1. ANTIGONE

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

3. Aeschylus B.C.
Intro 2nd actor
Dialogue becomes more important

4. 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.)

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

6. Structure of Theater

7. Masks

8. Greek Tragedy Structure
Prologue
Parados
Episodes/Scenes
Odes
Paean
Exodos

9. 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

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

11. Episodes/Scenes
the main action of the play

12. 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

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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

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