Greek Drama

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Greek Drama
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Greek Drama

• Dynamic relationship between individual,
  community, and the gods.
• First masters of drama
• Tells story of imitation of actions.

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Roots of Greek Drama

• Rituals worshipping Dionysus
• Religious rites between
• 2 choruses
• Leader and chorus
• Actors took over audiences role as chorus.

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Greek Theatres

• Open air
• 13,000 27,000 people
• Proscenium
• Stage
• Orchestra
• Dancing space
• Skene
• Dressing room
• Alter
• Dedicated to Dyonysus
• Male actors wore masks

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Greek Theater
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Chorus

• Actors play roles
• Chorus makes commentary

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Sophocles

• Public citizen of Athens
• 123 dramas
• 7 survive
• Developed plot through action of characters

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Sophocles Oedipus trilogy

• Oedipus the King
• Oedipus at Colonus
• Antigone

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Oedipus the King
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Sophocles Antigone

• Third in group of plays
• Odipus the King Oedipus at Colonus
• Produced shortly before 441 BC
• Last phase of history of Thebes

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Antigone Plot

• Oedipus is dead
• His sons Polynices and Eteocles fight for throne
• They both die.
• Brother-in-Law Creon becomes king
• Creon forbid burial of Polynices
• Claims Eteocles was rightful ruler
• Antingone, Oedipus daughter lover of Haemon
  Creons 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.

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Major Themes of Antigone

• Conflicts
• 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

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Antigone