conceals his intentions from Tecmessa and the Chorus.
What evidence supports this reading?
Part C. Make an Argument
Which interpretation do you find more convincing?
Write a paragraph that includes:
- A clear claim.
- Evidence from the speech.
- An explanation of that evidence.
- A brief acknowledgment of the alternative interpretation.
Your response:
Worksheet 5. The Burial Debate
Objective: Evaluate competing arguments about authority, loyalty, and justice.
Part A. Identify the Positions
For each character, answer the followi
Position on Ajax’s burial
Reason for supporting or opposing burial
Teucer
Menelaus
Agamemnon
Odysseus
Part B. Evaluate the Arguments
1. Why do Menelaus and Agamemnon regard Ajax’s conduct as a threat to military authority?
2. Why does Teucer believe he must defend his brother?
3. Why is Odysseus’s support for Ajax especially significant?
4. Can someone deserve punishment or criticism and still deserve humane treatment? Explain how this question applies to the play.
Part C. Make a Decision
Imagine that you must decide whether Ajax should receive burial.
Write a short judgment explaining your decision. Address at least two of the arguments made by the characters.
My decision:
Reasoning and textual evidence:
Worksheet 6. From Evidence to Literary Analysis
Objective: Build a short literary argument using a claim, textual evidence, and explanation.
Part A. Choose a Question
Select one of the following:
A. Does Sophocles present Odysseus as an alternative model of heroism?
B. Does Ajax’s concern for honor prevent him from fulfilling his responsibilities to others?
C. Why is the burial dispute essential to the meaning of the tragedy?
D. What does the play suggest about the relationship between power and justice?
Part B. Develop Your Argument
My question:
My central claim:
First passage or event that supports my claim:
How this evidence supports my claim:
Second passage or event that supports my claim:
How this evidence supports my claim:
A possible opposing interpretation:
My response to that interpretation:
Part C. Write a Short Analysis
Using your planning notes, write two or three connected paragraphs.
Your analysis should:
- State a clear interpretation.
- Refer to at least two specific moments in the play.
- Explain how the evidence supports your argument.
- Consider an alternative interpretation.
- End with a conclusion that follows from your analysis.
Final Reflection
After completing the worksheets, consider this question:
Does Sophocles suggest that true greatness requires more than courage and military achievement?
Write a short response explaining what the tragedy reveals about honor, responsibility, compassion, and justice.
Note to the Educator
The worksheets are designed to be used selectively across several lessons.
Worksheets 1–3 emphasize comprehension and character analysis;
Worksheets 4–6 require closer interpretation and evidence-based argument. Encourage students to consider competing perspectives, especially during the burial debate.
Approach discussion of Ajax’s death sensitively, without romanticizing suicide or presenting it as an honorable solution to shame.
A printable PDF version of this resource is available by email.
