Greek Theatre
What was the chorus' role in Greek theatre?
Possible answers:
-inform the audience of what is happening
-sing and chant
-sum up the action at the end of each big scene
Oedipus, Antigone's father, is famous because he __________?
Married his mother and killed his father
What punishment did Creon decree would happen to the person that buried Polyneices?
Death by public stoning
What is one of the themes in Antigone?
-Civil Disobedience
-Humans can't escape their fate
-Men are not inherently superior to women (female empowerment!)
-Pride will be your downfall / learn from your mistakes
-Humans can't escape death
Why do King Laius and Queen Jocasta abandon baby Oedipus?
The stage in an ancient Greek theatre was called the __________.
Why does Creon forbid the burial of Polyneices?
Polyneices' foreign army invaded and laid waste to Thebes.
Why doesn't Ismene want to help Antigone bury Polyneices?
She is afraid of Creon's law and the decreed punishment (death).
"Catastrophe" in a Greek play refers to either the tragic finish to a play or a sudden disaster in the play. What is the catastrophe in Antigone?
The deaths of Antigone, Eurydice, and Haemon mark the catastrophe of the play.
How does Oedipus defeat the Sphynx at Thebes?
He answers its riddle, then it kills itself.
3
What is one thing that Creon and Antigone have in common, personality wise?
They are both stubborn!
When the guard tells Creon of Polyneices' burial, what does Creon threaten him with?
Torture until death
Who said, "Every human makes mistakes in their lifetime, but the smart ones will learn from their mistakes"
Teiresias
How does Oedipus kill his birth father, King Laius?
Road rage incident
Greek tragedies normally focused on what?
A. the gods evil actions towards humans
B. wars and battles
C. the downfall/failure of prideful characters
D. true love
C. the downfall/failure of prideful characters
Why does Creon decide to lock Antigone in a cave with no food? (Think - why didn't he just kill her himself?)
He would feel less responsible for her death by killing her this way.
Creon believes that the guard and Teiresias spoke with him because they were...
What does Oedipus do when his mother/wife, Queen Jocasta, kills herself?
He gouges his eyes out.
Who (what kind of people) makes up the chorus in Antigone?
When Haemon tries to convince Creon to free Antigone, what does Creon threaten to do in order to teach Haemon a lesson?
He threatens to kill Antigone in front of Haemon as a lesson.
Why did Polyneices and Eteocles kill each other?
They were cursed by Oedipus to kill each other and they were fighting over the throne.
1. What is dramatic irony?
2. What is one example of dramatic irony in Antigone?
1. Dramatic irony = when audience knows something the characters do not
2. Creon doesn't know who buried Polyneices, When Creon asks what "man" buried Polyneices
Who is the tragic hero of Antigone?
Possible Answers:
-Creon
-Antigone