Download Antigone

Influences of Athenian Society on
Greek Theatre
Review: Athenian Audience
● The audience of Greek plays were usually exclusively
males
● Roles of characters were all played by male actors
● In Antigone we see how the most respected people in
the Athenian society were Male elders
● Women were usually forbidden to be among the
audience members
Presentation of Gods & Oracles
Oracles of Delphi- The most important shrine in all Greece
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Respected by all Greeks - Was the center of the World
People come from all over the Greece to have their questions about their future
answered by the priestess of Apollo
Teiresias was the prophet of Apollo in Antigone
○ Warned Creon that god is displeased and he will be punished
Gods took parts in plays during Ancient Greek Theatre
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Were the motivation for creating Greek Plays
Greek Gods usually resolved the play’s chaos
“For my part, God is my witness, who sees all, always” (202-203)
Religious Beliefs
Religious beliefs (especially regarding Olympian Gods),
growing cynicism of Sophocles’ time – reflected in play?
Influences attitudes towards the gods evident in play?
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Accepted Greek mythology
○ collection of myths, legends, and teachings of Ancient Greeks
○ focuses on origins, nature of the world, and ritual practices
Greek Mythology believes in Olympian Gods controlling the natural world and the fate of humans
Theban citizens Wanted to please the Gods in return for good fortune
Shift to belief in a single, supreme god rather than a deity of gods
○ Sophocles was a priest to Asclepius - The Greek God of Medicine
○ Sophocles still believed in the deity of Gods
Religious Belief in Antigone
References numerous Gods throughout his play Antigone to project his
approval of traditional Greek beliefs
Chorus: “Let us go to all the shrines of the gods and dance all night”
(167-168)
Creon: “For God’s sake, tell me and get out of here!” (267)
All Gods were respected in the play; Divine Power valued over Morta
Creon concedes to Teiresias’ proclamation by the Gods
“Creon: Oh, it is hard; I must give up what my heart would have me
do. But it is ill to fight against what must be.” (1170-1172)
Importance of Debate in Athenian Public Life
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Agora - central spot in ancient Greece which translates to gathering place
or assembly.
○ Center of athletic, artistic, spiritual, and political life of the city.
Pnyx - Hill in central Athens, where Athenians would gather and host
popular assemblies
○ One of the earliest places where democracy was created
Chorus: “And now when the city, with all its folk,
is gripped by a violent plague,
comes with healing foot, over the slopes of Parnassus”
(1205-1207)
Haemon: “the city mourns for this girl; they think she is dying
most wrongly and most undeservedly.” (744-745)
Importance of Debate in Athenian Public Life
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Law courts - Athen’s judicial system. Juries of people would decide who
was guilty and what their punishment should be.
○ Held many reforms to truly uphold the value of justice
Episode - interaction between characters’ dialogue and the chorus
○ Debate between chorus and Creon about what should be done
Creon: “Death-it is death that will stop the marriage…
Chorus: Your decision it seems is taken: she shall die.
Creon: “Both you and I have decided it. No more delay.”
(630-633)
Context of Religious Festival
Athletic Games and competitions in music and theatre (both tragedy and comedy) were held during
festivals in cities such as the City Dionysia of Athens
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Religious festivals acted as a way to honour specific gods
○ The first Greek drama was in honour of the Greek god Dionysus, the Greek god of wine,
fertility and revelry.
○ There were four major celebrations, with three revolved around theatre/drama
performances in honour of Dionysus and based in the City of Dionysia, the Lenaia, and
Rural Dionysia
Chorus : “Now victory, whose name is great, has come
to Thebes of many chariots
with joy to answer her joy,
to bring forgetfulness of these wars; let us go to all the shrines of the gods
and dance all night long.” (163-168)
Ancient Greek Concepts
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Hubris - extreme pride or self-confidence. If a person offends the gods of
Greece by their hubris, they usually are punished.
○ Creon doesn’t let Antigone bury her brother
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Catharsis - emotional outpour of a character. When a character realizes
their flaw or downfall, they often deliver a cathartic speech.
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Hamartia - a character’s fatal flaw that leads to the downfall of a tragic
hero/heroine
○ Hubris is Creon’s hamartia as he is so prideful and refuses to listen to
anyone. He cannot acknowledge that he is wrong.
Examples of Hamartia and Hubris
CREON: My enemy is still my
enemy, even in death
CREON:
ANTIGONE: My nature is to join in
love, not hate
Are there no swords here? Has no
one a blow for me?
CREON: Go then to the world
below, yourself, if you must love.
Love them. When i am alive no
woman shall rule.
MESSENGER:
No woman shall be the master
while I live. (574-577)
O God, I am sick with fear.
Her curse is upon you for the
deaths of both.
CREON:
It is right that it should be. I alone
am guilty.
I know it, and I say it. Lead me in
(1238-1242)
Who Wants to Be A
Millionaire?
Host: Sophocles
$100,000
How does Athenian Society’s perception of the Delphi
Oracle relate to its importance within Sophocles's play
Antigone?
A.
Thebans act like Athenians, so they respect
the Oracle, hearken unto its prophecies.
Also, prophet Teiresias’ warning altered
Antigone’s Plot.
Thebans act like Athenians, so they prefer to
take its word as opinion rather than order. The
Oracle mainly adds to the play’s debate elements.
C.
B. Thebans are not like Athenians and disregard
the Oracle’s prophecies. The Oracle shows
society’s transition away from religion.
D. Thebans act like Athenians and shun the
Oracle’s prophecies. The Oracle shows society’s
transition away from religion.
$100,000
How does Athenian Society’s perception of the Delphi
Oracle relate to its importance within Sophocles's play
Antigone?
A.
Thebans act like Athenians, so they respect
the Oracle, hearken unto its prophecies.
Also, prophet Teiresias’ warning altered
Antigone’s Plot.
“For my part, God is my witness, who sees all,
always” (202-203)
“Creon: Oh, it is hard; I must give up what my heart
would have me do. But it is ill to fight against what
must be.” (1170-1172)
$200,000
How did the festival of Dionysia impact Greek Theatre?
A.
Helped create a setting for playwrights to
collaborate.
B. Only festival to allow women to attend a play
performance.
C. Invented the playwright and celebrated
D. Invented the playwright, increased theatre’s
theatre as the main focus of the Dionysia Festival.
popularity, and made Greek plays a celebration of
Greek Gods and Goddesses.
$200,000
How did the festival of Dionysia impact Greek Theatre?
Chorus : “Now victory, whose name is great, has come
to Thebes of many chariots
with joy to answer her joy,
to bring forgetfulness of these wars; let us go to all the
shrines of the gods
and dance all night long.” (163-168)
D. Invented the playwright, increased theatre’s
popularity, and made Greek plays a celebration of
Greek Gods and Goddesses.
$400,000
How does the growing cynicism towards traditional Greek
Mythology impact Sophocles's selection of details within
Antigone?
A.
B. Sophocles insults the cynicism towards
C.
D. Sophocles supported the growing cynicism
Sophocles supported the growing cynicism
towards traditional Greek Mythology by
constantly referring to Zeus as a
representative of the Gods.
Sophocles denounces the cynicism towards
Greek mythology by constant referral to Zeus.
traditional Greek mythology by supporting Greek
customs and applying a negative connotation to the
concept of one supreme being within Antigone.
towards traditional Greek mythology by
portraying dominate opposition to the Gods.
$400,000
How does the growing cynicism towards traditional Greek
Mythology impact Sophocles's selection of details within
Antigone?
Chorus: “Let us go to all the shrines of the gods and
dance all night” (167-168)
Creon: “For God’s sake, tell me and get out of here!”
(267)
B. Sophocles insults the cynicism towards
traditional Greek mythology by supporting Greek
customs and applying a negative connotation to the
concept of one supreme being within Antigone.
$600,000
How do hubris, hamartia, and Catharsis correlate with
certain characters in Antigone? Which characters represent
these aspects most clearly?
A. Antigone’s hamartia was her loyalty to Creon. B. Creon’s hubris was hamartia, and he
Creon realized he had too much hubris and both
Antigone and Creon gave a cathartic speech.
delivered a cathartic speech after realizing his
tragic flaw.
C. Creon’s hamartia was his reliance on
D. Antigone’s hubris was her hamartia.
democracy. After Antigone realized she had too
much hubris, she delivered a cathartic speech.
Catharsis was not relevant in this drama.
strawpoll.me/5396116
How do hubris, hamartia, and Catharsis correlate with
certain characters in Antigone? Which characters represent
these aspects most clearly?
A. Antigone’s hamartia was her loyalty to Creon. B. Creon’s hubris was hamartia, and he
Creon realized he had too much hubris and both
Antigone and Creon gave a cathartic speech.
delivered a cathartic speech after realizing his
tragic flaw.
C. Creon’s hamartia was his reliance on
D. Antigone’s hubris was her hamartia.
democracy. After Antigone realized she had too
much hubris, she delivered a cathartic speech.
Catharsis was not relevant in this drama.
$600,000
How do hubris, hamartia, and Catharsis correlate with
certain characters in Antigone? Which characters represent
these aspects most clearly?
CREON: O God, I am sick with fear.
Are there no swords here? Has no one a blow for
me?
MESSENGER: Her curse is upon you for the
deaths of both.
CREON: It is right that it should be. I alone am
guilty.
I know it, and I say it. Lead me in (1238-1242)
B. Creon’s hubris was hamartia, and he
delivered a cathartic speech after realizing his
tragic flaw
$800,000
How does Athenian Society’s preference for masculinity
impact the development of Antigone’s plot?
A.
Reflected in Creon’s harsher treatment and
sexist view of Antigone.
B. Reflected in Teiresias’ prophecy against
Creon’s actions.
C. Reflected in Antigone’s defiance to Creon’s
D. Reflected in Creon’s remorse for losing both
law in order to justly bury her brother.
of his sons to death.
$800,000
How does Athenian Society’s preference for masculinity
impact the development of Antigone’s plot?
A.
Reflected in Creon’s harsher treatment and
sexist view of Antigone.
Creon: “Your nature is vile, in yielding
to a woman.” (804)
Creon: ...“When i am alive no woman
shall rule.” (576)
$1,000,000
How do some characters within Antigone articulate the
Athenian debate elements of Agora, Pnyx, and Judicial
courts. What would the play be like without these Athenian
elements of debate?
A.
Some characters attract attention to
controversial topics in which determine
justice within Antigone. Without these
characters, Antigone would never be able
to have an interactive chorus.
All the characters within Antigone use debate
elements to help articulate a better point of view of
each character through their arguments. Without it
the story would lose characterization.
C.
B. Some characters emulate debate elements
mostly to make the play relatable to Athenians.
Without it Antigone would not be able make
Athenians relate to the plot.
Some characters within Antigone showed the
debate elements to make the play more pleasing
towards law officials. Without it Sophocles would lost
part of his audience because he would not be able to
relate to them.
D.
strawpoll.me/5396129
How do some characters within Antigone articulate the
Athenian debate elements of Agora, Pnyx, and Judicial
courts. What would the play be like without these Athenian
elements of debate?
A.
Some characters attract attention to
controversial topics in which determine
justice within Antigone. Without these
characters, Antigone would never be able
to have an interactive chorus.
All the characters within Antigone use debate
elements to help articulate a better point of view of
each character through their arguments. Without it
the story would lose characterization.
C.
B. Some characters emulate debate elements
mostly to make the play relatable to Athenians.
Without it Antigone would not be able make
Athenians relate to the plot.
Some characters within Antigone showed the
debate elements to make the play more pleasing
towards law officials. Without it Sophocles would lost
part of his audience because he would not be able to
relate to them.
D.
$1,000,000
How do some characters within Antigone articulate the
Athenian debate elements of Agora, Pnyx, and Judicial
courts. What would the play be like without these Athenian
elements of debate?
A.
Some characters attract attention to
controversial topics in which determine
justice within Antigone. Without these
characters, Antigone would never be able
to have an interactive chorus.
Chorus: “And now when the city, with all its folk,
is gripped by a violent plague,
comes with healing foot, over the slopes of
Parnassus” (1205-1207)
Haemon: “the city mourns for this girl; they think she
is dying
most wrongly and most undeservedly.” (744-745)
Works Cited
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"Sophocles." Ancient History Encyclopedia. Mark Cartwright, 29 Sept. 2013. Web. 01
Sept. 2015.
"A Glimpse at Some Ancient Greek Ideas." Province of the Mind. Dara, n.d. Web. 01
Sept. 2015.
"Antigone - Analysis of Greek Ideals." Novelguide. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Sept. 2015.
"Thomas R. Martin, An Overview of Classical Greek History from Mycenae to
Alexander." Thomas R. Martin, An Overview of Classical Greek History from
Mycenae to Alexander, Athenian Religious and Cultural Life in the Golden Age, The
Development of Athenian Tragedy. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Sept. 2015.
"Ancient Greek Home." Ancient Athens. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Sept. 2015.
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"King Creon vs. Antigone." AngelFire. Elizabeth Adams, n.d. Web. 01 Sept. 2015.
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