1. Antigone Background

2. Ancient Greek Theatre Greek theatre was rooted in Greek Religion
Polytheistic- belief in more than one God
Monotheistic-belief in one God
Atheistic-belief in no God
Greek Gods were often quick to punish human beings for being guilty of hubris or excessive pride.

3. The Festival of Dionysus
Dionysus- God of Wine
His festival- Dionysia
Where: Ancient Greece
When and how long: Annual for 3 days
Original Chorus: group of singers
Chanted: Hymns (called dithyrambs)

4. The festival of Dionysus Cont
First poet to step away from chorus: Thespis Greek word for actor: Hypokrites
What term: Thespian Definition: someone acting a part
What did he do when he stepped away: Dialogue Origin of our word: Hypocrite
What was born: Drama Definition: a person who puts out a
What did Aeschylus add: a second actor false appearance
What did Sopholces add: a third actor
Three types of plays:
Satyr, Tragedies, and comedies

5. The Greek Theatre Outdoors Near city On a slope In Athens
Sat on wood first Semi-circle
No curtain Masks
Parados: parades
Skene:

6. Define terms Verse Drama: drama that is written to be spoken
Odes: additional songs
Strophe:first section of a Greek ode
Prologue: exposition
Paean: song of praise
Antistrophe: second section of a Greek ode

7. Define Terms Cont. Parados: Opening song Exodus: Final scene
Epode: Concluding stanza
Choragos: chorus leader
Chorus: group of singers
Deus Ex Machina: God in the Machine
En Media Res:

8. Fundamentals of Greek Tragedy
Aristotle wrote: Poetics
Aristotle lived: B.C.
Tragedy: a serious play recounting related events in the life of a person of high rank or importance who is brought low and often meets his or her doom
Tragic Hero: experiences this reversal of fortune as a result of a tragic flaw or profound error in judgement
Protagonist: the person that wants to get something done
Antagonist: the person that stands in the protagonist’s way

9. Fundamentals of Greek Tragedy Cont
Hamartia: tragic flaw
Tragic flaw:
Hubris: excessive pride
Catharsis: a cleansing or release of emotions

10. Oedipus Myth
Three Theban Plays: Antigone, Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus
Laius: Oedipus’ biological father who is told his son will kill him.  Has Oedipus sent away to be killed. This does not work and Oedipus unknowingly kills him.
Jocasta: Oedipus’ biological mother who ends up marrying and having children with Oedipus.  When she finds out she kills herself
Oedipus: son of Laius and Jocasta.  He kills father and marries mother. When he finds out he gouges out his eyes.
Sphinx: creature with lion’s body and bird’s wings and woman’s head. Poses a riddle and won’t leave Thebes without someone solving it.  Oedipus solves the riddle.

11. Oedipus Myth Cont.
Antigone, Ismene, Polneices, and Eteocles: all siblings
Parents: Oedipus and Jocasta
Aunt: Eurydice
Uncle: Creon
Whom is Antigone engaged: Haimon (Creon’s son, Antigone’s cousin)
Who is a blind prophet: Teiresias