1. GREEK THEATER Background Information for “Antigone”

2. PURPOSE OF GREEK DRAMA Dramas presented by the state at annual religious festivals. Plays were supposed to be presented for the purpose of ethical and moral improvement of the spectators and to ensure the spiritual survival of the community. Winners of prizes were selected by ten citizens chosen by lots for the duty.

3. Actors were all male. They wore masks. Actors were all male. They wore masks. Scenes of the drama were always outdoors; indoor actions were reported by messengers. Scenes of the drama were always outdoors; indoor actions were reported by messengers. There was no violence on stage There was no violence on stage There was “unity” in plot -- no subplots or irrelevancies. There was “unity” in plot -- no subplots or irrelevancies. The action always took place in one day. The action always took place in one day. There were no curtains or intermissions. There were no curtains or intermissions. MECHANICS OF GREEK DRAMA

4. CHORUS IN GREEK DRAMA The function of the chorus was to : The function of the chorus was to : set the mood of the drama set the mood of the drama interpret events interpret events relieve the tension relieve the tension generalize meaning of the action generalize meaning of the action converse with and give advice to the actors converse with and give advice to the actors give background information give background information emphasize the beauty of poetry and dancing emphasize the beauty of poetry and dancing leader acted as spokesman for the group leader acted as spokesman for the group

5. SUBJECT OF PLAYS The subject was almost exclusively taken from well- known myths. The subject was almost exclusively taken from well- known myths. The plays explored the mysteries of life and the role of the gods in human affairs. The plays explored the mysteries of life and the role of the gods in human affairs. The main purpose was ethical and religious instruction. The main purpose was ethical and religious instruction.

6. STYLE IN PLAYS There are long, wordy speeches (sometimes about current events or contemporary people). There are long, wordy speeches (sometimes about current events or contemporary people).

7. MESSAGE FROM TRAGEDIES Out of great tragedy comes wisdom. Out of great tragedy comes wisdom.

8. CONCEPT OF TRAGIC HERO AND TRAGEDY (from Aristotle) Tragedy arouses the emotions of pity, fear, wonder and awe. A tragic hero must be a man or woman capable of great suffering. Tragedy explores the question of the ways of God to man. Tragedy purifies the emotions (catharsis) Tragedy shows how man is brought to disaster by a single flaw in his own character.

9. Antigone The Story Behind the Story

10. The Myth of Oedipus Laius (King of Thebes) and Jocasta (Queen) conceive a child. Laius consults the Oracle at Delphi for a prediction of the future The Oracle predicts that a son born to Laius and Jocasta will kill his father and marry his mother.

11. Unbelievable When the son is born, Laius and Jocasta attempt to avert their fates: They drive a rivet into the child’s ankles They give the child to a servant and instruct him to abandon the baby on Mt. Cithaeron.

12. A Guilty Conscience intervenes The servant cannot abandon the child to die, so he gives the child to a shepherd who carries it to Corinth. The child is raised by the King and Queen of Corinth, who name the baby Oedipus (means “swollen foot”). When Oedipus is a young man, he begins to think “I need a life…” He consults the Oracle.

13. Fate Averted Again (or not) Oedipus leaves Corinth to avoid his awful fate. On the journey, he meets a man who rudely forces him from the road. In retaliation, Oedipus pulls the man from his chariot and kills him.

14. Oedipus Travels to Thebes… Thebes is under seige of the Sphinx. Oedipus saves the day. Oedipus receives the throne of Thebes (the Queen is the bonus). All goes well for 20 years.

15. Where Antigone Comes In… Antigone is the daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta She has three siblings: Ismene, sister Polyneices, brother Eteocles, brother Antigone, Ismene live with their uncle, Creon, King of Thebes

16. Prior to the Story of Antigone (before the play opens) In a fight for control of the throne of Thebes, Eteocles and Polyneices kill each other on the field of battle. Because Polyneices raised an army against Thebes, Creon brands him a traitor. He accords Eteocles full burial honors; but not Polyneices…

17. The Characters of the Drama Antigone (daughter of Oedipus) Ismene (her sister) Creon (their uncle, the brother of Jocasta) Eurydice (your-id-i-see) wife of Creon Haimon (son of Creon & Eurydice) Teiresias (Tie-ree-see-as) a blind prophet

18. Conclusion Thank You Thank You Have a nice day Have a nice day