1. Antigone
By Sophocles

2. Background Written by Sophocles Text written in 441 B.C.
Third in the Theban Plays Trilogy
Written before Oedipus the King and Oedipus at Colonus

3. Sophocles

4. Themes Sins of the father are the sins of the child Loyalty
Religious v. Political duty
Tyranny v. Democracy
Indifference v. Awareness
Conformity v. Individuality
Law v. Morality
Free will v. Fate
Democracy v. Autocracy
Feminism v. Male power structure
Individual v. State
Conscience v. Law

5. Cast of Characters Antigone Creon Ismene Eurydice Haemon Teiresias
Polynices/Eteocles

7. Antigone and Creon Protagonist and Antagonist

8. Antigone and Ismene

9. Creon

10. After Oedipus learns the truth and leaves Thebes…
His two sons Polynices and Eteocles fight with each other for the right to rule Thebes.
Eteocles stays in the city while Polynices with the help of foreign kings, tries to conquer Thebes.
The two brothers kill each other in battle and now the king is Creon, their uncle.

11. As the new king Creon…
Decides that since Eteocles stayed in Thebes he should be considered the defender of the city and as such be buried as a hero
While Polynices, having sought the help of foreigners, should be considered an enemy of the state and as such Creon orders that he not be buried

12. Antigone’s choice
Creon the king and Theban law says that Polynices is a traitor and as such can not be buried
Antigone’s conscience and religion tell her that it is against the law of the gods to leave a corpse unburied, and it is her duty as his sister to bury him

13. Conscience and Responsibility
What are Antigone’s responsibilities?
What are her options?
What is the price to pay?

14. Greek Theater

15. The Stage

17. The Stage Three Main Portions of Greek Theatre:
Skene – Portion of stage where actors performed (included 1-3 doors in and out)
Orchestra – “Dancing Place” where chorus sang to the audience
Theatron – Seating for audience

18. The Parts of a Theater The Skene The large backdrop
Could be decorated with scenery
Where the action actually took place (hidden)
Roof was accessible
Originally one door in the center, but eventually had three doors

19. The Skene

21. The Theaters Theater of Dionysos Athens Main theater for tragedy
4th century remains
c. 20,000 seats
Located on side of Acropolis

22. The Theaters Theater of Epidauros The best-preserved
Largest surviving theater
Located near Argos
in the Peloponnesus
Sanctuary of Aesclepius
Still in use today

23. Theater of Epidauros

24. Greek Masks