an introduction to greek tragedy. sophocles the greek theater before beginning your exploration into...
TRANSCRIPT
An Introduction to Greek Tragedy
Before beginning your exploration into the world of Antigone, you must first become acquainted with Sophocles Sophocles and The Greek The Greek TheaterTheater.
The following pages will provide you with the information you need.
Born and raised in AthensRegarded as one of the
world’s greatest playwrights.
Frequently won 1st place at the Dionysian festivals (which were competitions between playwrights).
Wrote over 100 plays, but on 7 have survivied
Among the 7 plays are: Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone
Theater was a celebration in ancient Greece that was held in honor of Dionysus (the god of wine). During these celebrations, Athenians gathered to watch competitions between playwrights. It was these competitions that Sophocles often won. The plays performed at these festivals usually exposed arrogance which emphasized reverence for the gods and included tragic events. Although violence and disrespect were central to the plot of most tragic plays, violence was never depicted on stage. Instead, these events occurred off stage.
Tragedy is a work of literature that results in a catastrophe for the main character.
In Greek drama, the main character (Tragic Hero) was always a significant person, a king or a hero, and the cause of the tragedy was a tragic flaw, or weakness in his or her character.
Ancient Greek playwrights used a consistent format for most of their productions.
A Chorus is used to divide the scenes (similar to how a curtain does in present day performances) through a song that comments on the action of the previous scene.
The Choragos is the leader of the chorus, and serves as another character in the play.
Prologue – exposition which provide background to the conflict
Parados or parode – Opening song or odeStrophê – the chorus sings a stanza while moving
from right to left while singingAntistrophê - the chorus sings a stanza while
moving from left to right while singingEpode – included in some odes as a final stanza
Paean – a thanksgiving to DionysusExodos – final exiting scene
Audience seating“Dancing Place” where chorus sang to the audience
Thymele
Altar to Dionysus in center of orchestra where sacrifices were made
Building used as a dressing room.
Eto the theater used by the Chorus
Proskenion
Where most of the action took place; also served as a backdrop
Your Task:
You are a detective assigned to investigate the death of Antigone.
Before you can understand her death, you must first become aware of the circumstances surrounding her life.
You will obtain background information about Anigone’s family life, and the society in which she lived, by following the trail of clues linked to her death.
Antigone, is part of a trilogy about the royal family of Thebes. The trilogy includes; Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus and Antigone
Follow the two links below to learn more about Antigone’s father, Oedipus:Oedipus’ Early LifeOedipus’ Exile
As if the tragedy surrounding her father’s life and exile was not horrific enough, Antigone must now face the death of her brothers.
Eteocles and Polyneices
Religion
Government
Funeral Rites
Role of Women – click on the “Daily Life” tab and then click on “Women’s Life”
Hubris – Find the definition
Title: AntigoneAuthor: SophoclesPublication Date: 442 B.CSetting: The city of Thebes – Ancient GreeceGenre: Drama
Name:Name: Relationship Relationship to Others:to Others:
PersonalitPersonality:y:
Situations:Situations:
AntigoneAntigoneDaughter of Daughter of
Oedipus, sister Oedipus, sister of Ismene, niece of Ismene, niece
of Creonof Creon
Strong, firm Strong, firm in her beliefsin her beliefs
Main Main character, in character, in conflict over conflict over the laws of the laws of the gods vs the gods vs laws of manlaws of man
IsmeneIsmeneDaughter of Daughter of
Oedipus, Oedipus, Antigone’s sisterAntigone’s sister
TimidTimid Also in Also in conflict over conflict over the laws of the laws of the gods vs the gods vs laws of manlaws of man
EurydiceEurydiceCreon’s wife, Creon’s wife,
mother of mother of HaimonHaimon
Obeys her Obeys her duties as the duties as the King’s wifeKing’s wife
Wife of the Wife of the KingKing
Name:Name: Relationship Relationship to Others:to Others:
PersonalitPersonality:y:
SituationsSituations::
CreonCreonHusband of Husband of
Eurydice, father Eurydice, father of Haimon of Haimon
Firm in his Firm in his belief, belief,
unbending, unbending, an absolute an absolute
rulerruler
Recently Recently became King became King
of Thebes of Thebes
HaimonHaimonSon of Creon Son of Creon
and Eurydice, and Eurydice, Level headedLevel headed
Engaged to Engaged to AntigoneAntigone
TeiresiasTeiresias prophetprophet Wise Wise He is a very He is a very respected respected
blind prophetblind prophet
PeripeteiaPeripeteia: reversal of fortune StropheStrophe: chanted as the chorus
moves from right to left across the stage
AnagnorisisAnagnorisis: recognition or discovery on the part of the hero; change from ignorance to knowledge
AntistropheAntistrophe: chanted as the chorus moves back across the stage from left to right.
NemesisNemesis: fate that cannot be escaped
HamartiaHamartia: a tragic flaw, weakness of character or error in judgment which causes the downfall of the hero
HubrisHubris: arrogance or overweening pride which causes the hero’s transgression against the gods.
ParadosParados: the first ode in a Greek tragedy, chanted by the chorus as it enters the orchestra
Tragic HeroTragic Hero: a high-born character whose downfall is brought about by a weakness or error in judgment
ChoragusChoragus: leader of the chorus
TragedyTragedy: an imitation of a serious action which will arouse pity and fear in the viewer
CatharsisCatharsis: purgation of emotions of pity and fear which leaves the viewer both relieved and elated.
You have just completed the Antigone WebQuest.
You are now ready to begin your reading of the play.