Antigone Sophomore English

Introduction to Greek Theater  In Greece, plays were presented out of doors on a flat place, or orchestra, at the base of a hill.  At first, they just used open space, no walls or ceiling (little scenery or set). The orchestra was usually circular.  The orchestra was the main performing place for actors.  The auditorium, or theatron, was the hillside itself where the audience stood and watched plays. Seats were gradually added; eventually permanent sets were constructed of stone.

Introduction to Greek Theater  An altar to the god Dionysus (son of Zeus, god of wine & revelry), called the themele, was always located in the middle of each site.  Later, in the 5th century B.C., a skene building, or scene house was added.  Provided a place where the actors might dress & wait before going on stage  Eventually, they used it to add background & scenery to the stage, as well as a prop

Introduction to Greek Theater Theater developed from two sources: 1. The need to imitate  Fun to pretend to be someone or something else  As a means of communication - to demonstrate a situation/storytelling through words and actions 2. The need to worship the gods in order to please them

Introduction to Greek Theater  Attending plays was considered a civic duty.  The price of a ticket was two obols, which was equal to the wages an unskilled man might earn for a day’s work.  There was a special fund that citizens could apply for to receive money if they could not afford the ticket on their own.

Greek Tragedies  Greek tragedies are considered the theatrical works produced mainly in Greece during the 5 th century.  Greek tragedies deal with universal issues and with contemporary politics/topics (themes such as war, incest, and murder).  Often times, tragedies involved the hero changing between states of fortune & misfortune. The hero’s flaws and errors were pointed out followed by the hero’s recognition of their actions.

Greek Tragedies  Most tragedies were written as connected trilogies that carried a similar storyline.  In ancient Greek times (5 th century), tragedies were intended to be performed in a theatre before a live audience.  Tragedies were produced and performed during the religious festival in honor of the god Dionysus (god of fertility). The playwrights competed against one another for first prize.

Greek Tragedies: The Structure 1. Prologue: spoken by one or two characters before the chorus appears. The prologue usually gives the background information needed to understand the events of the play. 2. Parodos: the song sung by the chorus as it makes its entrance 3. Episodes/Scenes: the main action of the play 4. Odes: a song (and often dance) that reflects on the events of the episodes, and weaves the plot into a cohesive whole 5. Exodos: sung by the chorus as it makes its final exit, which usually offers words of wisdom related to the actions and outcome of the play

Greek Tragedies: The Structure  Choragos: the leader of the chorus who often interacts with the characters in the scenes  Chorus: the singers/dancers who remark on the action; react as the playwright hopes the audience will  Strophe : the movement of the chorus from right to left across the stage  Antistrophe : the reaction to the strophe, which moves across the stage from left to right.

Sophocles Born in Colonus, a small town outside Athens, Greece in 495 B.C.

Sophocles  As a young boy, Sophocles was prized for his exceptional abilities in poetry, music, and dancing.  Sophocles began as a performer at age 15, as he was chosen to perform at a celebration in Athens.  He went on to become an established playwright in Athens. He was first recognized as a playwright for winning 1st prize at an annual theatrical competition when he was 28 years old. This was significant because he won the prize over Athens’ predominant playwright.

Sophocles  Over 62 years, Sophocles wrote over 120 plays, 24 of which won first prize; the others placed in second at the competition !  Only seven exist in their entirety today.  We will be reading one of them, “Antigone”  Sophocles greatly influenced the technical aspects of Greek theatre.

Sophocles Changes in Greek Tragedies 1. Originally, drama was performed on an open-air theatre with few props or sets. Sophocles expanded using stage machinery (utilized technological advances) and sets. He was the first to use a crane to “miraculously” lower and take away actors! He also used painted scenery. 2. Variations in the types of music sung by the chorus 3. Changed cast size  introduced a third actor  reduced the chorus from 50 people to Used more elaborate costumes, including masks How do you think Sophocles’ new ideas and changes impacted drama?

Sophocles’ Impact  More complex plot development due to added actors, and costumes (allowed them to portray more characters)  Easier to distinguish sets, more developed sets, doesn’t leave quite as much up to the imagination  Easier to distinguish characters, due to costuming and elaborate masks  Interesting, unexpected events by using machinery

Sophocles’ Impact  Sophocles was said to have been especially blessed by the Greek gods because he was attractive and had exceptional abilities.  Society had much admiration and deep respect for him because of the impact he made on their lives.  All of Athens mourned upon Sophocles death in 406 B.C.  They established a shrine called Dexion (The Entertainer) for him. Members of society paid respect to him annually by offering sacrifices in his memory.

Antigone  Sophocles wrote Antigone as a part of a trilogy of plays that centered around the legend of Oedipus  The legend of Oedipus was a famous story with which the Greek people were already familiar  The famous psychological term “Oedipus Complex” was coined because of this story  The setting of this story is in Thebes  It is believed that Sophocles wrote Antigone in approximately 422 B.C.

Antigone’s Family Tree  King Laios weds Queen Jocasta  They give birth to Oedipus  There is a prophecy that Oedipus will kill King Laios and sleep with his mother  His feet are pierced as a baby and he is left on a mountain to die  Oedipus is rescued and adopted by the King of Corinth. Hearing of the prophecy, he runs away to save his “parents” in Corinth

Antigone’s Family Tree  In a moment of rage Oedipus kills a “stranger” on the road to Thebes.  Solves the riddle of the Sphinx at the gates of Thebes and becomes an instant hero.  Marries Queen Jocasta and becomes King of Thebes  Oedipus doesn’t know the Queen is his birth mother  Queen Jocasta doesn’t know that Oedipus is her son

Antigone’s Family Tree  King Oedipus and Queen Jocasta have 4 children:  2 sons – Eteocles, Polyneices  2 daughters – Antigone, Ismene  A horrible curse is sent upon Thebes because Oedipus married his mother. When Oedipus and Jocasta realize they’re guilty of the crime, Jocasta kills herself and Oedipus gouges his eyes out. He is banished from the city to cleanse Thebes of the curse.

Antigone’s Family Tree  King Creon (brother of Jocasta) is next in line to be King  Eteocles refuses to share the throne with his brother  In response, Polyneices raises up an army to attack Thebes  Eteocles and Polyneices fight to the death on a battle field  By decree of King Creon, Eteocles is declared a hero and is given an honorable military burial  King Creon declares Polyneices a traitor and is left in the battle field to rot  Antigone has a strong will that creates conflict for King Creon  Ismene is fearful of punishment and obedient to the laws of the state. Her weak will disgusts her sister, Antigone.

Antigone’s Family Tree  King Oedipus and Queen Jocasta’s daughters:  Antigone is extremely loyal to family and the law of the gods. Her strong will creates conflict with Creon  Ismene is fearful of punishment and obedient to the laws of the state. Her weak will disgusts Antigone

What to consider while reading…  Was Antigone justified in her actions? What is more important – following the government’s laws, or those of one’s heart?  Who is the tragic hero of this play? A tragic hero is a person who, either through choice or circumstance, is caught in a series of events that lead to disaster. Unfortunately, it is his/her own error in judgment (tragic flaw) that leads to his/her demise.

Reading Log Since we will be doing a close read of this play, you need to keep a Reading Log of annotations and notes for reference. Left Side: From the Text (with line #s)Right Side: Your Analysis Direct Quotes Figurative Language Plot Detail Character Details Questions (about the text) Connection(s) (to your experience )

Prologue (1022)  Prologue focus: Rhetorical Appeals  Explain how Antigone uses rhetorical appeals in her attempt to persuade Ismene to join her in breaking the law and burying Polyneices.

Prologue, Scene 1, Scene 2  Prologue focus: Rhetorical Appeals  SWBAT explain how Antigone uses rhetorical appeals in her attempt to persuade Ismene to join her in breaking the law and burying Polyneices.  Scene 1 focus: Characterization  Lesson on Foils:  Scene 2 focus: Conflict  SWBAT describe the conflicts that exist in Scene 2, and what they reveal about the values of the characters.

Scene 3, Scene 4  Scene 3 focus: Analogies    Scene 4 focus: Literary Allusions, Hubris    

Scene 4: River of Acheron

Scene 4: Myth of Niobe

Scene 4: Stream of Dirce

Scene 5, Exodus  Scene 5 and Exodus focus: Symbolism, Cause and Effect