Antigone

by Sophocles

History Behind Antigone

Sophocles SuccessAward-winning playwright

Extended the number of actors on stage

Theban Plays (Oedipus Cycle)

AntigoneOedipus the KingOedipus at Colonus

http://www.users.cloud9.net/~bradmcc/GO/Oedipus1.jpg

CharactersOedipus & JocastaAntigoneIsmenePolyneicesEteoclesCreonHaemon

Greek GodsZeus

The head honcho

HadesGod of the Underworld

Dionyses

HeraZeus’s wife and sister

PersephoneHades’ wife

Demeter

http://jermination.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/greek_gods400.jpg

Classical Drama

Arose in Athens, GreeceEach celebration included chants and songs performed by a group called the chorusDrama evolved as individual actors began entering into a dialogue with the chorus to tell a storyPerformed in honor of Dionysus

God of Wine and Fertility

Structure of PlaysPrologue

Introduces the hero and main conflict of play

ParadosEntrance of the chorus

Body of the PlayDivided into five episodes and choral odesEach episode dramatizes one eventOde follows episode with commentary on event

ExodusDeparture of the characters

The Theater

Greek drama was viewed as a religious festivalPlays were attended by thousands and performed during the day in an outdoor theater with seats built into the hillside

Actors

Actors were all menThey wore elegant robes, huge masks and elevated shoes

Sophocles used three actors in his plays

Between scenes they would change costumes and masks to portray different characters

ChorusGroup of 15 menCommented on the action of the playBetween the scenes, the chorus would sing and dance to musical accompaniment

Give insights into the message of the play

Leader of the Chorus was the ChoragusHe would enter into the dialogue with the actors

Tragedy

A tragedy is a drama that recounts the downfall of a dignified, superior characterThe tragic hero (Protagonist) is in conflict with an opposing character or force (Antagonist)

Aristotle’s Theory of the TragicFlaw

Aristotle believed that a tragic hero possesses a defect, or a tragic flaw that brings about or contributes to his or her downfall.

Poor judgment, pride, weakness

Thank you…come again!