Transcript Greek Drama

Greek Drama
Greek Drama
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Dynamic relationship
between individual,
community, and the
gods.
First masters of
drama
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Tells story of imitation
of actions.
Roots of Greek Drama
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Rituals worshipping
Dionysus
Religious rites
between:
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2 choruses
Leader and chorus
Actors took over
audiences role as
chorus.
Greek Theatres
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Open air
13,000 – 27,000 people
Proscenium
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Stage
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Dancing space
Orchestra
Skene
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Alter
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Dressing room
Dedicated to Dyonysus
Male actors wore masks
Greek Theater
Chorus
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Actors play roles
Chorus makes
commentary
Sophocles
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Public citizen of
Athens
123 dramas
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7 survive
Developed plot
through action of
characters
Sophocles’ Oedipus trilogy
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Oedipus the King
Oedipus at Colonus
Antigone
Oedipus the King
Sophocles Antigone
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Third in group of plays
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Odipus the King & Oedipus at Colonus
Produced shortly before 441 BC
Last phase of history of Thebes
Antigone Plot
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Oedipus is dead
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Creon forbid burial of Polynices
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His sons Polynices and Eteocles fight for throne
They both die.
Brother-in-Law Creon becomes king
Claims Eteocles was rightful ruler
Antingone, Oedipus daughter & lover of Haemon –
Creon’s son, wants to bury both brothers
Creon punishes Antigone after she defies the king, she
kills herself, as does her lover. Finally, the Queen also
kills herself, leaving stubborn Creon all alone.
Major Themes of Antigone
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Conflicts:
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Rights of the individual vs. Laws of the State
Dedication to family vs. loyalty to community
Personal vs. political obligations
Female willpower and male authority
Human vs. divine law
Antigone