Antigone by Sophocles Written 440 B C Tragedy
Antigone by Sophocles Written 440 B. C.
Tragedy & the Tragic Hero • Tragedy: a drama that tells of the downfall of a dignified or superior person. • Tragic Hero: protagonist; in conflict with an antagonist. – T. H. falls as a result of a catastrophe that leads to a disastrous conclusion – Twists of fate (coincidences, near misses, etc. ) play a role in T. H. ’s destruction – Has a “tragic flaw”: a defect that brings about/causes the hero’s downfall (Aristotle) – T. H. realizes his/her flaw & mistakes they’ve made, but always too late to change outcome
Drama • Classical drama began in Athens, in Ancient Greece – Plays were originally religious celebrations for Dionysus, god of wine/fertility – They were celebrations with a chorus that would perform songs/chants – In the 6 th century BC, individual actors were added who spoke dialogue, creating dramas
The Theater • First theaters were outdoors, set into hillsides with a raised platform (stage) at the bottom. Amphitheater
Early Actors • Were all men • Wore masks & robes; also played women’s parts • The chorus, a group of 15 men, all spoke at once (choral reading) – Commented on the action of the play – Choragus was the leader of the chorus
Antigone: the play • Considered a perfect example of a Greek tragedy • Characters come into conflict bc they stand behind their values & principles • Like most Greek tragedies, Antigone is based on a myth or familiar legend • Myth of Oedipus Rex
Trilogy of Oedipus Storyline: • • Ed’s dad went to an oracle (prophet; psychic) Oracle said: Ed will kill dad & marry mom Ed’s dad sent him away for adoption to avoid fate Ed grows up knowing nothing of true ID Ed kills a man on the road & marries Jocasta, a widow They have 4 kids together Ed later finds out the he killed dad & married mom Ed gouges out his eyes & lives in exile
Legacy • Oedipus & Jocasta had 4 kids: – Antigone (an-tig-o-nee) – Ismene (is-me-nee) – Eteocles (e-tee-oh-cleez) – Polynieces (polly-nee-seez)
• After Ed’s death, E & P co-rule Thebes - When E. is in charge and P. is out of town, he banishes P. (wants all power for self) - P. declares war on E. & Thebes - E & P kill each other in battle
Problem • Uncle Creon takes the throne (women can’t rule) – Decrees that no one may bury P. since he was a traitor to his city – Anyone that tires will be executed – Leaving a corpse unburied damns the soul to eternal unrest (very bad) – Antigone wants to try to bury him in order to save his soul, despite warnings (morality vs. law)
Questions?
- Slides: 11