Greek Drama Sophocles’ Antigone

A review need to know: need to know: definition of drama definition of drama Basic structure Basic structure History History Drama originated from religious ceremonies Drama originated from religious ceremonies Early Greek drama from religious ceremonies in honor of the god Dionysus Early Greek drama from religious ceremonies in honor of the god Dionysus

Where the word tragedy comes from Where the word tragedy comes from When did the play begin? When did the play begin? Who is Thespis? Who is Thespis? What are the two basic types of drama? What are the two basic types of drama?

A little more on Greek Drama 6 th Century BC: the songs sung by the chorus began to be acted out by actors 6 th Century BC: the songs sung by the chorus began to be acted out by actors Annual spring festival of Dionysus-god of wine—playwrights competed in a contest for the best tradegy Annual spring festival of Dionysus-god of wine—playwrights competed in a contest for the best tradegy Sophocles was a frequent winner of these Sophocles was a frequent winner of these

The Greek theater

The actors Chorus: large group of men (about 50 total) Chorus: large group of men (about 50 total) Later this was reduced to about 12 men Later this was reduced to about 12 men The chorus was used to reflect, comment, tell the future, and voice emotions of audience The chorus was used to reflect, comment, tell the future, and voice emotions of audience No more than three actors were used No more than three actors were used All men All men

Actors con’t Wore bigger than life size masks Wore bigger than life size masks

Greek Tragedy Tragedy showed what happened when people disobeyed the god’s laws Tragedy showed what happened when people disobeyed the god’s laws The wrongs of people will be punished by Fate The wrongs of people will be punished by Fate Story of the downfall of a good and noble person, who has a fatal flaw Story of the downfall of a good and noble person, who has a fatal flaw Hubris or pride that unwittingly tempt Fate and begins suffering Hubris or pride that unwittingly tempt Fate and begins suffering

Tragedies con’t Based on Greek mythology that the audience knew so well Based on Greek mythology that the audience knew so well Purpose of tragedy: to bring about a catharsis: a purification of the emotions so as to bring about spritual renewal or release of tension Purpose of tragedy: to bring about a catharsis: a purification of the emotions so as to bring about spritual renewal or release of tension

Classical Unities One plot One plot One day One day One place One place For Antigone: For Antigone: All in Thebes, no real subplots, all one day All in Thebes, no real subplots, all one day

Antigone by Sophocles Know the story of her father Oedipus Know the story of her father Oedipus He was born to the King and Queen of Thebes and they were told that their son was destined to kill his father and marry his mother. So they abandoned him in the mountains. He was found and raised by another... He was born to the King and Queen of Thebes and they were told that their son was destined to kill his father and marry his mother. So they abandoned him in the mountains. He was found and raised by another...

Marries Jocasta and they have four children: Polynices, Eteocles, Antigone, and Ismene Marries Jocasta and they have four children: Polynices, Eteocles, Antigone, and Ismene When Oedipus finds out what he has done, he gouges out his eyes and Jocasta hangs herself. When Oedipus finds out what he has done, he gouges out his eyes and Jocasta hangs herself. The deal with trading off each year for ruling Thebes b/w the two brothers The deal with trading off each year for ruling Thebes b/w the two brothers

Eteocles won’t let Polynices have his turn, they fight and kill each other. Eteocles won’t let Polynices have his turn, they fight and kill each other. In one day: Creon comes to power as King of Thebes, makes it a crime to bury Polynices, Antigone buries him, she is sentenced to death, Haemon goes to save her, she has hung herself, he kills himself, and then his mother also commits suicide. In one day: Creon comes to power as King of Thebes, makes it a crime to bury Polynices, Antigone buries him, she is sentenced to death, Haemon goes to save her, she has hung herself, he kills himself, and then his mother also commits suicide.

What to know for Antigone Basic plot Basic plot The characters The characters Be able to identify the speaker of certain key passages Be able to identify the speaker of certain key passages

“Then in future I will not bid you help me; nor henceforth, though you desire, shall you, with my good will, share what I do. Be what seems right to you; him will I bury.” “Then in future I will not bid you help me; nor henceforth, though you desire, shall you, with my good will, share what I do. Be what seems right to you; him will I bury.” Antigone Antigone

p. 3 “Obedience is due to the state’s officer in small and great, just and unjust commandments;” “Obedience is due to the state’s officer in small and great, just and unjust commandments;” Creon Creon

p. 26 “Do not persist, thenm, to retain at heart one sole idea, that the thing is right which your mouth utters, and nought else beside. For all men who believe themselves alone wise, or that they possess a soul or speech such as non other, turn them inside out, they are found empty; and though a man be sie, it is no shame for him to live and learn” “Do not persist, thenm, to retain at heart one sole idea, that the thing is right which your mouth utters, and nought else beside. For all men who believe themselves alone wise, or that they possess a soul or speech such as non other, turn them inside out, they are found empty; and though a man be sie, it is no shame for him to live and learn” Haemon Haemon

p. 27 “And be thou sure of this: thou shalt not tell many more turns of the sun’s chariot wheel, ere thou shalt render satisfaction, one from they own loins in payment, dead for dead, for that thou hast made Life join hands with Death and sent a living soul unworthily to dwell within a tomb” “And be thou sure of this: thou shalt not tell many more turns of the sun’s chariot wheel, ere thou shalt render satisfaction, one from they own loins in payment, dead for dead, for that thou hast made Life join hands with Death and sent a living soul unworthily to dwell within a tomb” Tiresias Tiresias

p. 40 “What, would you bury him? Against the proclamation?” “What, would you bury him? Against the proclamation?” You are mad! When Creon has forbidden it?” You are mad! When Creon has forbidden it?” Ismene Ismene

p. 2 “Wisdom first for a man’s well-being “Wisdom first for a man’s well-being Maketh, of all things. Maketh, of all things. Heaven’s insistence nothing allows of man’s irreverence; Heaven’s insistence nothing allows of man’s irreverence; And great blows great speeches avenging, dealt on a boaster, teach men wisdom in age, at last.” And great blows great speeches avenging, dealt on a boaster, teach men wisdom in age, at last.” Chorus Chorus