Studied by 1 personSophocles birth
497 BCE in Athens
type of government in Antigone
exclusionary democracy
sophocles stance on equality
aware of the inequalities in Athens
Sophocles' plays include attempts to warn Greeks
of divine retribution that would be a result of their prejudices and injustice to the poor
Antigone explores themes of
pride, loyalty, and personal responsibility
Antigone - third part of trilogy which includes
Oedipus Rex and Oedipus at Colonus
*Antigone's conflict
the relationship of the individual's conscience to the demands of the state
Gods were not all-powerful but
subject to fate and each other's will
They were bound to enforce an ancient body of laws and traditions such as
treatment of relatives
The conflict in Antigone stems from the
"unnatural" occurrence of two brothers waging war against each other and ultimately killing each other
Greeks belief on free will
free will was no more powerful than destiny
Anagnorisis
Hero's epiphany, realization of error that has resulted in tragic downfall
Peripeteia
Reversal of fortune and downfall of tragic hero and events leading to that downfall (Creon, due to his stubborn insistence that his law be obeyed and his blindness to see that his law is in direct opposition to moral law, loses his only surviving son, his wife, and any chance of happiness. He ends up a broken man.)
Catharsis
deep suffering witnessed by the audience leads to a feeling of purgation, and draining of emotions, leaving them with a new sense of self-awareness and the ability to better understand life. Ironically, the audience feels better after viewing a tragedy (final renewal).
Hamartia
tragic flaw of hero, usually wrath or pride, that leads to his downfall. This error in judgement or perception, the inability to see his flaw or foresee the consequences of his actions, leads to the hero's downfall.
Hubris
exaggerated arrogance, self-pride, or self-confidence which often results in fatal retribution. Hubris against the gods is often the flaw of heroes in Greek tragedy and the cause of their destruction.
Greek Drama
all male casts, in daylight with minimal sets/props, no violene, masks
Three Unities of Aristotle
A) Unity of time - actions of play within 24 hours, continuous time
B) Unity of place - action limited to single setting
C) Unity of subject - one main plot focused on main character
Deus ex machina - (god from the machine)
Rescue of characters from complications beyond their abilities to resolve
Elements of Chorus
A) 15-20 men represented citizens
B) Always onstage - sang and danced
C) Leader who spoke with main character or rest of the Chorus
Functions of the chorus
Set the tone of the drama
Give background info
Recall events of the past
Interpret and summarize events
Ask questions
Offer opinions
Give advice
Stay objective
Act as jury of elders/wise men who listen to evidence in play and reach a moralistic conclusion
Sophocles intent with Oedipus Rex
to illustrate conflict between fate and free will and natural and human law.
Antigone's parents
Oedipus and Jocasta
Oedipus parents
Laius and Jocasta.
Why were Laius and his sons cursed
Because of his poor treatment of his host and his host's son
Opd Rex beginning
in medias res" (in the middle- plauge)
who ruled Thebes as a triumvirate
Jocasta, Oedipus, and Creon
when did Oedipus seek advice from the Oracle @ Delphi (shrine where deity reveals hidden knowledge). Then the truth was revealed.
only after a famine
*Oedipus' sons, _____, were cursed by their father by twice showing him disrespect.
Polynices and Eteocles
What happened when Oedipus and Jocasta realized the truth
Oedipus blinded himself, and Jocasta committed suicide.
what happened when the two brothers gained control of the throne
Eteocles refused to relinquish his power at the end of the year; Polynices then raised an army in the city of Argos and attacked Thebes. They killed each other in battle
Oedipus translation
"swollen foot" He appears with a limp because his feet were pinned together when he was a baby.
what theories of Freud come from Oed Rex
the Oedipus Complex and the Electra Complex
Oedipus characteristics
intelligence, confidence, rashness, and suffering
considered the greatest surviving Greek Tragedy
Oedipus Rex
tragic hero
a character of noble status and greatness of character, usually a man, the hero occupies a position of wealth, status, an power in his society AND he must exemplify the traits of nobility and virtue as part of his innate character
tragic hero through the audience eyes
the tragic hero is great, but not perfect. The audience must be able to sympathize with the tragic hero as a person like them, but with a higher position in society
often, the tragic hero's hamartia involves
hubris
tragic hero misfortune:
the hero's misfortune is not wholly deserved; the punishment exceeds the crime
result of the hero's loss
increase in awareness, some gain in self-knowledge, some discovery on the part of the tragic hero (anagnorisis)
greek drama importance
not just entertainment but a part of community celebration and religious ritual
Setting of Oedipus Rex
Thebes 430 BCE
Oedipus
tragic hero of the story, became the King of Thebes after having defeated the Sphinx. Once king he married the queen Jocasta and had 4 children with her
King Laius
King of Thebes prior to Oedipus and late husband to Queen Jocasta. He left his son to die on Mount Cithaeron because of a prophecy that he would kill Laius and sleep with the queen
Priest
high priest of thebes- medium between the people and the gods
Creon in Oedipus Rex
brother of Jocasta and brother in law to Oedipus
Messenger in Oedipus Rex
an old man and herald from Corinth (where Oedipus grew up)
servant in Oedipus Rex
an old shepherd who fled the attack of Laius and saved Oedipus as a baby
why, according to Antigone, is Zeus tormenting her and her sister
Oedipus' and the brother's actions
what side does the chorus favor?
Creon (they are citizens of Thebes)
one can infer from the passage that Thebes was a city with
seven gates
the purpose of the chorus's opening speech is to
provide plot explanation
according to the Chorus, the Argive army failed to conquer Thebes because of
hubris
this passage (Antigone) contains all of the following except
humor
creon's speech indicated that, above all, he values
loyalty to the state
The Chorus's introduction of Haemon suggests that Creon
had at least one other son, who died
Creon's long speech contains all of the following except
sagacity
In this passage, Sophocles portrays the Chorus of theban Elders as
weak and indecisive
Haemon telling his father, "Then she'll die-and in her death kill someone else" exposes Creon's
paranoia
In this passage, Haemon's behavior toward his father progresses from
cautious to combative
The Chrous's reaction to Eurydice's suggests that
all excuses are dangerous
the audience only now learns of the death of Maegareos in order to
add to Creon's utter loss
What does the Chorus finally conclude about fate vs. free will
the chorus remain ambivalent
at the revelation of Eurydice's suicide, Creon experiences his
anagnorisis
the "foolish man" to whom Creon refers in line 92 is
himself
born in 469 BCE
Socrates
considered strange and responsible for philosophy today
Socrates
did not write a single piece
Socrates
death and trial became the catalyst for the discipline of philosophy
Socrates
esteemed as highly as religious leaders
Socrates
an eccentric figure who wandered the marketplace and other public areas in shabby clothes
Socrates
Socrates questioned topics of
virtue, love, courage, wisdom
encouraged everyone of all ages to join him in his question and answer method to discover truths
Socrates
"Wisdom begins in wonder" "Know thyself" "No evil can happen to a good man, either in life or after death" and "The only wisdom is in knowing you know nothing"
Socrates
the "Apology" is a
monoloque where Socrates explains himself, his final address to the court
refused several opportunities to escape from prison and carried out his own execution by drinking poison made from hemlock
Socrates
felt his enemies condemned him to escape accusation and avoid giving accounts of their lives
Socrates
in 399 convicted of corrupting the minds of his young students
Socrates
a student of Socrates and founder of the Academy
Plato
Plato greatest works
"The Republic" and "Dialogues"
writings examined concepts like freedom of conscience, the nature of reality, the existence of the soul, the ideal government, and how to live a virtuous and happy life
Plato
The Republic is based on
a Utopian society with three classes: philosopher kings, courageous guardians, and appetitive workers
theory of Ideals and Allegory of the Cave
Plato
ideas are the only reality
Plato
founded the Lyceum
Aristotle
Order of philosophers
Socrates, Plato, Aristotle
lived in athens during the Golden Age of Philosophy
Socrates
What was Socrates accused of?
corrupting the youth; impiety
Note
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