AntigoneAntigone Background Background NotesNotes

Author InformationAuthor InformationSophoclesSophocles

496 – 406 B.C.496 – 406 B.C.Grew up in the most intellectual period of Grew up in the most intellectual period of

AthensAthensWrote 123 plays in his lifetime but only 7 Wrote 123 plays in his lifetime but only 7

survivesurviveGood-natured and well-likedGood-natured and well-likedComes from a wealthy family; well-educatedComes from a wealthy family; well-educatedInvolved heavily in politics and the Involved heavily in politics and the

governmentgovernment

Author InformationAuthor InformationSophoclesSophocles

What did you already know about this What did you already know about this author?author?

What can you predict about his writing What can you predict about his writing based on the biographical information?based on the biographical information?

The Background Story(watch video, write down three (watch video, write down three

interesting things, discuss)interesting things, discuss)

Antigone is just one story in a Antigone is just one story in a three-part mini-series written three-part mini-series written by Sophocles. Itby Sophocles. It’’s important to s important to

know what happens in the know what happens in the plays before it to better plays before it to better understand the story.understand the story.

VII. The Original Dysfunctional VII. The Original Dysfunctional FamilyFamily

King Menoeceus

King Laius

Jocasta Creon Eurydice

King Oedipus

Jocasta

Eteocles Polyneices Ismene

Antigone

Megareus

Haemon

VII. The Original VII. The Original Dysfunctional FamilyDysfunctional Family

What’s wrong with that family tree What’s wrong with that family tree chart?chart?

King Laius (pronounced LAY USE) and King Laius (pronounced LAY USE) and Jocasta have a son, Oedipus. The Jocasta have a son, Oedipus. The Oracle predicts Oedipus will grow up Oracle predicts Oedipus will grow up and kill his father, so Laius drops and kill his father, so Laius drops Oedipus over a cliff into the ocean.Oedipus over a cliff into the ocean.

Baby Oedipus is rescued by a Baby Oedipus is rescued by a shepherd. He grows up and hits the shepherd. He grows up and hits the road. Meets the Sphinx. Answers road. Meets the Sphinx. Answers the Sphinxthe Sphinx’’s riddle. Sphinx kills s riddle. Sphinx kills herself.herself.

The Riddle of the SphinxThe Riddle of the Sphinx

What goes on four legs in the morning, on two legs at noon, and on three legs in the evening?

Oedipus argues with and kills a man on the Oedipus argues with and kills a man on the road who, unbeknownst to Oedipus, is his road who, unbeknownst to Oedipus, is his father Laius. father Laius.

Oedipus continues and when he reaches Oedipus continues and when he reaches Thebes, he is rewarded for killing the Thebes, he is rewarded for killing the Sphinx that has been plaguing their town Sphinx that has been plaguing their town (no one has been able to come and go (no one has been able to come and go since the Sphinx has been guarding the since the Sphinx has been guarding the road). road).

Oedipus is given the newly widowed Oedipus is given the newly widowed queen to marry. queen to marry.

Oedipus and his Oedipus and his ““wifewife”” have four children. have four children.

Eventually, a new plague strikes Thebes Eventually, a new plague strikes Thebes and the Oracle is consulted again. and the Oracle is consulted again.

The soothsayer, Teiresias (pronounced The soothsayer, Teiresias (pronounced TIE REE SEE US), tells them that Thebes TIE REE SEE US), tells them that Thebes is suffering because of Oedipus and is suffering because of Oedipus and JocastaJocasta’’s crime against nature.s crime against nature.

Jocasta hangs herself and Oedipus Jocasta hangs herself and Oedipus takes her brooch and blinds himself. takes her brooch and blinds himself.

He is exiled from Thebes and Antigone He is exiled from Thebes and Antigone (pronounced AN TIG OH KNEE) and (pronounced AN TIG OH KNEE) and Ismene (pronounced IS MAY NAY), his Ismene (pronounced IS MAY NAY), his daughters, dutifully lead their father daughters, dutifully lead their father through the lands during his exile.through the lands during his exile.

A civil war breaks out about who will be A civil war breaks out about who will be the new ruler of Thebes. the new ruler of Thebes.

Eteocles (pronounced EH TEE OH Eteocles (pronounced EH TEE OH CLEES) and Polyneices (pronounced CLEES) and Polyneices (pronounced POLY NICES) fight to be heir to the POLY NICES) fight to be heir to the throne. They kill each other and their throne. They kill each other and their Uncle Creon steps up. Uncle Creon steps up.

This is where This is where AntigoneAntigone, the play, , the play, begins.begins.

I. I. Origin of Tragedy(watch 2 videos, write down three (watch 2 videos, write down three

interesting things from each, discuss)interesting things from each, discuss) ( (2nd video))

A.A. Religious festivals in the spring to honor Religious festivals in the spring to honor DionysusDionysus

--Each year, playwrights were chosen to produce Each year, playwrights were chosen to produce three tragedies, and a satyr play – comic interlude, three tragedies, and a satyr play – comic interlude, for a competition at the festivalfor a competition at the festival

Dionysus (Bacchus),

god of wine and revelry

B. Thespis, B. Thespis, ““Father of DramaFather of Drama”” (thespians) (thespians)1. introduced the first actor and dialogue1. introduced the first actor and dialogue

C. SophoclesC. Sophocles1. added third actor1. added third actor

2. fixed number of the Chorus to 152. fixed number of the Chorus to 15

3.3. introduced painted sceneryintroduced painted scenery

4.4.Used masks to differentiate between actorsUsed masks to differentiate between actors

4. made each play of a trilogy separate in 4. made each play of a trilogy separate in nature (each play could stand alone)nature (each play could stand alone)Oedipus RexOedipus RexOedipus on ColunusOedipus on ColunusAntigoneAntigone

Sophocles

II. Structure of TheatreII. Structure of Theatre

A. A. theatrontheatron: : ““seeingseeing”” place where the audience sat place where the audience sat

B. B. orchestraorchestra: circular dancing place where actors : circular dancing place where actors and Chorus performedand Chorus performed

C. C. thymelethymele: altar to Dionysus in center of the : altar to Dionysus in center of the orchestraorchestra

D. D. skeneskene: building used as dressing room: building used as dressing room

E. E. proskenionproskenion: façade of skene building which : façade of skene building which served as backdropserved as backdrop

F. F. paradosparados: entrance to the theatre used by Chorus: entrance to the theatre used by Chorus

II. Structure of TheatreII. Structure of Theatre

What aspects of our modern theaters seem to What aspects of our modern theaters seem to be taken from Greek theater?be taken from Greek theater?

Basic Parts of a Greek Basic Parts of a Greek TragedyTragedy1. Prologue: 1. Prologue:

a. Spoken by one or two characters before the chorus appear a. Spoken by one or two characters before the chorus appear

b. Gives mythological backgroundb. Gives mythological background

2. Parodos2. Parodos

a. Song sung by the chorus as it first enters the orchestra and dances.a. Song sung by the chorus as it first enters the orchestra and dances.

3. Ode: 3. Ode:

a. Type of lyrical verse (sung)a. Type of lyrical verse (sung)

b. Greek odes were originally poetic pieces accompanied by symphonic orchestras.b. Greek odes were originally poetic pieces accompanied by symphonic orchestras.

4. Strophe: 4. Strophe:

a. Forms the first part of the ode in Ancient Greek tragedy, followed by the a. Forms the first part of the ode in Ancient Greek tragedy, followed by the antistropheantistrophe

b. Chanted by a Greek chorus as it moved from right to left across the skênê.b. Chanted by a Greek chorus as it moved from right to left across the skênê.

5. Antistrophe:5. Antistrophe:

a. Portion of an ode sung by the chorus in its returning movement from west a. Portion of an ode sung by the chorus in its returning movement from west to eastto east

b. It has the nature of a reply and balances the effect of the strophe. b. It has the nature of a reply and balances the effect of the strophe.

6. Exodos: 6. Exodos:

a. At the end of play, the chorus exits singing a processional song a. At the end of play, the chorus exits singing a processional song

b. Offers words of wisdom related to the actions and outcome of the playb. Offers words of wisdom related to the actions and outcome of the play

Basic Parts of a Greek Basic Parts of a Greek TragedyTragedy

What would this structure do for an What would this structure do for an audience?audience?

Greek Theatre(show video)(show video)

III. Actors and ActingIII. Actors and ActingA. The playwright took the leading roleA. The playwright took the leading role

B. All male performers (played female roles B. All male performers (played female roles too)too)

C. Never more than 3 actors (changed C. Never more than 3 actors (changed characters)characters)1. protagonist, deuteragonist, tritagonist1. protagonist, deuteragonist, tritagonist

D. Costumes and MasksD. Costumes and Masks1. long, flowing robes (colored symbolically)1. long, flowing robes (colored symbolically)

2. high boots with raised soles2. high boots with raised soles

3. large masks made of wood, linen, cork3. large masks made of wood, linen, corka. identified age, gender, emotiona. identified age, gender, emotion

b. exaggerated features (eyes, open mouth)b. exaggerated features (eyes, open mouth)

III. Actors and ActingIII. Actors and ActingDo modern actors have more of a challenge Do modern actors have more of a challenge

than Greek actors did?than Greek actors did?

IV.IV. The ChorusThe ChorusA. Music and DanceA. Music and Dance

1. music: flute, lyre, drums1. music: flute, lyre, drums2. dance: expressive rhythmic movements2. dance: expressive rhythmic movements

B. Function of the ChorusB. Function of the Chorus1. sets overall mood and expresses theme1. sets overall mood and expresses theme2. adds beauty through song and dance2. adds beauty through song and dance3. gives background information3. gives background information4. divides action and offers reflection on 4. divides action and offers reflection on

eventsevents5. questions, advises, expresses opinion 5. questions, advises, expresses opinion

(usually through Chorus leader)(usually through Chorus leader)

IV.IV. The ChorusThe ChorusWould this be a distraction for modern Would this be a distraction for modern

viewers?viewers?

V. Conventions of Greek V. Conventions of Greek TheatreTheatre

A. AristotleA. Aristotle’’s Unitiess Unities1. action (simple plot)1. action (simple plot)

2. time (single day)2. time (single day)

3. place (one scene throughout)3. place (one scene throughout)

B. The Messenger (sentry)B. The Messenger (sentry)1. tells news happening away from the scene1. tells news happening away from the scene

2. reports acts of violence not allowed to be seen2. reports acts of violence not allowed to be seen

C. Limitations of the TheatreC. Limitations of the Theatre1. the Chorus is constantly on the stage1. the Chorus is constantly on the stage

2. no intermission2. no intermission

3. no lighting, no curtains3. no lighting, no curtains

V. Conventions of Greek V. Conventions of Greek TheatreTheatre

Why do you think Greek audiences might have Why do you think Greek audiences might have needed the simplification that Aristotle’s unities needed the simplification that Aristotle’s unities provided?provided?

What does it say about their society that violence What does it say about their society that violence wasn’t allowed to be shown? What does it say about wasn’t allowed to be shown? What does it say about our society that we allow it to and even sometimes our society that we allow it to and even sometimes glorify it?glorify it?

VI. Important TermsVI. Important Terms

1. 1. tragedytragedy: an imitation of a serious : an imitation of a serious action which will arouse pity and fear action which will arouse pity and fear in the viewerin the viewer

2. 2. tragic herotragic hero: a character, usually of : a character, usually of noble birth, neither totally good nor noble birth, neither totally good nor totally evil, whose downfall is brought totally evil, whose downfall is brought about by some weakness and error in about by some weakness and error in judgment (a tragic flaw)judgment (a tragic flaw)

3. 3. hamartiahamartia: a tragic flaw, weakness of : a tragic flaw, weakness of character or error in judgment which character or error in judgment which causes the downfall of the hero (tragic causes the downfall of the hero (tragic flaw)flaw)

4. 4. hubrishubris: the tragic flaw of pride: the tragic flaw of pride

5. 5. catharsiscatharsis: the : the ““purgingpurging”” or release of or release of emotions the audience feelsemotions the audience feels

6. 6. deus ex machinadeus ex machina: a person or god that : a person or god that intervenes in the actionintervenes in the action

Important Pieces of Greek Important Pieces of Greek Culture Culture

You canYou can’’t escape your fatet escape your fateThere is no guilty act without a guilty There is no guilty act without a guilty

mindmindFamily is everythingFamily is everythingCurses bear powerCurses bear powerTruth mattersTruth matters

Important Pieces of Greek Important Pieces of Greek Culture Culture

If someone asked you to imitate this If someone asked you to imitate this type of list for our culture, what type of list for our culture, what would you add to it?would you add to it?

QUIZ – were you paying QUIZ – were you paying attention?!attention?!