Mediterranean Literature World Literature Greece Sophocles Sophocles Born

Mediterranean Literature World Literature

_Greece

_Sophocles

_Sophocles • Born in Collonus [just outside Athens] in 495 BC • Son of wealthy merchant [armor] • As teenager, he was an accomplished poet, musician, dancer • Well-known for his good looks and hot body • At 15 yrs. old, he was selected to lead a boys choir in the paen [hymn of praise to the gods] after victory at Salamis

_Sophocles • Got discovered when he won first prize at the Dionysia [large Athenian festival in honor of the god Dionysis-god of wine] in 468 BC • Playwrights competed by writing three tragedies and one satyr • The 28 yr-old Sophocles knocked off the champ Aeschylus • Sophocles went on to win 24 times [96 1 st prize, 7 2 nd prize plays]

_Sophocles • Revolutionized Greek theater – Introduced painted scenery – New variations of music for the chorus – Increased cast size from 2 actors to 3 and 15 chorus members instead of 12 • Served as a general under Pericles in the Peloponnesian War [431 -404 BC] • Served as priest – Concerned with individual’s need to find his/her place in the moral and cosmic order of the universe

_Sophocles • Sophocles’ plays contain moral lessons about human’s duty to the gods and avoidance of excessive pride • Died in 406 BC and was mourned • Athens built the Dexion [“The Entertainer”] shrine is honor with annual sacrifices in his memory

_The Chorus

_The Chorus • A group of 15 (tragedy) or 24 (comedy) actors that bridge the gap between audience and actor • Served as the narrator and provides the music and dance of the play [wore masks] • Also served as a kind of audience – Asked questions of character[s] – Gave opinions/warnings – Clarified situations/feelings of character[s] – Intensify the emotion – Told hidden fears/secrets of main characters • Chorus members were from the community • It was an honor and a duty [ceremonious--parades]

_Greek Theater

_Greek Theater Orchestra [“dancing space”] – Space for the chorus/actors – Alter to Dionysus in the middle Theatron [“viewing place”] – Spectator seats – Usually built into a hillside

_Greek Theater Skene [“tent”] – Building behind stage – Decorated as a palace or temple or other building [depending on the play] – Doors for actor entrance/exit Parodos [“passageways”] – Paths for chorus/actors for entrance/exit – Entrance/exit for audience

_Greek Drama

_Greek Drama • Performed as part of religious festivals in honor of the god Dionysus [god of wine] • Funded by the state as part of a competition • Tragedies always dealt with mythic stories from the past • Comedies were always contemporary

_Dramatic Structure

_Dramatic Structure Prologue – Spoken by one or two characters before the chorus arrives – Gives background to understand the play Parados – Song sung by chorus as it enters and dances First Episode – Interaction between character[s] and chorus First Stasimon [Choral Ode] – Character[s] leave stage and chorus sings/dances – Reflects things said/done in Episode I – Episodes and Stasimons alternate throughout the rest of the play Exodos – End of play – Chorus exits singing a processional song – Offers words of wisdom related to the play

_Antigone

_Infanticide • Infanticide was common – Leave unwanted baby in the elements – Leave fate to the gods • Reasons included: – Child was female [more than 2 daughters was too expensive] – Not enough money to care for child

_Burial • Not burying the dead would result in consequences from the gods • Women in the family have the duty of burial [prepare body and the service]

_Oikos [Household] • Greek culture centered around a proper household • A well-maintained household means a wellmaintained society • Women not legally/morally responsible for their actions [man would have to take responsibility for the woman] • Females were closely supervised in Ancient Greece [virginity/chastity prized] • Kept close to home [chaperones for public]

_Antigone: The Back Story [Oedipus Rex]

Oedipus’ true parents were a King and Queen. They visited the Oracle at Delphi for information about the future of their child. The oracle gave a terrible prediction that this child would grow up to murder is father and marry his mother. Due to this prediction, after the child was born the father took his son to the hillside, nailed his feet to the earth through the ankles, and left him for the elements. A poor shepherd taking pity on the child took him home. Hearing of a neighboring King and Queen that wanted a son but could not, he brought the child to them. Lovingly they raised this child for their own, naming him Oedipus, or swollen foot, due to his damaged ankles.

Nearing his age of majority, and questioning his parentage, Oedipus goes to Delphi to have an oracle tell his fate. The oracle rages at Oedipus, tells him he sickens her because he is going to kill his father and marry his mother and yells for him to leave at once. Afraid of his fate, and thinking it is the parents that raised him at risk, Oedipus does not go home. Sad, afraid and confused, Oedipus is on the road home and meets a man that angers him. A fight ensues and Oedipus kills the man. After this he heads to Thebes, hearing of a plague upon the city he feels it is fitting place for him. A sphinx is terrorizing the city with plagues and will only stop if someone solves a specific riddle. Oedipus solves this riddle. Heralded for his mind, the people wish for him to be their King. The Queen’s husband, having been recently killed, has left a need for new ruler. Oedipus marries this queen, Jocasta, and rules the kingdom. After many years and four children, Eteokles, Polyneices, Ismene, and Antigone, a plague is again brought upon the city. It comes out, through the blind prophet, Tierisies, that the reason for the plague is incest in the house. It turns out that the man Oedipus killed on the road was his true father and the Queen was Oedipus’ true mother. Therefore, his children are also his brothers’ and sisters. Terrorized by this horror, Jocasta, the queen, commits suicide. Oedipus stabs out his own eyes and banishes himself from the kingdom of Thebes.

After Oedipus’ banishment, his daughter Antigone guides him in his travels all over Greece. Eteokles and Polyneices are to alternate in ruling Thebes, but Eteokles refuses to step down after his turn. Polyneices marries the king of Argos’ daughter and returns with the Argive army to conquer Thebes. In the mean time, after several years, Oedipus wishes to return to his kingdom, but his sons do not wish to have him back. However, a prophecy tells that anywhere Oedipus is buried will receive great riches. So his sons now only want him back once he is dead. Oedipus curses his sons, Eteokles and Polyneices, for this refusal. The curse entails that his sons will either destroy Thebes or kill each other. The night before our play, Antigone, begins, the brothers have killed each other, Thebes is saved, and Jocasta’s brother Creon is the new king.