1. An Introduction to Greek Tragedy
ANTIGONE WEBQUEST
An Introduction to Greek Tragedy

2. Welcome to the Antigone WebQuest!
Before beginning your exploration into the world of Antigone, you must first become acquainted with Sophocles and The Greek Theater.
The following pages will provide you with the information you need.

3. Meet Sophocles (496-406 B.C.) Sophocles was born and raised in Athens
He is regarded as one of the world’s greatest playwrights.
He frequently won 1st place at the Dionysian festivals, which were competitions between playwrights.
During his life, he wrote over 100 plays, but only 7 have
survived.
Among these 7 are: Oedipus the King, Oedipus at
Colonus, and Antigone.

4. The Greek Theater
Theater was a celebration in ancient Greece that was held in honor of Dionysos (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.

5. Tragedy
Tragedy is a work of literature that results in a catastrophe for the main character.
In Greek drama, the main character 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.

6. Typical Structure of a Tragedy
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

7. The typical structure of a tragedy is as follows:
Prologue – exposition which provide background to the conflict
Parados or parode – Opening song or ode
Strophê – the chorus sings a stanza while moving from right to left while singing
Antistrophê - the chorus sings a stanza while moving from left to right while singing
Epode – included in some odes as a final stanza
Paean – a thanksgiving to Dionysos
Exodos – final exiting scene

8. Now that you are familiar with Greek Tragedy, you are ready to begin 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 Antigone’s family life, and the society in which she lived, by following the trail of clues linked to her death.

9. Family Life – Antigone’s Dad
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 Life
Oedipus’ Exile

10. A Tragedy between Brothers
As if the tragedy surrounding her father’s life and exile was not horrific enough, Antigone must now face the death of her brothers.
Click here to learn more about Eteocles and Polyneices

11. Greek Society Religion Government
Funeral Rites – only read the first paragraph
Role of Women
Hubris – Find the definition (Click here for an alternate website. Use only if needed.)

12. The following information can be used to fill out your STUDY GUIDE…
Title: Antigone
Author: Sophocles
Publication Date: 442 B.C
Setting: The city of Thebes – Ancient
Greece
Genre: Drama

13. Copy down the following chart in the space provided on your worksheet.

14. Relationship to Others: Personality: Situations:
Name:
Relationship to Others:
Personality:
Situations:
Antigone
Daughter of Oedipus, sister of Ismene, niece of Creon
Strong, firm in her beliefs
Main character, in conflict over the laws of the gods vs laws of man
Ismene
Daughter of Oedipus, Antigone’s sister
Timid
Also in conflict over the laws of the gods vs laws of man
Eurydice
Creon’s wife, mother of Haimon
Obeys her duties as the King’s wife
Wife of the King

15. Relationship to Others: Personality: Situations:
Name:
Relationship to Others:
Personality:
Situations:
Creon
Husband of Eurydice, father of Haimon
Firm in his belief, unbending, an absolute ruler
Recently became King of Thebes
Haimon
Son of Creon and Eurydice,
Level headed
Engaged to Antigone
Teiresias
prophet
Wise
He is a very respected blind prophet

16. Congratulations! You have just completed the Antigone WebQuest.
You are now ready to begin your reading of the play later this week.
Please turn this in on my desk and grab a Unit 2 Roots Worksheet.