Antigone by Sophocles Introduction PreAP English 2

Directions We will learn important background information before reading the play Antigone. We will learn important background information before reading the play Antigone. Take notes! Take notes!

History Drama began in ancient Greece with a religious ceremony called a Dithyramb, during which masked men danced, sang songs, and rejoiced in the harvest. Drama began in ancient Greece with a religious ceremony called a Dithyramb, during which masked men danced, sang songs, and rejoiced in the harvest. The songs told stories of the god Dionysus, the god of Spring, agriculture, wine, and natural fertility. The songs told stories of the god Dionysus, the god of Spring, agriculture, wine, and natural fertility. He became the patron god of the Greek stage. He became the patron god of the Greek stage.

History In ancient Greek drama, a chorus was a group of actors who recited or sang in verse. In ancient Greek drama, a chorus was a group of actors who recited or sang in verse. The leader of the chorus was called choragos. The leader of the chorus was called choragos.

History In 534 B.C., a poet named Thespis created a character who was separate from the chorus of singers. This was the first actor. In 534 B.C., a poet named Thespis created a character who was separate from the chorus of singers. This was the first actor.

History The great poet Aeschylus ( B.C.) added a second actor, which led to more interesting dialogue and conflict on stage. The great poet Aeschylus ( B.C.) added a second actor, which led to more interesting dialogue and conflict on stage.

History Sophocles ( B.C.) added a third actor, and the chorus became more of a background narrator. Sophocles ( B.C.) added a third actor, and the chorus became more of a background narrator.

History In Ancient Greece, the chorus explained the action, asked questions, or expressed opinions to increase the audience's understanding of the play. In Ancient Greece, the chorus explained the action, asked questions, or expressed opinions to increase the audience's understanding of the play. The chorus often linked the scenes of the drama and was performed to the accompaniment of musical instruments and with dance movements. The chorus often linked the scenes of the drama and was performed to the accompaniment of musical instruments and with dance movements.

History The Chorus was most likely a survivor from the original rituals of the Dithyramb. The Chorus was most likely a survivor from the original rituals of the Dithyramb. During Sophocles’ time, the chorus also played a number of roles, such as a city crowd. During Sophocles’ time, the chorus also played a number of roles, such as a city crowd. For Sophocles, the chorus was an Athenian “everyman,” representing the average citizen of Athens. For Sophocles, the chorus was an Athenian “everyman,” representing the average citizen of Athens.

Chorus in Today’s Theater In contemporary theater, musicals often have a chorus that sings or dances. In contemporary theater, musicals often have a chorus that sings or dances.

Chorus in Today’s Theater The Lion King The Lion King Hercules Hercules Chicago Chicago

History The Greeks watched plays in large outdoor amphitheaters. The Greeks watched plays in large outdoor amphitheaters. The seats rose in a semicircle around the ground-level stage. The seats rose in a semicircle around the ground-level stage.

History Painted scenery could be hung in the back. Painted scenery could be hung in the back. The actors wore large masks that helped the audience members – even those in the back – identify the characters. The actors wore large masks that helped the audience members – even those in the back – identify the characters. The masks also helped amplify their voices for the audience. The masks also helped amplify their voices for the audience.

History Greek drama focused on myths with which the audience was familiar. Greek drama focused on myths with which the audience was familiar.

Important Terms A tragedy is about the fall of a great man or woman (though, in Ancient Greece, her part would have been acted by a man). A tragedy is about the fall of a great man or woman (though, in Ancient Greece, her part would have been acted by a man). The protagonist of a tragedy is the tragic hero. The protagonist of a tragedy is the tragic hero.

Important Terms A tragic hero possesses the following traits: A tragic hero possesses the following traits: Noble birth Noble birth Great or virtuous Great or virtuous Destined for defeat, failure, death Destined for defeat, failure, death Possesses a tragic flaw that leads to his or her downfall Possesses a tragic flaw that leads to his or her downfall Intelligent, and therefore aware of (or learns) the consequences of his or her actions Intelligent, and therefore aware of (or learns) the consequences of his or her actions

Important Terms A tragic hero is destroyed by his or her hamartia – a tragic flaw within his or her own character. A tragic hero is destroyed by his or her hamartia – a tragic flaw within his or her own character. The tragic hero’s flaw is often hubris, or excessive pride. The tragic hero’s flaw is often hubris, or excessive pride.

Important Terms Fate is central to Greek Drama. Fate is the force that will ensure the tragic downfall. Fate is the force beyond the tragic hero’s control. Fate is central to Greek Drama. Fate is the force that will ensure the tragic downfall. Fate is the force beyond the tragic hero’s control.

Common Themes Human excess (pride, passion) Human excess (pride, passion) The limitations of human knowledge, sympathy, and foresight The limitations of human knowledge, sympathy, and foresight All decisions involve living with the unforeseen consequences All decisions involve living with the unforeseen consequences

Dramatic Structure Ancient Greek playwrites followed a format: Ancient Greek playwrites followed a format: Prologue: presents background on the conflict Prologue: presents background on the conflict Parodos: opening song, followed by the first scene Parodos: opening song, followed by the first scene Odes: additional songs, followed by more scenes. Odes: additional songs, followed by more scenes. Paean: thanksgiving to Dionysos Paean: thanksgiving to Dionysos Exodos: the final scene Exodos: the final scene

Dramatic Structure The Chorus performed the songs, while the actors performed the scenes. Odes typically followed this structure: The Chorus performed the songs, while the actors performed the scenes. Odes typically followed this structure: During the strophe (the first part of the ode), the chorus would move / dance from right to left. During the strophe (the first part of the ode), the chorus would move / dance from right to left. They moved in the opposite direction during the antistrophe, a verse answering the strophe. They moved in the opposite direction during the antistrophe, a verse answering the strophe. Sometimes the ode ended with an epode, an added song. Sometimes the ode ended with an epode, an added song.

Dramatic Structure The Chorus helped divide the play into scenes, as the Greek stage did not have curtains or lighting. The Chorus helped divide the play into scenes, as the Greek stage did not have curtains or lighting.

Background to Antigone To understand this play, you must know the myth of Oedipus. To understand this play, you must know the myth of Oedipus.myth of Oedipusmyth of Oedipus

Oedipus: Dysfunctional Family Deluxe Laius and Jocasta, the king and queen of Thebes, desperately wanted a child to be their heir. Laius and Jocasta, the king and queen of Thebes, desperately wanted a child to be their heir. The Oracle at Delphi told Laius he would have a son, but the son would kill him. The Oracle at Delphi told Laius he would have a son, but the son would kill him. When his son was born, Laius ordered a servant to nail the baby to a mountain and leave him there to die. When his son was born, Laius ordered a servant to nail the baby to a mountain and leave him there to die. Instead, the servant gave the boy to a shepherd, who turned over the baby to the king of Corinth, Polybus. Instead, the servant gave the boy to a shepherd, who turned over the baby to the king of Corinth, Polybus.

Oedipus When the baby, Oedipus, grew up, he also sought advice from the oracle. He was told to avoid his homeland because he might be a danger to his family. When the baby, Oedipus, grew up, he also sought advice from the oracle. He was told to avoid his homeland because he might be a danger to his family. Oedipus, not wanting to hurt Polybus, decides to leave home forever and travels down the road toward Thebes. Oedipus, not wanting to hurt Polybus, decides to leave home forever and travels down the road toward Thebes. Meanwhile, a plague has attacked the city of Thebes and a Sphinx (woman’s head and lioness’s body) is wreaking havoc on the people. The only way to end the plague is to answer the Sphinx’s riddle so the curse is lifted. Laius is traveling toward to oracle to seek help and encounters Oedipus at the crossroads. The fight over who has the right of way, and Oedipus kills Laius. Meanwhile, a plague has attacked the city of Thebes and a Sphinx (woman’s head and lioness’s body) is wreaking havoc on the people. The only way to end the plague is to answer the Sphinx’s riddle so the curse is lifted. Laius is traveling toward to oracle to seek help and encounters Oedipus at the crossroads. The fight over who has the right of way, and Oedipus kills Laius.

Oedipus Back in Thebes, they’ve heard that Laius is dead and the people are panicking about finding a proper ruler since there is no heir. Creon, Jocasta’s brother, offers up the queen’s hand to the first person who can solve the riddle of the Sphinx. Back in Thebes, they’ve heard that Laius is dead and the people are panicking about finding a proper ruler since there is no heir. Creon, Jocasta’s brother, offers up the queen’s hand to the first person who can solve the riddle of the Sphinx.

Oedipus Guess who shows up in Thebes? That’s right – Oedipus arrives in what is a “foreign” city to him (but really his homeland), and right away, he is able to answer the riddle. (What animal walks on four feet in the morning, two feet in the afternoon, and three feet in the evening? The answer: a human crawls on all fours at the beginning of its life, walks upright on two feet as an adult, and uses a cane during the twilight years.) Guess who shows up in Thebes? That’s right – Oedipus arrives in what is a “foreign” city to him (but really his homeland), and right away, he is able to answer the riddle. (What animal walks on four feet in the morning, two feet in the afternoon, and three feet in the evening? The answer: a human crawls on all fours at the beginning of its life, walks upright on two feet as an adult, and uses a cane during the twilight years.)

Oedipus Oedipus marries Jocasta (not realizing that she is his mother!!!) and they have four children: Polyneices, Eteocles, Ismene, and Antigone. Oedipus marries Jocasta (not realizing that she is his mother!!!) and they have four children: Polyneices, Eteocles, Ismene, and Antigone. The plague continued to ravage Thebes, though, so much time and effort was spent trying to find out what they might have done to anger the gods. King Polybus, old and dying, sends a messenger to Thebes asking his “son” to come and visit. Oedipus refuses, remembering the words of the Oracle. The plague continued to ravage Thebes, though, so much time and effort was spent trying to find out what they might have done to anger the gods. King Polybus, old and dying, sends a messenger to Thebes asking his “son” to come and visit. Oedipus refuses, remembering the words of the Oracle.

Oedipus The messenger is the same man who gave the baby to Polybus years ago, so he finally reveals the truth to Oedipus. The messenger is the same man who gave the baby to Polybus years ago, so he finally reveals the truth to Oedipus. Jocasta is ashamed and kills herself. Oedipus gouges out his eyes and roams the earth until the gods take pity on him and sweep him away from the earthly life. (Note: Antigone travels with him.) Jocasta is ashamed and kills herself. Oedipus gouges out his eyes and roams the earth until the gods take pity on him and sweep him away from the earthly life. (Note: Antigone travels with him.)

At the beginning of the Antigone… Polyneices and Eteocles, both sons of Oedipus, decided to share the throne. Eteocles would rule for one year, and then Polyneices, etc. Polyneices and Eteocles, both sons of Oedipus, decided to share the throne. Eteocles would rule for one year, and then Polyneices, etc. After one year, Eteocles refused to give up the throne to Polyneices. They fight and kill one another. After one year, Eteocles refused to give up the throne to Polyneices. They fight and kill one another. Creon, their uncle, is now king. Creon, their uncle, is now king. Creon decides that Eteocles will receive a proper burial, but Polyneices is treated as an enemy of Thebes. He will not be buried. Creon decides that Eteocles will receive a proper burial, but Polyneices is treated as an enemy of Thebes. He will not be buried.

Antigone: Characters Antigone Antigone Ismene, Antigone’s sister Ismene, Antigone’s sister King Creon, Antigone’s uncle King Creon, Antigone’s uncle Queen Eurydice, Antigone’s aunt Queen Eurydice, Antigone’s aunt Polyneices, Antigone’s brother Polyneices, Antigone’s brother Eteocles, Antigone’s brother Eteocles, Antigone’s brother Haimon, Antigone’s fiance and cousin Haimon, Antigone’s fiance and cousin Teiresias, a blind prophet Teiresias, a blind prophet Chorus Chorus