Antigone
by Sophocles
History Behind Antigone
Sophocles SuccessAward-winning playwright
Extended the number of actors on stage
Theban Plays (Oedipus Cycle)
AntigoneOedipus the KingOedipus at Colonus
http://www.users.cloud9.net/~bradmcc/GO/Oedipus1.jpg
CharactersOedipus & JocastaAntigoneIsmenePolyneicesEteoclesCreonHaemon
Greek GodsZeus
The head honcho
HadesGod of the Underworld
Dionyses
HeraZeus’s wife and sister
PersephoneHades’ wife
Demeter
http://jermination.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/greek_gods400.jpg
Classical Drama
Arose in Athens, GreeceEach celebration included chants and songs performed by a group called the chorusDrama evolved as individual actors began entering into a dialogue with the chorus to tell a storyPerformed in honor of Dionysus
God of Wine and Fertility
Structure of PlaysPrologue
Introduces the hero and main conflict of play
ParadosEntrance of the chorus
Body of the PlayDivided into five episodes and choral odesEach episode dramatizes one eventOde follows episode with commentary on event
ExodusDeparture of the characters
The Theater
Greek drama was viewed as a religious festivalPlays were attended by thousands and performed during the day in an outdoor theater with seats built into the hillside
Actors
Actors were all menThey wore elegant robes, huge masks and elevated shoes
Sophocles used three actors in his plays
Between scenes they would change costumes and masks to portray different characters
ChorusGroup of 15 menCommented on the action of the playBetween the scenes, the chorus would sing and dance to musical accompaniment
Give insights into the message of the play
Leader of the Chorus was the ChoragusHe would enter into the dialogue with the actors
Tragedy
A tragedy is a drama that recounts the downfall of a dignified, superior characterThe tragic hero (Protagonist) is in conflict with an opposing character or force (Antagonist)
Aristotle’s Theory of the TragicFlaw
Aristotle believed that a tragic hero possesses a defect, or a tragic flaw that brings about or contributes to his or her downfall.
Poor judgment, pride, weakness
Thank you…come again!