1. An Introduction to Greek Tragedy
ANTIGONE WEBQUEST
An Introduction to Greek Tragedy
Antigone
Sophocles
Oedipus

2. Greek Actors
Wore masks made from stiffened linen with holes for eyes and mouth
Some masks had two sides to show different moods for different scenes
Wore wigs
Wore thick-soled shoes to make them look taller and padded costumes to make them look fatter or stronger
Learn more about Greek theater – 2350 years ago (bottom left hand corner in the activities section)
Roll your curser over the picture to find the highlighted yellow section. Clicking on that section will allow you to move to the next slide.

3. 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 king or a hero, and the cause of the tragedy was a tragic flaw, or weakness in his or her character.

4. Five Acts of a Tragedy
Act 1: Introduces the character in a state of happiness or height of their power
Act 2: Introduces the problem or dilema
Act 3: Problem reaches a point of crisis, but can be fixed
Act 4: Main character fails to avoid the crisis or catastrophe; disaster occurs
Act 5: Reveals the consequences of that failure

5. Typical Structure of a Tragedy
Ancient Greek playwrights used a consistent format for most of their productions/plays.
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
Watch a “Greek Chorus”

6. Family Life – Antigone’s Dad
Antigone, is part of a trilogy (a group of three related plays, films, operas).
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:
Myth of Oedipus Rex
Oedipus Rex

7. A Tragedy between Brothers
After Oedipus died, his two sons, Polynecies and Eteocles, both wanted to become King of Thebes.
Eteocles becomes the king and Polynecies goes to Argos (another place in Greece) where he raised an army to go back to Thebes and fight his brother.
Polynecies brings the army to Thebes and the two brothers kill each other in battle.

8. 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

9. 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
Haemon
Son of Creon and Eurydice,
Level headed
Engaged to Antigone
Teiresias
prophet
Wise
He is a very respected blind prophet

10. Congratulations! You have just completed the Antigone WebQuest.
You are now ready to begin your reading of the play.