Antigone Background Notes

Oedipus Rex – A summary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wuOC6FVOaw

Social and Political—Athens, 5th century B.C. Sophocles, born in Athens in 497 B.C., was the most well-known of the ancient Greek dramatists. In Athens, this was a time of great achievements in all forms of art. The people, energetic and busy, also had a strong sense of patriotism. The Athenian government at that time was an exclusive democracy, run by elected officials in the form of an open assembly. Participation in this democracy, however, was limited to only about ten percent of the population; women, slaves, and other “non-citizens” were excluded. Sophocles, although a member of the ruling class, was aware of the social inequalities in this society. In his plays he repeatedly warned Greeks of the destruction that would come to them as a result of their prejudices and the impoverished conditions that many people lived under.

Religious Ideas The Greeks worshipped numerous gods, who had human attributes. In addition to their gods, the Greeks believed in Fate as a divine force, even stronger than the gods. Although no one could know his or her fate, the Greeks used omens, dreams, oracles, and soothsayers to try to learn the will of the gods. The Greeks felt that the gods became angry with people who were guilty of pride or any other kind of excess. People who knew their limitations and lived moderately were living correctly. Although the Greeks focused on people in everyday life, they did write of the immortality of a soul in Hades. One important religious duty was the burial of dead relatives. In Antigone, this becomes a crucial point.

Origins of Greek Drama To celebrate their gods, the Greeks held many religious festivals. During these festivals, drama was an important part of the rituals. All Athenian citizens and non-citizens attended the religious celebration, a theatrical performance to honor the god Dionysus, who suffered, died, and was resurrected. The early tragedies imitate this cycle of despair followed by the ecstasy of enlightenment. These plays were choral lyrics, with one actor taking several roles and conversing with the leader of the chorus between performances of the chorus. In time, tragedies were based on myths, with choral odes alternating with dialogue. The plays were presented in order to teach a moral lesson. The first theater was on the slopes of the Acropolis. People sat in the open air on benches, which surrounded the stage on three sides. Because it was a religious ceremony, the performance was dignified and serious. People expected to be awakened to truth and to experience a discussion on life’s most serious issues.

Greek Tragedy The Greek tragedy focuses on the tragic hero. This tragic hero is a great man who has one tragic flaw, which brings about his downfall. As the hero accepts the consequences of his errors, he teaches the audience some truth of life. The people watching are to experience a catharsis, a heightening of emotions as they watch the hero suffer and they identify with his problems. In the end, the audience feels purged, drained of its emotions, and better able to understand life.

Stage Conventions of Greek Theater 1. Use of dramatic irony - Since the audience was familiar with the plots, taken from wellknown myths, the audience always had more information about the action than the characters on stage. 2. The plays were performed in the daytime; there were no curtains and they had few props. 3. All actors were male. They wore masks, wigs, and high boots, all of which added to the formality of the performances. 4. To increase dramatic intensity, the plays observed “the three unities” that Aristotle had set forth: A. unity of time—All the action of the play took place within twenty-four hours; dialogue provided background information as to what actions might have occurred before the play begins. B. unity of place—Action was limited to one setting; one unchanged scene was used. Violence and death took place offstage. C. unity of action —The focus was on the main character and what revolved around him or her. There were no sub-plots.

Stage Conventions, Cont. 5. Messengers were used to tell the audience about what happened offstage. Because of the religious intent and dignified style, no violence was shown on stage. The messenger came on stage and spoke to the audience of any deaths or killings. 6. An essential element of Greek drama involved the use of a chorus: a. fifteen to twenty men represented citizens b. they were always on stage, and they frequently sang or danced c. they always had a leader who carried on a dialogue with the main characters or with the rest of the chorus.

Stage Conventions, Cont. The function of the chorus was to: a. set the tone b. give background information c. recall events of the past d. interpret and summarize events e. ask questions f. at times, give opinions g. give advice, if asked h. stay objective and impartial i. act like a jury of elders or wise men, who listened to the evidence in the play and reached a moral conclusion at the end.