1. Greek Tragedy: Intro to Antigone

2. The Role of Gods in Greek Tragedies http://www.history.com/topics/greek- mythology/videos#greek-gods http://www.history.com/topics/greek- mythology/videos#greek-gods

3. Sophocles b. 496 d. 406 b. 496 d. 406 Served as a general with Pericles (441) Served as a general with Pericles (441) Very active in city politics (413) Very active in city politics (413) First tragedy 468 First tragedy 468 First first prize 468 First first prize 468 – Won 18 first prizes – Never finished third

4. Sophocles Introduced the third actor Introduced the third actor Wrote over 120 plays (seven survive) Wrote over 120 plays (seven survive) The most successful are the Big Three The most successful are the Big Three Challenged conventional mores Challenged conventional mores Introduced more dialogue between characters (less Chorus) Introduced more dialogue between characters (less Chorus) Oedipus Tyrannus, Oedipus at Colonus, Antigone, Electra Oedipus Tyrannus, Oedipus at Colonus, Antigone, Electra

5. The Staging of Tragedy “Classical theater resembled today’s rock concerts: the audience knew every number by heart, performers wore high heels, loud costumes and heavy make-up, and they relied on background singers, known as the Chorus.” “Classical theater resembled today’s rock concerts: the audience knew every number by heart, performers wore high heels, loud costumes and heavy make-up, and they relied on background singers, known as the Chorus.” -Howard Tomb

6. Where Was Tragedy Performed? almost every Greek city had a theater almost every Greek city had a theater Theaters could be very small or huge Theaters could be very small or huge Each theater had specific parts Each theater had specific parts Usually in the center of the city Usually in the center of the city

7. The Staging of Tragedy - Actors Only males Wore dramatic masks Were only 3 actors on stage Noisy props and heels

8. What are Greek tragedies about? Plot of a Greek Tragedy – The stories used in tragedy were taken almost exclusively from mythology. These ancient myths and heroic legends were important to the Greeks, for they recorded what was thought to be the collective social, political, and religious history of the people and included many profound tales about the problems of human life and the nature of the gods.

9. What does the audience get out of it? –T–The audience then learned from tragedy what personal motives and outside forces had driven the characters to act as they did. Because poets used plots familiar to their audience, they would have opportunities to use irony and subtle (or not so subtle) allusions.

10. Structure of a Tragedy Greek tragedies were performed without intermissions or breaks. Prologue – the opening scene, in which the background of the story is established, usually by a single actor Parados – the entrance of the chorus, usually chanting a lyric which bears some relation to the main theme of the play Episode – the counterpart of the modern act or scene, in which the plot is developed through action and dialogue between the actors, with the chorus sometimes playing a minor role.

11. Structure of a Tragedy, Cont. Stasimon – the choral ode. A stasimon comes at the end of each episode so that the tragedy is a measured alternation between these two elements. Exodus – the final action after the last stasimon, ended by the ceremonial exit of all the players Strophe – stanza that chorus sings as they move from right to left across the stage Antistrophe – countermovement; stanza that chorus sings as they move from left to right across the stage

12. Define Tragedy A tragedy is an imitation of an action that is serious, has magnitude, and is complete in itself. The incidents in the plot arouse pity and fear on the part of the audience so the end of the tragedy brings about a catharsis, an outlet or purging of emotions aroused in the play. The audience then leaves the theatre cleansed and uplifted.

13. Tragic Hero Since the aim of a tragedy is to arouse pity and fear through an alteration in the status of the central character, the tragic hero must be: – A figure with whom the audience can identify so his fate can trigger the emotions of pity and fear on the part of the audience – True to life and consistent – Highly renowned and prosperous, but superior to everyone – Possesses a flaw in his character that inevitably causes his downfall; this flaw is not a vice but a weakness of character

14. Before reading Antigone, You must first understand the story leading up to it.

15. Oedipus Rex http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXyek9Dd us4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXyek9Dd us4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1V_H6xkl EJ0 (Rap) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1V_H6xkl EJ0

16. The Cursed House of Laios (Thebes) (Corinth) (adoptive)

17. The Cursed House of Laios King Laius Oedipus Queen Jocasts Queen Merope King Polybus CreonEurydice Eteocles (for Thebes) AntigoneIsmene Polyneices (for Argos) HaimonMagareus (Thebes) (Corinth) (adoptive)

18. Rank the following principles according to their importance to you. Give the most important a 1 and the least important a 6. _______ Loyalty or obligation to family _______ Obedience to civil law (police/gov.) _______ Adherence to religious and/or moral law _______ Protection of personal dignity _______ Freedom _______ Protection of community or nation

19. Fate QuickWrites: 1.What is fate? Is it destiny? 2.Can one’s fate be altered? 3.What might happen if people try to control their fate/destiny?