Antigone

By Sophocles

Guiding Questions How does Greek drama compare to

our modern theater? How do the themes in plays from

other times and cultures relate to issues of today?

TSWBAT

Appreciate ancient Greek drama through study of a play by Sophocles

Evaluate the cultural and historical context of Greek drama and its role in Greek society

The Author- Sophocles The Pinnacle of Greek

Tragedy Born in Athens

496BCE Born in the town of

Colonus Lived to be 90 Witnessed the rise and

fall of the Greek Golden Age

Grew up during Persian Wars

Exceptionally talented Actor

Greek Theater- Use the lecture to answer these questions: Where were Greek tragedies staged? What did the stage look like? What kinds of props and scenery were used? When during the year were plays performed? When

during the day? Who performed in them? What costumes did they

wear? Who came to the plays? How did they behave? What

were they looking for -- entertainment, knowledge, enlightenment?

What kinds of issues were addressed in plays? What was the playwright's role in the performance?

The Theatre of Dionysoshttp://www.didaskalia.net/studyarea/recreatingdion

ysus.html

Location of The Theatre of Dionysos

Ariel View of Theatre of Dionysos

The Players Greek tragedy and comedy originated with the

chorus the most important part of the performance

space was the orchestra A tragic chorus consisted of 12 or 15 dancers

(choreuts), Athenians were taught to sing and dance from a

very early age. The effort of dancing and singing through three

tragedies and a satyr play was likened to that of competing in the Olympic Games.

Actors In contrast with the chorus of 12 or 15, there were

only three actors in fifth-century Athenian tragedy. The original word for 'actor' was hypokrites, meaning

'answerer,' for the actor answered the chorus. Thespis is said to have introduced (and been) the first

actor, later called protagonistes (literally 'first competitor').

The introduction of a second actor (deuteragonistes) is attributed to Aeschylus and

the third (tritagonistes) to Sophocles.

Actors continued Each actor would undertake to play

several different roles It is possible to divide the speaking parts

in a Greek tragedy up by determining which characters were in the same scene.

Often the division of roles had some thematic significance relevant to the play. Very occasionally a single role might be divided between two or more actors, as in Sophocles' Oedipus at Colonus

Masks The large size of the theatre (in its final form it seated

20,000 people) and the distance of even the nearest spectators from the

performers (more than 10 meters) dictated a non-naturalistic approach to acting. All gestures had to be large and definite so as to 'read' from

the back rows. Facial expression would have been invisible to all but the

closest members of the audience; the masks worn by the actors looked more 'natural' than bare faces in the Theatre of Dionysos.

The masks of tragedy were of an ordinary, face-fitting size,

with wigs attached, and open mouths to allow clear speech.

Structure of Greek Play- Know and be able to identify the following: The Greek Chorus

and its various functions (with an example of each)

Greek Theater, its structure and layout

Episode Anagnorisis Catharsis Deus ex Machina Peripeteia

Stichomythia Dramatic Irony Pathos (2

examples) Tragedy, its

characteristics Tragedy Tragic hero, his/her

characteristics Hamartia Hubris

Reflect on the underlying themes of the drama: the interlocking conflicts between men and

women, age and youth, society and the individual, human justice and divine law, the obligations we owe to the living and the

dead

Setting The drama begins at dawn, after a night in

which there has been a war in Thebes between armies led by the two sons of Oedipus. Keep in mind that the Greek theater was in the open air, and that the first performances of the day would begin at daybreak. Thus, imagine that the time of day of the setting would be identical to the performance time.

1-116 As you read the first scene, consider the gravity of the city's

condition and how aware Antigone seems of it. Throughout the play, Antigone and Creon will talk much

about friends and enemies. Think about what each means by these terms. In general, Antigone and Creon tend to use the same words but mean different things by them. For example, consider Antigone's reference to being a "traitor" (57). This is a political term; does Antigone mean a traitor to the city, or to something else? Compare with Creon (580).

Why does Antigone assume that Creon's order is directed against her and Ismene? When Creon appears later, consider whether his conduct and language in fact supports her assumption.

Do you sympathize at all with Ismene's caution? Does Antigone treat her fairly?

Why is Antigone so concerned with glory (113)? Should she be?

How old do you think Antigone is?

117-178 After the initial dialogue the Chorus emerges for

their first choral ode, which concerns the previous night's battle. Contrast the picture of Polynices drawn there with Antigone's earlier discussion of her brother; does your opinion of him, and of Antigone's position, change at all?

The chorus evokes Dionysus (171), the first of several times this god is mentioned. Why should the chorus call upon Dionysus? Look up the name if you need to.

179-376 Creon enters. It is very important that you do not

project Creon's later conduct back into his first speech. Read this speech carefully, consider his values and beliefs, and ask yourself whether there is anything wrong with his principles, whether in Greek terms or your own. Later, compare Creon's subsequent actions with the principles he articulates here.

Throughout this scene, pay close attention to the assumptions Creon makes about gender.

When Creon talks about the gods and the law (317), is he talking about the same types of gods as Antigone does?

377-416 This is perhaps the most famous choral ode in

Greek tragedy. What image of man does this ode present? In this vision, what is human greatness? What are the limits of human ability and action? When can a daring man get into trouble?

Choral odes often generalize a given problem specific to the play's action into a statement about human life as a whole. Is that the case here? If so, then is the chorus alluding to Antigone, or to Creon, or to both?

417-655 Why is Creon so surprised when the Sentry brings

in Antigone? Antigone is compared to a mother bird (471), not

the last time she is referred to as maternal in this play. Is there anything strange or ironic about Antigone being represented as a mother?

Antigone's defense to Creon (499-524) is very important, so read it carefully.

Ismene defends Antigone and asks Creon how he could kill his own son's bride (641). Has there been any reference to this relationship before?

656-700 Contrast this stasimon with the previous

one. Is this ode's thought and tone similar or different? What, if anything, has changed?

701-878Compare the Creon in this scene with the

one who first entered the play. Has he changed at all in language or conduct?

To what does Haemon appeal in his attempt to save Antigone?

Does Haemon threaten his father, as Creon thinks (842)?

Why does Creon chose the particular method of execution that he does (870-8)? What does it say about him?

879-94The ancient Greeks had two words for

"love"; philia, meaning something like "friendship", and eros, which has more to do with passion. When the chorus talks about "love" in the ode, which of the two do they mean? And why is the chorus generalizing about love here?

895-1034

Note the chorus' reference to Antigone's "bridal vault" (899). What do they mean by referring to a wedding chamber? This will be an important image in the last part of the play. Antigone becomes a "Bride of Death" (or "Bride of Hades“ Demeter and Hades).

How would you characterize the chorus' exchange with Antigone here?

Consider Antigone's speech which begins at line 978. Is this speech consistent with what she has argued before?

Is Antigone's faith in the gods wavering here?

1035-1089 Consider what these myths have in

common with each other, and with the story of the play at this point.

1090-1237

What does the failure of Tiresias' sacrifice have to do with Polynices and Antigone?

What, specifically, in Tiresias' warnings leads Creon to change his mind?

1238-72 Why does the chorus call on Dionysus in

this ode?

1273-End

Why does Antigone chose to commit suicide? Does it suggest her mother's death, or is there an important difference?

Creon's wife is only on stage momentarily, yet she plays a key role in Creon's disaster. What does her suicide mean to him?

Is Creon a tragic figure? Is Creon a tragic figure? Do you feel

sympathy for him at the end as someone who initially tried to do good yet was overwhelmed by circumstance, or do you believe that he is a bullying, misogynistic control-freak who gets what he deserves? Try to come up with arguments for both sides. Could the play have been called Creon, instead?

Antigone Conversely, what, specifically, makes

Antigone a tragic figure? Think about what, exactly, you mean by such words as "tragedy" and "tragic".

What do you think? Debate Antigone's choice, whether it

betrays a tragic pride and inflexibility or demonstrates an heroic dedication to virtue.

Contemporary links Comment on the relevance of this ancient

play to contemporary life. When in recent history have individuals been forced to choose between the law and human rights?

Your life When in your own life have you faced a

choice like Antigone's, a choice between obedience to authority and remaining true to your conscience?