ANTIGONE WEBQUEST

ANTIGONE WEBQUEST An Introduction to Greek Tragedy

Welcome to the Antigone WebQuest! • Before beginning your exploration into the world of Antigone, you must first become acquainted with Sophocles and The Greek Theater. • The following pages will provide you with the information you need.

Meet Sophocles(496-406 B.C.) • Born and raised in Athens • Regarded as one of the world’s greatest playwrights. • Frequently won 1st place at the Dionysian festivals (which were competitions between playwrights). • Wrote over 100 plays, but on 7 have survivied • Among the 7 plays are: Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone

The Greek Theater Theater was a celebration in ancient Greece that was held in honor of Dionysus (the god of wine). During these celebrations, Athenians gathered to watch competitions between playwrights. It was these competitions that Sophocles often won. The plays performed at these festivals usually exposed arrogance which emphasized reverence for the gods and included tragic events. Although violence and disrespect were central to the plot of most tragic plays, violence was never depicted on stage. Instead, these events occurred off stage.

Tragedy • Tragedy is a work of literature that results in a catastrophe for the main character. • In Greek drama, the main character (Tragic Hero) was always a significant person, a king or a hero, and the cause of the tragedy was a tragic flaw, or weakness in his or her character.

Typical Structure of a Tragedy • Ancient Greek playwrights used a consistent format for most of their productions. • A Chorus is used to divide the scenes (similar to how a curtain does in present day performances) through a song that comments on the action of the previous scene. • The Choragos is the leader of the chorus, and serves as another character in the play.

Typical Structure of a Tragedy (continued) • Prologue – exposition which provide background to the conflict • Parados or parode – Opening song or ode • Strophê – the chorus sings a stanza while moving from right to left while singing • Antistrophê - the chorus sings a stanza while moving from left to right while singing • Epode – included in some odes as a final stanza • Paean – a thanksgiving to Dionysus • Exodos – final exiting scene

The Greek Theater

The Greek Theater Audience seating “Dancing Place” where chorus sang to the audience Where most of the action took place; also served as a backdrop Proskenion Thymele Eto the theater used by the Chorus Altar to Dionysus in center of orchestra where sacrifices were made Building used as a dressing room.

Now that you are familiar with Greek Tragedy, you are ready to begin your task… Your Task: • You are a detective assigned to investigate the death of Antigone. • Before you can understand her death, you must first become aware of the circumstances surrounding her life. • You will obtain background information about Anigone’s family life, and the society in which she lived, by following the trail of clues linked to her death.

Family Life – Antigone’s Dad • Antigone, is part of a trilogy about the royal family of Thebes. The trilogy includes; Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus and Antigone • Follow the two links below to learn more about Antigone’s father, Oedipus: • Oedipus’ Early Life • Oedipus’ Exile

A Tragedy between Brothers • As if the tragedy surrounding her father’s life and exile was not horrific enough, Antigone must now face the death of her brothers. Eteocles and Polyneices

Greek Society • Religion • Government • Funeral Rites • Role of Women – click on the “Daily Life” tab and then click on “Women’s Life” • Hubris – Find the definition

The following information can be used to fill out your STUDY GUIDE… • Title: Antigone • Author: Sophocles • Publication Date: 442 B.C • Setting: The city of Thebes – Ancient Greece • Genre: Drama

Vocabulary • Hubris: arrogance or overweening pride which causes the hero’s transgression against the gods. • Parados: the first ode in a Greek tragedy, chanted by the chorus as it enters the orchestra • Tragic Hero: a high-born character whose downfall is brought about by a weakness or error in judgment • Choragus: leader of the chorus • Tragedy: an imitation of a serious action which will arouse pity and fear in the viewer • Catharsis: purgation of emotions of pity and fear which leaves the viewer both relieved and elated. • Peripeteia: reversal of fortune • Strophe: chanted as the chorus moves from right to left across the stage • Anagnorisis: recognition or discovery on the part of the hero; change from ignorance to knowledge • Antistrophe: chanted as the chorus moves back across the stage from left to right. • Nemesis: fate that cannot be escaped • Hamartia: a tragic flaw, weakness of character or error in judgment which causes the downfall of the hero

Congratulations! • You have just completed the Antigone WebQuest. • You are now ready to begin your reading of the play.

ANTIGONE WEBQUEST