Sophocles, Antigone Introduction to English

Transcript:Sophocles, Antigone Introduction to English:
Sophocles, Antigone Introduction to English Literature 04, June 16-19, 2020 Sophocles Biography Sophocles lived from c.496 to c.406 B.C., during the Golden Age of Athens (480-404 B.C.). Involved in the war becoming friends with Pericles. Writing one hundred and twenty-three tragedies, of which only seven remain intact Theban Trilogy Oedipus Rex (Oedipus the King) (c. 430 B.C.) Oedipus at Colonus (c. 404 B.C.) Antigone (c. 442 B.C.) All three deal with King Oedipus's tragic fall from power and the ruin of his children. Antigone Sophocles's message to Pericles on the dangers of authoritarian rule, and the playwright's assertion of the general's need to remain conscious of his duty to the citizens of Athens. It was the duty of playwrights in Athens to address social and political issues, and this play not only addresses authoritarian rule, but also familial duty and the status of women in society. When Antigone stands up to Creon she not only defies the edict, but also the traditional behavior of Greek women of the time. Summary Background. Antigone vs Ismene. Creon’s degree. Chorus’s “Ode to Man.” Antigone’s arrest and death sentence. Haeman’s criticism on Creon’s decision. Creon’s decision to bury Antigone alive. Teiresias’s warning to Creon. Creon’s change of mind and his downfall(Peripateia) Background The play begins outside the palace of Thebes, not long after invading forces from Argos have successfully been repelled. Polyneices, who sought to overthrow his brother, Eteocles, led the unsuccessful army. During combat, the two brothers—both sons of Oedipus—killed one another, and their uncle, Creon, is now king of Thebes. Antigone and Ismene, sisters of Polyneices and Eteocles, are meeting in secret. Antigone vs Ismene Antigone has called her sister to meet outside the palace gates for an urgent purpose. Creon is about to issue a decree that will ensure a hero’s burial for Eteocles but leave Polyneices, seen as a traitor, unburied and unmourned. Worse still, Creon is to decree that anyone caught giving Polyneices a burial will be sentenced to death. However, Polyneices is still Antigone’s brother. She believes it is his right to receive a proper burial and intends to give him one herself. She asks Ismene to assist her in the work. Ismene, fearful of a death sentence, refuses. Antigone, who is headstrong and severe, tells Ismene she hates her and leaves to perform the burial on her own. Creon’s degree Creon appears before the chorus—the elders of