Classical Greek Drama Focus: Antigone by Sophocles Elements of Drama

Classical Drama Arose in Athens, Greece, from religious celebrations in honor of Dionysus. Arose in Athens, Greece, from religious celebrations in honor of Dionysus. Dionysus was the god of wine and fertility. Dionysus was the god of wine and fertility. The celebrations included songs and chants performed by a chorus. The celebrations included songs and chants performed by a chorus. During the sixth century B.C. drama evolved from the celebration when individual actors began entering dialogue with the chorus to tell a story. During the sixth century B.C. drama evolved from the celebration when individual actors began entering dialogue with the chorus to tell a story.

Classical Drama continued… Plays were performed in the day in an outdoor theater with seats built into a hillside. Plays were performed in the day in an outdoor theater with seats built into a hillside. Plays were attended by thousands. Plays were attended by thousands. Actors, who were all men, wore elegant robes, elevated shoes, and huge masks. Actors, who were all men, wore elegant robes, elevated shoes, and huge masks. Sophocles used only 3 actors in his play. Sophocles used only 3 actors in his play.

Elements of Classical Drama Tragedy- a drama that recounts the downfall of a dignified, superior character who is involved in historically or socially significant events. Tragedy- a drama that recounts the downfall of a dignified, superior character who is involved in historically or socially significant events. Tragic hero- the protagonist of a work who is in conflict with an opposing character or force. Tragic hero- the protagonist of a work who is in conflict with an opposing character or force. Tragic flaw- a defect possessed by a tragic hero that brings about or contributes to his or her downfall. Tragic flaw- a defect possessed by a tragic hero that brings about or contributes to his or her downfall. Chorus- a group of 15 who comment on the action of the play. Chorus- a group of 15 who comment on the action of the play.

Elements continued… Choragus-the leader of the chorus. Choragus-the leader of the chorus. Myths- traditional stories, often concerning supernatural beings or events, that were told to explain natural processes or phenomena. Myths- traditional stories, often concerning supernatural beings or events, that were told to explain natural processes or phenomena. Legends- stories handed down from the past that are often believed to be based on actual historical events. Legends- stories handed down from the past that are often believed to be based on actual historical events. Metaphor-a comparison between two things that have something in common without using like or as. Metaphor-a comparison between two things that have something in common without using like or as.

Elements continued… Simile- a stated comparison between two things that are actually unlike, but that have something in common by using like or as. Simile- a stated comparison between two things that are actually unlike, but that have something in common by using like or as. Dramatic irony-contrast between what a character knows and what the reader or audience knows. Dramatic irony-contrast between what a character knows and what the reader or audience knows. Personification- a figure of speech in which human qualities are attributed to an object, animal, or idea. Personification- a figure of speech in which human qualities are attributed to an object, animal, or idea. Imagery-words and phrases that re-create vivid sensory experiences for the reader. Imagery-words and phrases that re-create vivid sensory experiences for the reader. Foil-a character who provides a striking contrast to another character. Foil-a character who provides a striking contrast to another character.

Elements continued… Protagonist- central character in a story or play. Protagonist- central character in a story or play. Antagonist- the character or force against which the main character is pitted. Antagonist- the character or force against which the main character is pitted.

Plot Structure of Tragedy

Elements of Plot Exposition- part of a literary work that provides the background information necessary to understand characters and their actions. Exposition- part of a literary work that provides the background information necessary to understand characters and their actions. Rising Action- the part of the plot in which complications develop and the conflict intensifies, building to the climax. Rising Action- the part of the plot in which complications develop and the conflict intensifies, building to the climax. Climax- the moment when the interest or emotional intensity reach their highest. Climax- the moment when the interest or emotional intensity reach their highest.

Elements of Plot continued… Falling Action- occurs after the climax and shows the results of the major events and resolves loose ends in the plot. Falling Action- occurs after the climax and shows the results of the major events and resolves loose ends in the plot. Resolution- return to stability. Resolution- return to stability.

Antigone Background info Written by Sophocles, who was one of the great dramatists of ancient Greece. Written by Sophocles, who was one of the great dramatists of ancient Greece. Antigone is a classical Greek tragedy. Antigone is a classical Greek tragedy. Based on the legend of the family of Oedipus. Based on the legend of the family of Oedipus.

The Legend of Oedipus Oedipus was the doomed King of Thebes. Oedipus was the doomed King of Thebes. He unknowingly killed his father, the King, and married the Queen, his mother. He unknowingly killed his father, the King, and married the Queen, his mother. When he realized the truth, Oedipus blinded himself and went into exile. When he realized the truth, Oedipus blinded himself and went into exile. He was cared for by his two daughters, Antigone and Ismene, until his death. He was cared for by his two daughters, Antigone and Ismene, until his death. Oedipus had two sons, Eteocles and Polyneices. Oedipus had two sons, Eteocles and Polyneices.

After the death of Oedipus Eteocles and Polyneices agreed to share the kingship of Thebes, ruling in alternate years. Eteocles and Polyneices agreed to share the kingship of Thebes, ruling in alternate years. When Eteocles had served his first term as king, he banished Polyneices from Thebes to give him the throne, saying he was unfit to rule. When Eteocles had served his first term as king, he banished Polyneices from Thebes to give him the throne, saying he was unfit to rule. Polyneices enlisted an army from Argos, which is a powerful enemy of Thebes, to fight his brother. Polyneices enlisted an army from Argos, which is a powerful enemy of Thebes, to fight his brother.

Continued… The brothers kill each other in battle. The brothers kill each other in battle. Creon, their uncle, becomes the new king of Thebes. Creon, their uncle, becomes the new king of Thebes. Creon is faced with restoring order in Thebes. Creon is faced with restoring order in Thebes. As the new king, he plans to honor the corpse of one brother and insult the other. As the new king, he plans to honor the corpse of one brother and insult the other.

True or False Classical Drama arose in Athens, Greece. Classical Drama arose in Athens, Greece. True True Antigone was written by Oedipus. Antigone was written by Oedipus. False; Sophocles False; Sophocles The choragus is a group of about 15 who comment on the action of the play. The choragus is a group of about 15 who comment on the action of the play. False; Chorus False; Chorus

True or False continued… The tragic flaw is a defect, possessed by the tragic hero, that brings about or contributes to his or her downfall. The tragic flaw is a defect, possessed by the tragic hero, that brings about or contributes to his or her downfall. True True Antigone is a Classical Greek Comedy. Antigone is a Classical Greek Comedy. False; Tragedy False; Tragedy