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Home , Dionysia, Hamartia, Lenaia, Sophocles

Influences of Athenian Society on Review: Athenian

● The audience of Greek plays were usually exclusively males ● Roles of characters were all played by male ● In 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 - The most important shrine in all ● 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 ● Teiresias was the prophet of Apollo in Antigone ○ Warned that god is displeased and he be punished Gods took parts in plays during Theatre ● Were the motivation for creating Greek Plays ● Greek Gods usually resolved the ’s ● “For my part, God is my witness, who sees all, always” (202-203) Religious Beliefs

Religious beliefs (especially regarding Olympian Gods), growing cynicism of ’ time – reflected in play? Influences attitudes towards the gods evident in play? ● Accepted ○ collection of , , 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 - 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

● - central spot in which translates to gathering place or assembly. ○ Center of athletic, artistic, spiritual, and political life of the city. ● Pnyx - Hill in central , 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

● 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 and ) were held during festivals in cities such as the City of Athens ● Religious festivals acted as a way to honour specific gods ○ The first Greek was in honour of the Greek god , 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 , 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

● - extreme 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

● - emotional outpour of a . When a character realizes their flaw or downfall, they often deliver a cathartic speech.

● - a character’s fatal flaw that leads to the downfall of a /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 CREON: enemy, even in death O God, I am sick with fear. ANTIGONE: My nature is to join in Are there no swords here? Has no love, not hate one a blow for me? CREON: Go then to the world MESSENGER: below, yourself, if you must love. Her curse is upon you for the Love them. When i am alive no deaths of both. woman shall rule. CREON: No woman shall be the master while I live. (574-577) 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 like Athenians, so they respect B. Thebans are not like Athenians and disregard the Oracle, hearken unto its prophecies. the Oracle’s prophecies. The Oracle shows Also, prophet Teiresias’ warning altered society’s transition away from religion. Antigone’s . C. Thebans act like Athenians, so they prefer to D. Thebans act like Athenians and shun the take its word as opinion rather than order. The Oracle’s prophecies. The Oracle shows society’s Oracle mainly adds to the play’s debate elements. 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?

“For my part, God is my witness, who sees all, A. Thebans act like Athenians, so they respect always” (202-203) the Oracle, hearken unto its prophecies. “Creon: Oh, it is hard; I must give up what my heart Also, prophet Teiresias’ warning altered would have me do. But it is ill to fight against what Antigone’s Plot. must be.” (1170-1172) $200,000

How did the festival of Dionysia impact Greek Theatre?

A. Helped create a for to B. Only festival to allow women to attend a play collaborate. performance.

C. Invented the 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 D. Invented the playwright, increased theatre’s and dance all night long.” (163-168) 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. Sophocles supported the growing cynicism B. Sophocles insults the cynicism towards towards traditional Greek Mythology by traditional Greek mythology by supporting Greek constantly referring to as a customs and applying a negative connotation to the representative of the Gods. concept of one supreme being within Antigone. C. Sophocles denounces the cynicism towards D. Sophocles supported the growing cynicism Greek mythology by constant referral to Zeus. 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 B. Sophocles insults the cynicism towards dance all night” (167-168) traditional Greek mythology by supporting Greek Creon: “For God’s sake, tell me and get out of here!” customs and applying a negative connotation to the (267) 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 delivered a cathartic speech after realizing his Antigone and Creon gave a cathartic speech. tragic flaw.

C. Creon’s hamartia was his reliance on D. Antigone’s hubris was her hamartia. democracy. After Antigone realized she had too Catharsis was not relevant in this drama. much hubris, she delivered a cathartic speech. 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 delivered a cathartic speech after realizing his Antigone and Creon gave a cathartic speech. tragic flaw.

C. Creon’s hamartia was his reliance on D. Antigone’s hubris was her hamartia. democracy. After Antigone realized she had too Catharsis was not relevant in this drama. much hubris, she delivered a cathartic speech. $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 Creon’s hubris was hamartia, and he me? B. delivered a cathartic speech after realizing his MESSENGER: Her curse is upon you for the tragic flaw 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) $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 B. Reflected in Teiresias’ prophecy against sexist view of Antigone. 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 Creon: “Your nature is vile, in yielding sexist view of Antigone. 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 B. Some characters emulate debate elements controversial topics in which determine mostly to make the play relatable to Athenians. justice within Antigone. Without these Without it Antigone would not be able make characters, Antigone would never be able Athenians relate to the plot. to have an interactive chorus. D. Some characters within Antigone showed the C. All the characters within Antigone use debate debate elements to make the play more pleasing elements to help articulate a better point of view of towards law officials. Without it Sophocles would lost each character through their arguments. Without it part of his audience because he would not be able to the story would lose . relate to them. 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 B. Some characters emulate debate elements controversial topics in which determine mostly to make the play relatable to Athenians. justice within Antigone. Without these Without it Antigone would not be able make characters, Antigone would never be able Athenians relate to the plot. to have an interactive chorus. D. Some characters within Antigone showed the C. All the characters within Antigone use debate debate elements to make the play more pleasing elements to help articulate a better point of view of towards law officials. Without it Sophocles would lost each character through their arguments. Without it part of his audience because he would not be able to the story would lose characterization. relate to them. $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 Chorus: “And now when the city, with all its folk, controversial topics in which determine is gripped by a violent plague, justice within Antigone. Without these comes with healing foot, over the slopes of characters, Antigone would never be able Parnassus” (1205-1207) to have an interactive chorus. Haemon: “the city mourns for this girl; they think she is dying most wrongly and most undeservedly.” (744-745) Works Cited

● "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 , 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. ● "King Creon vs. Antigone." AngelFire. Elizabeth , n.d. Web. 01 Sept. 2015.