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Major Works Data Sheet Name__________________________ Date:____________ The numbers in parentheses represent the point values for each requirement. AP Literature Biographical information about the author: Title: Antigone Author: Sophocles Date of Publication: circa 440 B.C. Genre: Tragic Drama Historical information about the period of publication: Considered one of the 3 greatest playwrights of classical Greek theater, Sophocles was a respected citizen who held political and military offices in 5th century BC Athens. Wrote more than 100 plays. Best known for his 3 Theban plays. Credited with changing Greek drama by adding a 3 rd actor, reducing the role of the chorus and paying greater attention to character development Classical period. Greek authors drew material from a cycle of 4 epic poems, the Theban Cycle, which was very familiar to audiences Sophocles used this common story but made Oedipus a contemporary character to represent many of the ideals of Athenian leadership. Antigone was performed sometime around the year 441 B.C.E., just before Athens fought a campaign against the revolt of Samos. Sophocles was selected to be one of nine generals in that campaign. These historical events are relevant because some of the play’s central issues are the appropriate use of power by the state, the possibility of justifiable rebellion, and the duties of citizens to obey the laws of their government. A long-held tradition suggests that the popularity of Antigone lead directly to Sophocles’s election as a general. Characteristics of the genre: Tragedy Tragic Hero Tragic Flaw (Hubris) Prologue, Parados, Episode, Stasimon, Exodus Plot summary: Antigone's Twisted Family Tree:A brave and proud young woman named Antigone is the product of a really messed up family.Her father, Oedipus, was the King of Thebes. He unknowingly murdered his father and married his own mother, Queen Jocasta. With his wife/mother, Oedipus had two daughter/sisters and two brother/sons.When Jocasta found out the truth of their incestuous relationship, she killed herself. Oedipus was pretty upset too. He plucked out his eyeballs. Then, he spent his remaining years wandering through Greece, being led by his loyal daughter Antigone.After Oedipus died, his two sons (Eteocles and Polynices) battled for control of the kingdom. Eteocles fought to defend Thebes. Polynices and his men attacked the city. Both brothers died. Creon ( Antigone's uncle) became the official ruler of Thebes. (There's a lot of upward mobility in this city-state. That's what happens when your bosses kill each other.)Divine Laws Vs. Man-made Laws:Creon buried Eteocles's body with honor. But because the other brother was perceived as a traitor, Polynices's body was left to rot, a tasty snack for vultures and vermin. However, leaving human remains unburied and exposed to the elements was an affront to the Greek Gods. So, at the play's beginning, Antigone decides to defy Creon's laws. She gives her brother a proper funeral.Her sister Ismene warns that Creon will punish any who defy the law of the city. Antigone believes that the law of the gods supersedes a king's decree. Creon doesn't see things that way. He is very angry and sentences Antigone to death.Ismene asks to be executed along with her sister. But Antigone doesn't want her by her side. She insists that she alone buried the brother, so she alone will receive punishment (and possible reward from the gods).Creon Needs To Loosen Up:As if things weren't complicated enough, Antigone has a boyfriend: Haemon, the son of Creon. He tries to convince his father that mercy and patience are called for. But the more they debate, the more Creon's anger grows. Haemon leaves, threatening to do something rash.At this point, the people of Thebes, represented by the Chorus, are uncertain as to who is right or wrong. It seems Creon is starting to feel a little bit worried because instead of executing Antigone, he orders her to be sealed inside a cave. (That way, if she dies, her death will be in the hands of the gods).But after she is sent to her doom, a blind old wise man enters. He is Tiresias, a seer of the future, and he brings an important message: "Creon, you made a big stupid mistake!" (It sounds fancier in Greek.)Suspecting the old man of treason, Creon becomes infuriated and refuses Tiresias' wisdom. The old man becomes very cranky and predicts bad things for Creon's near future.Creon Changes His Mind (Too Late):Finally scared, Creon rethinks his decisions. He dashes off to release Antigone. But he's too late. Antigone has already hanged herself. Haemon grieves beside her body. He attacks his father with a sword, misses completely, and then stabs himself, dying.Mrs. Creon (Eurydice) hears of her son's death and kills herself. (I hope you weren't expecting a comedy.)By the time Creon returns to Thebes, the Chrous tells Creon the bad news. They explain that "There is no escape from the doom we must endure." Creon realizes that his stubbornness has led to his family's ruin. The Chorus ends the play by offering a final message:"The mighty words of the proud are paid in full with mighty blows of fate." . (www.plays.about.com) Major Works Data Sheet Describe the author’s style: (2.5) Page 2 Identify an example passage that demonstrates the style. Explain the example if necessary. (Please include a page number): (2.5) Significant Quotes (5) (Choose at least five and include page numbers. Quotes should demonstrate the range of the entire work.) Quote Significance “I will suffer nothing as great as death without glory.” (Antigone, lines 112113) 1. “Whoever thinks that he alone possesses intelligence, the gift of eloquence, he and no one else, and character too..such men, I tell you, spread them open – you will find them empty.” (Haemon, 791-794) 2. “I have longer to please the dead than please the living here: in the kingdom down below I’ll lie forever.” (Antigone, 88-90) 3. “Take me away, quickly, out of sight. I don’t even exist – I’m no one. Nothing.” (Creon, 21445-1446) 4. “The mighty words of the proud are paid in full with mighty blows of fate, and at long last those blows will teach us wisdom.” (Chorus, 1468-1470) 5. Major Works Data Sheet Page 3 Significant Characters (5) Name Role in the story Antigone Daughter (and ½ sister) of Oedipus; buries her brother Polynices, defying law of King Ismene Daughter (and ½ sister )of Oedipus, sister to Antigone Creon King of Thebes Chorus Citizens of Thebes Tieresias Blind prophet; warns Creon of the consequences of his pride Eurydice Creon’s wife Eteocles Son (and ½ brother) to Oedipus; died in battle defending Thebes after refusing to relinquish the throne to his brother Polyneices Son (and ½ brother) to Oedipus; died in battle, fighting against Thebesconsidered a traitor and denied burial by King Significance Adjectives Major Works Data Sheet Page 4 Setting and significance (Please list and describe three Significance of the opening scene (2) examples; include page numbers) Unity of time and place Prologue: Place: Thebes Parados: Time: One day Significance of the ending/closing scene (3) Exodus: Significant Literary Devices (such as symbol, foreshadowing, imagery, irony, etc.) that contribute to the themes of the work (List and explain 5; include page numbers) (5) Themes (List five universal topics that the work conveys.) (5) Blindness vs. Sight Natural Law Citizenship vs. Family Loyalty Fate vs. Fee Will