1. Antigone

2. Greek Theater Outdoor structureOutdoor structure Performed at springtime festival honoring the god Dionysus; playwrights competed for prizesPerformed at springtime festival honoring the god Dionysus; playwrights competed for prizes All citizens attended (seats 15,000)All citizens attended (seats 15,000) Religious; stories based on myth or historyReligious; stories based on myth or history

3. Features of Greek Drama Chorus: group that make poetic commentaries on play.Chorus: group that make poetic commentaries on play. Actors were male; usually played more than one roleActors were male; usually played more than one role Costumes: simple robes and masksCostumes: simple robes and masks

4. Greek Chorus Group of performers who represent members societyGroup of performers who represent members society Originally 50 members; Sophocles reduces to 15Originally 50 members; Sophocles reduces to 15 Chant, sing, move and gestureChant, sing, move and gesture Functions:Functions: –Comment on action of play –Present society’s values and beliefs –Illuminate conflicts –Provide background information –Introduce character entering stage Choragos is leader of the chorus; sometimes becomes character in playChoragos is leader of the chorus; sometimes becomes character in play

5. Choral Odes Choral odes: begin and end each sceneChoral odes: begin and end each scene Strophe (Turn): A stanza in which the chorus moves in one direction (toward the altar).Strophe (Turn): A stanza in which the chorus moves in one direction (toward the altar). Antistrophe (Counter-turn): The following stanza, in which it moves in the opposite direction.Antistrophe (Counter-turn): The following stanza, in which it moves in the opposite direction. Epode (After-song): Chanted by the chorus standing still; often omitted.Epode (After-song): Chanted by the chorus standing still; often omitted.

6. Sophocles (496-406 B.C.E) Colonus (near Athens)Colonus (near Athens) –Wealthy –Well-educated Wrote 120 + plays (7 survive)Wrote 120 + plays (7 survive) –Golden Age of Athens (5th c.) –Won 24 prizes Credited with:Credited with: –Improving scenery –Reducing size and importance of chorus –Placing 3rd actor on stage; more interesting interactions

7. Antigone Antigone is one play of a trilogy: –Oedipus Rex (the King) –Oedipus at Colunus –Antigone Myth of Oedipus: –Oracle: a source of knowledge or wise counsel –Sphinx: mythical creature; body of lion and head of man

8. Sphinx’s Riddle: Sphinx blocks the gates of Thebes; will lift curse if someone can solve riddle.Sphinx blocks the gates of Thebes; will lift curse if someone can solve riddle. Riddle: What creature walks on four legs at dawn, two legs at noon, and three legs in the evening?Riddle: What creature walks on four legs at dawn, two legs at noon, and three legs in the evening?

9. Fate vs. Free Will Fate: predetermined course of events.Fate: predetermined course of events. Free Will: freedom of humans to make choices that are not determined by prior causes or by divine interventionFree Will: freedom of humans to make choices that are not determined by prior causes or by divine intervention

10. Comic Relief A humorous character, scene, or witty dialogue in a serious workA humorous character, scene, or witty dialogue in a serious work Relieves tensionRelieves tension Often a bumbling, wisecracking sidekick of the hero or villainOften a bumbling, wisecracking sidekick of the hero or villain

11. Tragedy Aristotle, in his book of literary theory called Poetics, recorded his ideas about tragedy.Aristotle, in his book of literary theory called Poetics, recorded his ideas about tragedy. He defined tragedy as a drama that includes the downfall of a character because of a flaw in that character.He defined tragedy as a drama that includes the downfall of a character because of a flaw in that character.

12. Tragic Character Character holds high status in society; is noble and virtuous but not perfect.Character holds high status in society; is noble and virtuous but not perfect. Character has a tragic flaw or hamartia (characteristic or personality trait that causes him/her to be blind to the consequences of his/her actions; often hubris, or excessive pride or overconfidence) or makes an error in judgment.Character has a tragic flaw or hamartia (characteristic or personality trait that causes him/her to be blind to the consequences of his/her actions; often hubris, or excessive pride or overconfidence) or makes an error in judgment. Character experiences a downfall (good Fortune to bad).Character experiences a downfall (good Fortune to bad).

13. Tragic Character (cont.) Character’s punishment exceeds his/her crime.Character’s punishment exceeds his/her crime. Character gains self-awareness or discovers something as a result of the punishment.Character gains self-awareness or discovers something as a result of the punishment. Audience experiences pity for the character and fears that what has happened to the character could also happen to them. Catharsis occurs when audience sees character suffer his/her fate. Emotions of fear and pity are purged. Communal function of plays.Audience experiences pity for the character and fears that what has happened to the character could also happen to them. Catharsis occurs when audience sees character suffer his/her fate. Emotions of fear and pity are purged. Communal function of plays.