An Introduction to Greek Tragedy

Before beginning your exploration into the world of Antigone, you must first become acquainted with Sophocles Sophocles and The Greek The Greek TheaterTheater.

The following pages will provide you with the information you need.

Born and raised in AthensRegarded as one of the

world’s greatest playwrights.

Frequently won 1st place at the Dionysian festivals (which were competitions between playwrights).

Wrote over 100 plays, but on 7 have survivied

Among the 7 plays are: Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone

Theater was a celebration in ancient Greece that was held in honor of Dionysus (the god of wine). During these celebrations, Athenians gathered to watch competitions between playwrights. It was these competitions that Sophocles often won. The plays performed at these festivals usually exposed arrogance which emphasized reverence for the gods and included tragic events. Although violence and disrespect were central to the plot of most tragic plays, violence was never depicted on stage. Instead, these events occurred off stage.

Tragedy is a work of literature that results in a catastrophe for the main character.

In Greek drama, the main character (Tragic Hero) was always a significant person, a king or a hero, and the cause of the tragedy was a tragic flaw, or weakness in his or her character.

Ancient Greek playwrights used a consistent format for most of their productions.

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.

Prologue – exposition which provide background to the conflict

Parados or parode – Opening song or odeStrophê – the chorus sings a stanza while moving

from right to left while singingAntistrophê - the chorus sings a stanza while

moving from left to right while singingEpode – included in some odes as a final stanza

Paean – a thanksgiving to DionysusExodos – final exiting scene

Audience seating“Dancing Place” where chorus sang to the audience

Thymele

Altar to Dionysus in center of orchestra where sacrifices were made

Building used as a dressing room.

Eto the theater used by the Chorus

Proskenion

Where most of the action took place; also served as a backdrop

Your Task:

You are a detective assigned to investigate the death of Antigone.

Before you can understand her death, you must first become aware of the circumstances surrounding her life.

You will obtain background information about Anigone’s family life, and the society in which she lived, by following the trail of clues linked to her death.

Antigone, is part of a trilogy 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:Oedipus’ Early LifeOedipus’ Exile

As if the tragedy surrounding her father’s life and exile was not horrific enough, Antigone must now face the death of her brothers.

Eteocles and Polyneices

Religion

Government

Funeral Rites

Role of Women – click on the “Daily Life” tab and then click on “Women’s Life”

Hubris – Find the definition

Title: AntigoneAuthor: SophoclesPublication Date: 442 B.CSetting: The city of Thebes – Ancient GreeceGenre: Drama

Name:Name: Relationship Relationship to Others:to Others:

PersonalitPersonality:y:

Situations:Situations:

AntigoneAntigoneDaughter of Daughter of

Oedipus, sister Oedipus, sister of Ismene, niece of Ismene, niece

of Creonof Creon

Strong, firm Strong, firm in her beliefsin her beliefs

Main Main character, in character, in conflict over conflict over the laws of the laws of the gods vs the gods vs laws of manlaws of man

IsmeneIsmeneDaughter of Daughter of

Oedipus, Oedipus, Antigone’s sisterAntigone’s sister

TimidTimid Also in Also in conflict over conflict over the laws of the laws of the gods vs the gods vs laws of manlaws of man

EurydiceEurydiceCreon’s wife, Creon’s wife,

mother of mother of HaimonHaimon

Obeys her Obeys her duties as the duties as the King’s wifeKing’s wife

Wife of the Wife of the KingKing

Name:Name: Relationship Relationship to Others:to Others:

PersonalitPersonality:y:

SituationsSituations::

CreonCreonHusband of Husband of

Eurydice, father Eurydice, father of Haimon of Haimon

Firm in his Firm in his belief, belief,

unbending, unbending, an absolute an absolute

rulerruler

Recently Recently became King became King

of Thebes of Thebes

HaimonHaimonSon of Creon Son of Creon

and Eurydice, and Eurydice, Level headedLevel headed

Engaged to Engaged to AntigoneAntigone

TeiresiasTeiresias prophetprophet Wise Wise He is a very He is a very respected respected

blind prophetblind prophet

PeripeteiaPeripeteia: reversal of fortune  StropheStrophe: chanted as the chorus

moves from right to left across the stage

AnagnorisisAnagnorisis: recognition or discovery on the part of the hero; change from ignorance to knowledge

AntistropheAntistrophe: chanted as the chorus moves back across the stage from left to right.

NemesisNemesis: fate that cannot be escaped

HamartiaHamartia: a tragic flaw, weakness of character or error in judgment which causes the downfall of the hero

 

 HubrisHubris: arrogance or overweening pride which causes the hero’s transgression against the gods.

ParadosParados: the first ode in a Greek tragedy, chanted by the chorus as it enters the orchestra

Tragic HeroTragic Hero: a high-born character whose downfall is brought about by a weakness or error in judgment

ChoragusChoragus: leader of the chorus

TragedyTragedy: an imitation of a serious action which will arouse pity and fear in the viewer

CatharsisCatharsis: purgation of emotions of pity and fear which leaves the viewer both relieved and elated.

You have just completed the Antigone WebQuest.

You are now ready to begin your reading of the play.