SOPHOCLES AND ANTIGONE
A Look at Ancient Greek Tragedy
ANCIENT GREEK THEATER
A Review
GREEK DRAMA: THREE MAIN TYPES
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Comedy – Old Comedy began as plays that were
mainly satirical and mocked men in power. New
Comedy was the evolution of plays to make fun of
every day life and ordinary people.
Tragedy – Tragedy depicts the downfall of a noble
hero or heroine, usually through some combination
of pride, fate, and the will of the gods. The tragic
hero's powerful wish to achieve some goal inevitably
encounters limits, usually those of human frailty, the
gods (through oracles, prophets, fate), or nature. The
hero need not die at the end, but he / she must
undergo a change in fortune. In addition, the tragic
hero may achieve some revelation or recognition
about human fate, destiny, and the will of the gods.
Satyr plays – Satyr plays were short plays conducted
between the acts of tragedies that would mock the
plight of the tragedy’s characters.
GREEK TRAGEDY’S DRAMATIS PERSONAE
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Tragic Hero – our main character, usually noble in birth,
who must go through unfortunate events.
Chorus – a group of twelve or fifteen men, led by a
Choragus, who would sing and choral songs that dictated
what was happening in the play and forced the audience to
question what was going on in the tragedy.
The Gods – either the gods themselves or prophets or
oracles acting as mouthpieces for the gods. The gods
prevent the tragic hero from reaching his goal or they
attempt to tell the tragic hero for what he should be on the
lookout.
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Deus ex machina – literally, “god out of the machine,” refers to
a plot device used by ancient playwrights in which gods
interfere in the storyline, often in creating a resolution for the
play.
Minor Characters – act as supports for or obstacles to the
tragic hero.
WHO IS THE TRAGIC HERO?
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Usually of noble birth, sometimes royalty, and always
a leader of men, the tragic hero is a man who
encounters a series of unfortunate events. The
audience usually feels pity for him.
Hamartia, or tragic flaw, such as hubris, or pride,
leads to the eventual downfall of the tragic hero. It is
not the tragic hero’s fault that he has this flaw, but he
is responsible for his actions that lead to his downfall.
The tragic downfall is not senseless; it must have
meaning!
After his tragic downfall, the tragic hero encounters
peripetia, or a reversal of fortune.
As a result of his downfall, the tragic hero has
increased self-awareness and knowledge of life and
reality.
THE CHORUS (12 – 15 MEN)
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Sang three primary types of songs:
Parados – entrance song
 Odes – songs throughout
 Exodos – exit song
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Choral songs divided into three sections:
Strophe
 Antistrophe
 Epode
**What else has strophes, antistrophes, and epodes?**
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Choral songs reaffirm what had happened in the play
and point out deeper questions about the plot and
themes of the play to the audience.
The chorus often engaged in dialogue with the tragic
hero of the play.
PERFORMANCE OF GREEK TRAGEDY
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Set in an outdoor auditorium or
amphitheater, and, because of the
lack of artificial light, set mostly in
the daytime. If scenes were at
night, which was rare, the
protagonist or chorus would give
clues to the audience members, who
would have to use their
imaginations.
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Advantages to outdoor setting:
action of tragedy almost always took
place outside; and Greek citizens
were used to events being held
outside, such as political, religious,
and civil forums.
Stage was circular, with audience
seating going up a sloping hill. A
tent, or skene, would be located
towards the rear of the stage for the
actors to change costume, and on
the other side would be a crane for
the more “realistic” entrance of the
gods (deus ex machina).
SOPHOCLES
The Story of a Playwright
WHO WAS SOPHOCLES?
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Born around 495 B.C. just north of Athens, Greece to
a wealthy merchant father.
Educated in all of the arts, and known to be
successful in his academic endeavors as a teenager.
Entered a number of playwriting competitions, which
were fashionable in his lifetime. He won first place in
the first competition he entered, besting well known
playwright Aeschylus. He won eighteen other first
place prizes, and never took less than second place in
the other 150 competitions he entered.
Fulfilled many occupations aside from playwright: he
acted in many of his own plays, he was an ordained
priest, served on the Board of Generals, and for a
time was the director of the Treasury of Athens.
The Oedipus Cycle, in particular, Oedipus Rex, is
considered his best work.
THE OEDIPUS CYCLE
Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone
OEDIPUS REX, OR LITERALLY, “OEDIPUS
THE KING”
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Setting
Thebes, ancient Greece, in a polytheistic society. States are
ruled by kings and queens.
Dramatis Personae
King Laius – Oedipus’ biological father
Queen Jocasta – Oedipus’ biological mother…and
something else!
Oedipus – protagonist, tragic hero
King Polybus of Corinth – Oedipus’ adopted father
Queen Merope of Corinth – Oedipus’ adopted mother
Oracle at Delphi – messenger of the gods
The Sphinx – torturing Thebans, riddles passersby
Creon – Oedipus’ brother-in-law
Tiresias – blind prophet
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Plot summary: King Laius and Queen Jocasta hear a prophecy that says Laius
will be killed by his son. When Jocasta bears a son, they abandon him in the
woods. This child is brought by a shepherd to Corinth, where he is reared as
Oedipus by King Polybus and Queen Merope. When Oedipus gets older, he hears
a rumor that he is not the biological child of Polybus and Merope. He goes to the
Delphic Oracle who does not answer his question, but tells him he will kill his
father and mate with his mother. In order to protect Polybus and Merope,
Oedipus leaves Corinth. On the road to Thebes, Oedipus encounters a man and
his guards who attempt to run him off the road; he fights to stay alive and
eventually kills this man. When he gets close to Thebes, he encounters the
Sphinx, who, along with tormenting the city of Thebes, kills passerby who cannot
answer its riddle. Oedipus correctly answers the riddle and, as a reward, is given
the Queen Dowager to marry. This Queen happens to be Jocasta, a fact Oedipus
is still unaware of, and thus the prophecy is fulfilled. Now King of Thebes,
Oedipus seeks out Creon, Jocasta’s brother, to determine what the cause of the
plague is that is upon Thebes; Creon says that it is caused by the fact that King
Laius’ murderer has never been caught. Oedipus, still unaware that Laius was
his father and he is married to(and having children with!) his mother, seeks the
help of the blind prophet Tiresias in finding the murderer who has brought this
plague upon Thebes. Tiresias is at first silent, but Oedipus forces him to speak;
he tells Oedipus the truth, which Oedipus only takes as a bid by Creon to kill
him and take over the throne. Oedipus, prepared to execute Creon, listens to
Jocasta who says to take no note of prophets and oracles because one important
one about her and Laius did not come true. She then describes how Laius was
killed: by bandits at a crossroads. When a messenger arrives to tell Oedipus
about Polybus’ death, Oedipus finds himself relieved because he believes he
cannot fulfill half of the prophecy. He mentions this to the messenger, who tells
him that Merope is not, in fact his mother. Oedipus, now curious, threatens the
messenger to tell him everything, and the facts of his birth, life, and now
marriage and sexual relationship with his mother, is revealed. When Jocasta
finds out, she runs into the palace and hangs herself. Oedipus wishes to kill
himself, but instead gouges his eyes out with pins from Jocasta’s dress. Oedipus
is to be exiled, while his daughters (and half-sisters) Antigone and Ismene will
be watched over by Creon.
OEDIPUS AT COLONUS
Setting
 Colonus, just northwest of Athens, said to be
Sophocles’ actual birthplace.
Dramatis Personae
 Oedipus – protagonist, tragic hero
 Antigone – Oedipus’ daughter
 Ismene – Oedipus’ daughter
 Polyneices – Oedipus’ eldest son
 Eteocles – Oedipus’ son
 Theseus – King of Athens
 Creon – Oedipus’ brother-in-law
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Plot summary: Oedipus has been exiled from Thebes, and finds himself brought to
Colonus, just north of Athens, by Antigone. He finds himself on the sacred land of the
Furies, which he believes will be his burial ground (when he was told by Apollo that he
would kill his father and marrying his mother, he was also told his burial place would be of
great sanctity and he would bring it honor and strength). Upon arriving in Colonus, the
chorus of the city is horrified to learn who he is, and, though they promise not to hurt him,
request that he leave in order not to pollute their land and fate. Oedipus asks to see their
king, Theseus. While awaiting the arrival of Theseus, Ismene returns, overjoyed to see
Oedipus and her sister. She brings news that Eteocles has seized the throne of Thebes
from his older brother Polyneices, who is now trying to gain support to win back his seat of
power. Both Eteocles and Polyneices have heard from an oracle that who wins the throne
depends on their father’s burial place; in order to prevent anyone from receive the
prophesied power of Oedipus’ burial, Creon intends to come for him and bury him without
proper burial rites at the border of Thebes. Condemning his sons’ lack of loyalty when
compared to his daughters, Oedipus begs the Elders of Colonus (the Chorus) for protection
from Creon. While Ismene leaves to offer sacrifices for the holy ground Oedipus has
trespassed upon earlier, Theseus arrives, offering Oedipus unconditional support.
Theseus offers Oedipus his own burial spot, hoping to guarantee victory in any future
battle with Thebes. Theseus leaves, and Creon arrives, feigning concern for Oedipus and
his family. Oedipus is not fooled, and Creon erupts, telling him he has already captured
Ismene and forcibly takes Antigone in the hopes that Oedipus will follow. Theseus returns,
is infuriated by the Thebans lack of justice, and has his forces overpower the Thebans and
return both girls to Oedipus. Polyneices is banished from Thebes by Eteocles, and tells
Oedipus he is to blame for their fate and aid him in attacking his younger brother.
Oedipus refuses and warns Polyneices that he and Eteocles will kill each other. Polyneices
does not listen to the warning, and leaves. Shortly after Polyneices leaves, Oedipus hears
an oncoming thunderstorm, a sign from Zeus that it is his time to die. Only Theseus knows
of Oedipus’ burial place, and he may not share that information with Ismene or Antigone,
for whom he now must take care. Antigone, in the hopes of preventing the battle between
her brothers (also called “The Seven Against Thebes”) returns to Thebes.
ANTIGONE
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Setting
Thebes, ancient Greece, after the battle that killed
both Eteocles and Polyneices in their fight for the
throne.
Dramatis Personae
Antigone – protagonist, Oedipus’ daughter
Ismene – Antigone’s sister
King Creon – Antigone’s uncle
Queen Eurydice – Creon’s wife
Haemon – Creon’s son
Polyneices – Antigone’s dead brother
Eteocles – Antigone’s dead brother
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Basic plot summary: Antigone tells the story of
Antigone’s struggle to provide a proper burial for her
brother Polyneices after he and Eteocles killed each
other in a battle for the throne. Creon, now King, has
provided a proper burial for Eteocles, but refuses to
allow Antigone to give Polyneices that burial rites
required by the Greek gods.
NOW THAT YOU’VE RECEIVED SOME
BACKGROUND INFORMATION…
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Make a family tree for Oedipus’ whole family!
Include the in-laws and his adopted parents.