ANTIGONE

Getting the Story Straight Origins in religious festivals in honor of Dionysus All actors are men Use masks Playwrights Aeschylus Sophocles Euripedes

Aeschylus 525-455 B.C. Intro 2nd actor Dialogue becomes more important

Sophocles 496-406 B.C. 120 plays, only 7 survive Intro 3rd actor Chorus at 15 men Oedipus Cycle Antigone (441 B.C.) Oedipus Rex (430 B.C.) Oedipus at Colonus (401 B.C.)

Euripedes 480-406 B.C. Most tragic of the three Humanize characters Conflicts more real Reduce role of chorus

Structure of Theater

Masks

Greek Tragedy Structure Prologue Parados Episodes/Scenes Odes Paean Exodos

Prologue Spoken by one or two characters before the chorus appears. The prologue usually gives the background information needed to understand the events of the play

Parados the song sung by the chorus as it makes its entrance

Episodes/Scenes the main action of the play

Odes songs (and often dance) that reflect on the events of the episodes, weave the plot together Choragos: the leader of the chorus who often interacts with the characters in the scenes. Chorus: the singers/dancers who remark on the action

Paean a prayer of thanksgiving to Dionysus in whose honor the Greek plays were performed

Exodos sung by the chorus as it makes its final exit, which usually offers words of wisdom related to the actions and outcome of the play

Oedipus Rex Oracle of Delphi prophesy Rescued by shepherd and given to Polybus and Merope of Corinth Oedipus leaves Corinth to escape prophesy Meets stranger, argues with him, and kills him Goes to Thebes, meets and marries the widow Jocasta

Oedipus Rex cont’d Oedipus and Jocasta have 4 kids Plague strikes Thebes Oracle says need to find murderer of Laius Tiresias warns Oedipus to leave it alone Oedipus discovers the truth Jocasta hangs herself Oedipus puts his own eyes out and exiles himself

Oedipus at Colonus Oedipus now a wanderer pursued by Creon and his men finds refuge at the holy wilderness right outside of Athens Creon catches up and asks to return and bless Eteocles Oedipus upset curses both sons instead Oedipus dies peaceful death His grave sacred to the gods

Bridge between Oedipus and Antigone Oedipus steps down gives kingdom to sons After first year, Eteocles refused to share Polynices attacks with his supporters Seven Against Thebes by Aeschylus Phoenician Women by Euripedes

Antigone Prologue Antigone and Ismene Two sisters discuss edict and Antigone’s intention Ismene refuses to help Curse on the House of Oedipus is introduced

Antigone Parados Chorus rejoices in victory over Polynices The traitor Chorus says pride caused defeat of the invading army