Background
Information
on the
Oedipus Cycle
Three plays by Sophocles
Festival of
Dionysus*
• Each year, playwrights
were chosen to produce
three tragedies and one
comedy for a theatrical
competition at the
festival.
*the god of wine and fertility
Ancient Greek
Drama
• Plays were
performed
during the day
in outdoor
theaters built
into hillsides
(amphitheaters)
The Cycle
Play # 1 = Oedipus Rex
(Oedipus the King)
Play # 2 = Oedipus at Colonus
Play # 3 = Antigone
(441 B.C.)
Ancient Greek
Actors
Men wore elegant robes with
huge masks and elevated
shoes to seem larger than life.
Masks had exaggerated
mouthpieces that amplified
their voices and expressed
emotion visually.
Sophocles used three actors
per play. They changed
masks to change roles.
The Chorus
The chorus was a group of 15 men who spoke
between scenes to comment on the action.
They sometimes participated in the dialogue as
well.
The chorus was meant to represent the
audiences perspective and response.
Greek Tragedy
A tragedy is a play about
the downfall of a
dignified, superior
character who is
involved in historically
or socially significant
events.
Tragic Heroes
• Tragic hero: character that is
involved in conflict that
builds from one event to the
next until a catastrophe
results.
*Fate and a tragic flaw also
play key roles in the
destruction of the hero’s life.
Tragic Flaw
• Tragic flaw is usually a
positive trait that turns
negative that brings about,
or contributes to, the tragic
hero’s downfall.
• Examples: pride (hubris),
honesty, honor,
confidence, or generosity.
Oedipus Rex
Watch the summary of Oedipus Rex to
learn about this family that
repeatedly faces tragic conflict.
Conflicts and
Concepts
• The play Antigone deals
with divided loyalties
and difficult choices:
faith, family, or
kingdom?
Ideas to Develop into Themes in
Antigone
Antigone’s conflict deals with differences
among the following principles:
• Loyalty / obligations to family
• Obedience to civil law
• Observance of religious law
• Protection of personal dignity
• Freedom
• Protection of community or nation
Civil Disobedience:
Rebellion with Purpose & Consequence
Civil Disobedience: Choosing to disobey the law
as a matter of conscience,
and accepting the consequences.
• Rosa Parks:
refusing to relinquish her bus seat = arrested
• Conscientious objectors:
refusing to fight = jail
• Henry David Thoreau:
refusing to pay taxes so that his money won’t support
programs he disagrees with = jail/fines
Characters
Antigone (daughter of Oedipus & Jocasta)
Ismene (Antigone’s sensible sister)
Creon (Jocasta’s brother, Antigone’s Uncle)
Haemon (Creon’s son & Antigone’s fiancé)
Euridice (Creon’s wife)
Teiresias (a blind prophet)
Chorus (commentary/summaries in poetry)
Choragus (leader of the chorus)
A Sentry
A Messenger