1. An Introduction to Greek Tragedy
ANTIGONE WEBQUEST
An Introduction to Greek Tragedy

2. Welcome to the Antigone WebQuest!
Before beginning your exploration into the world of Antigone, you must first become acquainted with Sophocles and The Greek Theater.
The following pages will provide you with the information you need.

3. Task 1
Read the following information about Greek theater and answer the questions on your guide.

4. The Greek Theater
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 playwrites. 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.

5. Tragedy
Tragedy is a work of literature that results in a catastrophe for the main character.
In Greek drama, the main character 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.

6. Typical Structure of a Tragedy
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

7. The typical structure of a tragedy is as follows:
Prologue – exposition which provide background to the conflict
Parados or parode – Opening song or ode
Strophê – the chorus sings a stanza while moving from right to left while singing
Antistrophê - the chorus sings a stanza while moving from left to right while singing
Epode – included in some odes as a final stanza
Paean – a thanksgiving to Dionysos
Exodos – final exiting scene

8. Meet Sophocles (496-406 B.C.) Sophocles was born and raised in Athens
He is regarded as one of the world’s greatest playwrights.
He frequently won 1st place at the Dionysian festivals, which were competitions between playwrights.
During his life, he wrote over 100 plays, but only 7 have
survived.
Among these 7 are: Oedipus the King, Oedipus at
Colonus, and Antigone.

9. Task 2
Continue your notes to include each of the five elements listed pertaining to Greek Society.

10. Greek Society Religion Government Funeral Rites Role of Women
Hubris and Hamartia– Find the definition

11. Task 3
Intro to the play…

12. Title: Antigone
Author: Sophocles
Publication Date: 442 B.C
Setting: The city of Thebes – Ancient Greece
Genre: Drama/Tragedy

13. Relationship to Others: Personality: Situations:
Name:
Relationship to Others:
Personality:
Situations:
Antigone
Daughter of Oedipus, sister of Ismene, niece of Creon
Strong, firm in her beliefs
Main character, in conflict over the laws of the gods vs laws of man
Ismene
Daughter of Oedipus, Antigone’s sister
Timid
Also in conflict over the laws of the gods vs laws of man
Eurydice
Creon’s wife, mother of Haimon
Obeys her duties as the King’s wife
Wife of the King

14. Relationship to Others: Personality: Situations:
Name:
Relationship to Others:
Personality:
Situations:
Creon
Husband of Eurydice, father of Haimon
Firm in his belief, unbending, an absolute ruler
Recently became King of Thebes
Haimon
Son of Creon and Eurydice,
Level headed
Engaged to Antigone
Teiresias
prophet
Wise
He is a very respected blind prophet

15. Congratulations! You have just completed the Antigone WebQuest.
You are now ready to wait to hear the story of Oedipus and create a family tree!

16. Task 4
Go to this website, watch the video and read about Using information you hear from the story of Oedipus, create a FAMILY TREE for Antigone.
The family tree must include…
1) all relevant family members in her “dramatic” life
2) a description of each person (their role in the plays, defining characteristics, brief history, etc)
3) a key explaining connecting lines
ex. Direct relation
Married
Engaged
4) Your personal creative touch!