Introducing:
Antigone
A Greek Tragedy
by Sophocles
Greek Theater came out of
festivals that were given to
honor the Greek God
Dionysus
The Dionysiac ceremonies were simple at
the beginning.
Little by little they became more complex
and were accompanied by flute, and
drums.
The God: Dionysus
• God of Fertility and Wine
• Some Athenians worshiped him.
They were the cult of Dionysus.
– Drank wine
– Ate raw flesh
Greek Theater came out of
festivals that were given to honor
the Greek God Dionysus
Developed over several hundred
years
Eventually, it evolved into
modern theater (over
thousands of years).
Sophocles introduced a number
of changes to the theater.
Sophocles
Chorus
• The chorus was considered to be the
mouthpiece of society (in its humble form) and
morality and suffered along with the heroes.
• After Sophocles, the chorus had 15 members
who stood in a circle.
Architecture of Ancient
Greek Theater
• Greek theatre buildings
were called a theatron
('seeing place')
• The theatres were large,
open-air structures
constructed on the
slopes of hills.
The centerpiece of the theatre was the orchestra,
or "dancing place", a large circular or rectangular
area.
Site of the choral performances, the religious rites,
and, possibly, the acting. An altar was located in
the middle of the orchestra; in Athens, the altar
was dedicated to Dionysus.
SKENE-Behind the orchestra
used as a "backstage" area where
actors could change their costumes
and mask, Sophocles first started
painting scenery to the façade of the
skene.
The Stage
Paraskenia
The Theaters
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Theater of Dionysos
Athens
 Main theater for tragedy
 4th century remains
 c. 20,000 seats
 Located on side of Acropolis
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The Theaters
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Theater of Epidauros
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The best-preserved
Largest surviving theater
Located near Argos
in the Peloponnesus
Sanctuary of Aesclepius
Still in use today
Theater of Epidauros
Greek Masks
Ancient Greek Masks
•
The use of masks in ancient greek theater draw their origin from the
ancient dionysiac cult.
•
The members of the chorus wore masks, usually similar to each other
but completely different from the leading actors
•
Because the number of actors varied from one to three, they had to put
on different masks, in order to play more roles.
•
The actors were all men. The mask was therefore necessary to let them
play the female roles.
Antigone
• a tragedy written in 442 BC
by Sophocles
• Chronologically, the third of
the three Theban plays but
was written first.
– Oedipus the King
– Oedipus at Colonus
– Antigone
Cast of Characters
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Antigone
Creon
Ismene
Eurydice
Haemon
Teiresias
Polynices/Eteocles
Previously, on Oedipus Rex…
• After Oedipus is exiled, he leaves the
ruling rights of Thebes to his two sons,
Eteocles and Polynices who must take
turns to rule Thebes.
• Eteocles rules
first …
Previously, on Oedipus Rex…
• ...But the two becomes enemies after
Eteocles refuses to give up the throne.
Polynices makes a deal with a mutual
enemy to regain the throne, but is found out
and is exiled.
• Polynices goes to war with Thebes (his
brother), and during the war the brothers
duel…
Previously, on Oedipus Rex…
• …And at the beginning of Antigone, both
brothers are dead, apparently slain by the
other's hand.
• The current
ruler, Creon, has
made a decree:
Since Polynices
fought against
Thebes, he shall
not be buried.
Meanwhile,
Eteocles is to be
buried with full
military honors.
• Antigone, the sister of
the dead brothers,
believes this
proclamation to be
against the gods'
orders.
• She decides to bury
Polynices herself and
tells her sister Ismene.
Ismene is afraid and
refuses to take part in
the burial, but agrees
that it is the right thing
to do...
• The play is about Antigone’s decision and
the sacrifice that it costs her to stand up for
what she believes is right.
Themes
Sins of the father are the sins of the child.
 Loyalty is costly.
 Religious and political duties often conflict.
 Conformity is easier than individuality.
 Fate and free will affect each other.
 Women are often disrespected by men in power.
 The individual is more important than the State.
 The conscience should rule over the law.
 With conscience comes responsibility.
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Conscience and Responsibility
What are Antigone’s responsibilities?
 What are her options?
 What is the price she must pay for her choice?
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Why study Antigone?
• Ancient Greek Drama is the basis for all
modern drama and film.
• The story gives many important clues to the
Ancient Greek culture and their ideals.
• Tragedies still contain the basic elements with
which they originated.
• The play offers insight
about what it means
to be human.
Antigone must make a choice
about what she believes is
important.
What do you believe is important, above all
else? Why do you believe this? What
experiences have led you to this belief?