1. Antigone Introduction

2. Sophocles Born around 496 BC Born around 496 BC Family was well off Family was well off As a boy won prizes for wrestling and music As a boy won prizes for wrestling and music Studied poetry, music, dancing, and gymnastics Studied poetry, music, dancing, and gymnastics

3. At 16, was chosen to lead the boys’ chorus At 16, was chosen to lead the boys’ chorus Founded a club for students of the arts Founded a club for students of the arts Sophocles acted in and wrote his own plays. He acted as a girl because he had a weak voice. This is also the reason he stopped acting. Sophocles acted in and wrote his own plays. He acted as a girl because he had a weak voice. This is also the reason he stopped acting.

4. Sophocles served as general of Athens twice (supposedly due to the success of Antigone) Sophocles served as general of Athens twice (supposedly due to the success of Antigone) He refused invitations from numerous Kings to go and live elsewhere. He refused invitations from numerous Kings to go and live elsewhere. Had 2 sons by 2 marriages Had 2 sons by 2 marriages One son brought a law suit against him saying he had gone crazy and needed to hand over his estate to his sons. One son brought a law suit against him saying he had gone crazy and needed to hand over his estate to his sons.

5. He was extremely religious and let his house be used for services while a temple was being built. He was extremely religious and let his house be used for services while a temple was being built. Wrote 123 plays and won 24 victories (96 of his plays won first prize, as they were always produced in 4’s) Wrote 123 plays and won 24 victories (96 of his plays won first prize, as they were always produced in 4’s) Sophocles was an innovator: Sophocles was an innovator: Improved stage scenery Improved stage scenery Reduced importance of the chorus Reduced importance of the chorus Added a third speaking actor to the traditional two Added a third speaking actor to the traditional two

6. Sophocles said he wrote men as they ought to be instead of the way they really were. Sophocles said he wrote men as they ought to be instead of the way they really were. Only seven of his plays survive in their entirety today. Only seven of his plays survive in their entirety today. Sophocles died in 406; he lived to be over 90 years old. Sophocles died in 406; he lived to be over 90 years old.

7. Classical Period 500-400 B.C.

8. Sophocles lived during the Classical Period Sophocles lived during the Classical Period It was a time of transition for Greece It was a time of transition for Greece Political and cultural events were changing and shaping Athenian Culture. Political and cultural events were changing and shaping Athenian Culture. As a dramatist, Sophocles played an important part in this creation of a civilization, which included looking backward to ancient traditions and the first epic poetry of Greece. As a dramatist, Sophocles played an important part in this creation of a civilization, which included looking backward to ancient traditions and the first epic poetry of Greece.

9. Greek burials An elaborate funeral is the last prerequisite of every Athenian. An elaborate funeral is the last prerequisite of every Athenian. The body is washed in perfumed water, clothed in white, a crown of leaves is placed on the head. The body is washed in perfumed water, clothed in white, a crown of leaves is placed on the head. Greeks must have a prompt burial or cremation. Greeks must have a prompt burial or cremation.

10. After war, the victors are bound never to push their vengeance so far as to refuse a “burial truce” to the defeated After war, the victors are bound never to push their vengeance so far as to refuse a “burial truce” to the defeated It is a doubly unlucky admiral who lets his crews get drowned in a sea fight, without due effort to recover the corpses afterward and to give them proper burial. It is a doubly unlucky admiral who lets his crews get drowned in a sea fight, without due effort to recover the corpses afterward and to give them proper burial.

11. A honey cake is placed in the dead’s hands. A honey cake is placed in the dead’s hands. This was either a gift to the gods or a treat to trick the dog “Cerberus,” who guarded the entrance to Hades. This was either a gift to the gods or a treat to trick the dog “Cerberus,” who guarded the entrance to Hades. The body is cremated in an open fire while all relatives stand around and shout their farewells. The body is cremated in an open fire while all relatives stand around and shout their farewells.

12. Greek Theater

13. Attendance at a drama festival was more than entertainment; it was purging of the soul, a union with goodness and truth. Attendance at a drama festival was more than entertainment; it was purging of the soul, a union with goodness and truth. Greek drama was based originally in festivals to worship the god Dionysus Greek drama was based originally in festivals to worship the god Dionysus Dionysus was the god of wine and fertility Dionysus was the god of wine and fertility

14. The Greek theater was built in the open air and was generally quite large. Example: the Theater of Dionysus had more than 17,000 seats The Greek theater was built in the open air and was generally quite large. Example: the Theater of Dionysus had more than 17,000 seats Theaters were usually hollowed out hill sides Theaters were usually hollowed out hill sides Technical devices were used to imitate lightening and thunder, painted scenery Technical devices were used to imitate lightening and thunder, painted scenery

15. Costumes Costumes were elaborate and included wigs and make-up Costumes were elaborate and included wigs and make-up Colors were used as symbols: Colors were used as symbols: Green-mourning Green-mourning Red-someone soliciting services Red-someone soliciting services Purple- royalty Purple- royalty Travelers wore hats Travelers wore hats The tragic hero was set apart by gloves, body padding, and high heeled shoes to add height and significance to the character The tragic hero was set apart by gloves, body padding, and high heeled shoes to add height and significance to the character

16. Since only three people were on stage at a time, multiple masks made possible the doubling of roles. Since only three people were on stage at a time, multiple masks made possible the doubling of roles.

17. Actors Actors had to be able to sing because many lines were lyrical Actors had to be able to sing because many lines were lyrical Actors had to join an actor’s guild and were exempt from military service because of their importance in worshipping Dionysus. Actors had to join an actor’s guild and were exempt from military service because of their importance in worshipping Dionysus. Because of their importance, they were well respected and well paid. Because of their importance, they were well respected and well paid.