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 ● 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 ● 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? ● 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 ● 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 ● 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 ● 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 ● 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 ● Catharsis - emotional outpour of a character. When a character realizes their flaw or downfall, they often deliver a cathartic speech. ● 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 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 act 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 Plot. 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 setting for playwrights to B. Only festival to allow women to attend a play collaborate. 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 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 Zeus 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.