Antigone:Unity of Action

Freytag’s Pyramid

Point of Attack

Point of Attack

1. Exposition

Ismene refuses because of Creon’s decree; in the Parados, the Chorus tells us of the war between Argos and Thebes.

Point of attack: Antigone tries to convince Ismene to help her bury Polynieces’ body.

2. Rising Action

Creon explains his decree.

The soldier comes in to inform Creon the somebody has buried Polynieces’ body.

Creon commands soldier to find the man who buried the body.

Creon pronounces death on the person who did it.

Soldier returns w/guilty person: Antigone.

Creon accuses Ismene, too.

2. Rising Action

Creon sentences both to stoning.

Haimon and Creon argue about whether Antigone’s actions were just or unjust.

Haimon leaves and tells Creon he’ll never seem him again.

Antigone is sentenced to death (in cave) by Creon.

Tieresias issues warning and prophecy.

Creon changes his mind and goes to rescue Antigone.

Peripeteia: In the Exodus, the messenger explains that Haimon commits suicide after finding Antigone’s body.

3. Turning Point

Anagnorisis (Recognition)

4. Falling Action

Scene of suffering: Creon acknowledges his responsibility and has his sorrow compounded by his wife’s suicide.

5. Resolution/Denouement

Creon admits that he’s wrong—his life is miserable. Chorus emphasizes the importance of moral law of man’s law.

Ancient Greeks cared deeply about the pursuit of knowledge.  Although the truth was often a terrifying concept, they still saw it as a critical virtue.  The theater was one way in which the ideas of knowledge and truth were examined.