Antigone By Sophocles Background l Written by Sophocles

Antigone By Sophocles

Background l Written by Sophocles l Text written in 441 B. C. l Third in the Theban Plays Trilogy l Written before Oedipus the King and Oedipus at Colonus

Sophocles

Themes l Sins of the father are the sins of the child l Loyalty l Religious v. Political duty l Tyranny v. Democracy l Indifference v. Awareness l Conformity v. Individuality l Law v. Morality l Free will v. Fate l Democracy v. Autocracy l Feminism v. Male power structure l Individual v. State l Conscience v. Law

Cast of Characters l l l l Antigone Creon Ismene Eurydice Haemon Teiresias Polynices/Eteocles

Antigone and Creon Protagonist and Antagonist

Antigone and Ismene

Creon

After Oedipus learns the truth and leaves Thebes… l His two sons Polynices and Eteocles fight with each other for the right to rule Thebes. l Eteocles stays in the city while Polynices with the help of foreign kings, tries to conquer Thebes. l The two brothers kill each other in battle and now the king is Creon, their uncle.

As the new king Creon… l Decides that since Eteocles stayed in Thebes he should be considered the defender of the city and as such be buried as a hero l While Polynices, having sought the help of foreigners, should be considered an enemy of the state and as such Creon orders that he not be buried

Antigone’s choice l Creon the king and Theban law says that Polynices is a traitor and as such can not be buried l Antigone’s conscience and religion tell her that it is against the law of the gods to leave a corpse unburied, and it is her duty as his sister to bury him

Conscience and Responsibility l What are Antigone’s responsibilities? l What are her options? l What is the price to pay?

Greek Theater

The Stage

The Stage Three Main Portions of Greek Theatre: Skene – Portion of stage where actors performed (included 1 -3 doors in and out) Orchestra – “Dancing Place” where chorus sang to the audience Theatron – Seating for audience

The Parts of a Theater l The Skene l The large backdrop l Could be decorated with scenery l Where the action actually took place (hidden) l Roof was accessible l Originally one door in the center, but eventually had three doors

The Skene

The Theaters l Theater of Dionysos Athens l Main theater for tragedy l 4 th century remains l c. 20, 000 seats l Located on side of Acropolis l

The Theaters l Theater of Epidauros The best-preserved l Largest surviving theater l Located near Argos in the Peloponnesus l Sanctuary of Aesclepius l Still in use today l

Theater of Epidauros

Greek Masks