Text in Context

1. Text in Context Antigone

2. Learning Objectives: • Discuss and analyse the plot line of the Oedipus Trilogy. • Further knowledge of the key elements and roles within Greek Theatre and Culture. • Communicate the knowledge retained.

3. The Theban Plays by Sophocles • Oedipus the King • Oedipus at Colonus • Antigone

5. Events that occur before the play begins Death of Laius

6. "Which creature in the morning goes on four legs, at mid-day on two, and in the evening upon three, and the more legs it has, the weaker it be?" Man—who crawls on all fours as a baby, then walks on two feet as an adult, and then walks with a cane in old age.

7. Oedipus the King The citizens of Thebes are struggling with a plague cast over the city. They seek help from King Oedipus…

8. Tiresias warns Oedipus of his murder of Laius, his incestuous marriage and his future of wandering the earth as a blind man.

9. Oedipus and Jocasta share their prophecies

10. After finding Jocasta dead, from hanging herself, Oedipus takes a pin from her clothes and gouges his eyes out, leaving him blind.

11. Oedipus at Colonus After being banished from Thebes Oedipus is now a blind beggar led by Antigone.

12. Polynices askes his father for help in securing the throne of Thebes after arguing with his brother Eteocles. Oedipus curses him and tells him he and his brother will kill each other for the throne. Foretelling their deaths.

13. Themes of Oedipus Trilogy

14. Character Map

15. Theatre of Dionysus

16. Match the words to the right place within the amphitheatre Skene Theatron Parados Proskenion Orchestra

18. Roughly how many people can you seat in an open Greek Theatre such as Epidaurus? A. 10,000 B. 15,000 C. 20,000 D. 25,000

19. Greek Tragedy • Greek Tragedies would often embody: • Situations that caused the audience distress • Themes of real life • Gods vs. mankind • Children paying for their parent’s sins/crimes • Acts of cruelty • Acts of Tyranny • Vanity and hubris • The human condition • Consequences of actions • Prophecies and fate

20. Greek Theatre and Society • Greek Theatre began as a form of religious festival dedicated to the God of Dionysus. • This developed into a competition where awards were given. • The audience members would be aware of the stories of the tragedies performed. • Attendance was almost mandatory and admittance was free. • Greece was divided into cities – each with their own rule and King and Queen.

21. Greek Gods The Greek Gods were seen as a higher law to the law of the state. When man sinned or committed a crime such as murder, incest or rape, unless appropriate punishment was served by the state, the Gods would punish cities with plagues or curse families. Zeus

22. How many actors would perform character roles in an ancient Greek theatre play? A. 3 Actors B. 4 Actors C. 7 Actors D. 10 Actors

23. Greek Actors and Costumes • All male actors • A vocal range of expression, tone, pitch was needed • Masks were used to play different characters • More than 30 different masks have been known to have existed • Tragic actors wore restricted costumes • Comic actors had less restricted costumes • Chorus had more freedom to move and wore light masks