Mrs. Munro
Honors English 9
Antigone: Greek Drama Notes
Name: ________________________________
Date: _________________________________
Directions: Using the packet provided, complete the following notes about Sophocles,
Conventions of Greek Drama, and the elements of a tragedy. Please be detailed and
thorough in your responses. You may work with a partner or partners if you wish.
Partner(s) Name(s): ___________________________________________________
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Sophocles
1. When and where did Sophocles live? ______________________________________
2. What different jobs did Sophocles have in addition to writing plays?
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3. What unique traits in Sophocles’ plays and characters won him many prizes
at festivals? ______________________________________________________________
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4. What innovations did Sophocles introduce to Greek theater? _______________
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5. What is considered Sophocles’ greatest contribution to drama? ____________
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Theatrical Conventions of Greek Drama
6. How did Greek drama develop? ___________________________________________
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7. Why were the plays such popular and important events in Greek society?
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8. Describe a typical amphitheater: __________________________________________
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9. How many men are typically in the chorus? What function does the chorus
serve? What is the relationship between the chorus and the audience?
Explain. _________________________________________________________________
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10. How many actors typically played all the roles? ___________________________
11.What challenges did actors face? What did they do to deal with these
challenges? ______________________________________________________________
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From: “A Study of Sophocles.” Myer, Michael. The Bedford Introduction to Literature. 7th ed. Boston:
Bedford/St. Martins: 2005.
12.Instead of physical action, what do Greek plays tend to emphasize?
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13. A Greek tragedy is typically divided into five parts. Please define them:
prologue: _________________________________________________________________
parodos: _________________________________________________________________
episodia: _________________________________________________________________
stasimon:
_________________________________________________________________
exodus: __________________________________________________________________
Tragedy
14.A literary tragedy is defined as: ___________________________________________
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15. What are the characteristics of the protagonist of Greek tragedy?
__________
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16.
What is a tragic flaw? __________________________________________________
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From: “A Study of Sophocles.” Myer, Michael. The Bedford Introduction to Literature. 7th ed. Boston:
Bedford/St. Martins: 2005.
17.
What is a dramatic irony? _____________________________________________
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From: “A Study of Sophocles.” Myer, Michael. The Bedford Introduction to Literature. 7th ed. Boston:
Bedford/St. Martins: 2005.