Drama by Sophocles - Cleona El School

42 Pages·2014·2.62 MB·English

Before Reading
Antigone
Drama by Sophocles
What is your ultimate
LOYA LT Y ?
Do you feel more loyal to your family or your friends? to yourself or
your country? Which of these gets your greatest loyalty?
RL 1 Cite textual evidence to
support analysis of what the
text says explicitly as well as
inferences drawn from the DISCUSS Rank the principles shown on the list in order loyalty to family
toerx cte. nRtrLa 2l idDeeat eorfm ai tneex at. theme of their importance to you. Imagine situations that obedience to civil law
RL 3 Analyze how complex might bring these principles into conflict and think protection of nation
cmhoatriavcatteiorsn ws ditehv ceolonpf,l iicnttienrga ct with about which you would choose. With a small group, protection of personal
others, and advance the plot or discuss your rankings and your reasoning. dignity
develop the theme. RL 10 Read
and comprehend dramas.
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Background
text analysis: classical drama
Sophocles
Keep these characteristics of classical drama in mind as you
read Sophocles’ Antigone: 496?–406 B. C.
Doomed King
• A major form of classical drama is the tragedy, which recounts
Sophocles was one of the great dramatists
the downfall of a dignified, superior character—a tragic hero.
of ancient Greece, and his play Antigone is
The tragic hero may have archetypal elements, or elements that
regarded as one of the finest examples of
appear over and over again in literature. An error or weakness— classical Greek tragedy. Along with Oedipus
the hero’s tragic flaw—may contribute to his or her ruin. the King and Oedipus at Colonus, it is part
of Sophocles’ Theban trilogy. These three
• An important element of classical drama is the chorus, a
plays are based on the legend of Oedipus
group of actors who comment on the action in the play. (DdPE-pEs), the doomed Theban king who
Their leader is the choragus. unknowingly killed his father and married
• Dramatic irony—the audience’s awareness of things the his mother. Antigone (Bn-tGgPE-nC) is the
daughter of Oedipus.
characters do not know—is often present in classical drama.
Family Feud
Review: Character, Conflict, Theme
As the play begins, Antigone and her sister,
Ismene (Gs-mCPnC), recall their dead father.
reading strategy: reading classical drama
Upon discovering the truth about his
Use the following strategies to help you understand Antigone: marriage, Oedipus blinded himself and went
into exile, where he was cared for by his two
• Visualize the staging of the play, with its masked actors.
daughters until his death. His sons, Eteocles
• Clarify unfamiliar references by using the marginal notes. (G-tCPE-klCzQ) and Polyneices (pJlQE-nFPsCz),
agreed to share the kingship of Thebes, ruling
• Infer the traits, values, and motivations of the two main
in alternate years. However, after Eteocles
characters, Antigone and Creon. Evaluate these characters,
had served his first term as king, he refused
who are in conflict. to relinquish the throne to Polyneices,
claiming that Polyyneices was unfit
• Relate the songs of the chorus to the action of the play. Use
to rule. Polynneeiicceess tthheenn
a chart to record notes about the song the chorus sings at the
enlisted an arrmmyy ffrroomm
end of each scene.
Argos, a longg--ssttaannddiinngg
enemy of Theebbeess,, ttoo
Summary of Song Function of Song
fight his brotthheerr.. IInn
Parodos Polyneices attacked Thebes gives background for Creon’s the course off bbaattttllee,,
but was defeated. order not to bury Polyneices the brothers kkiilllleedd
each other. TThheeiirr uunnccllee,,
Ode 1
Creon, who hhaass bbeeccoommee
king, now facceess tthhee
task of restorriinngg oorrddeerr iinn
vocabulary in context
Thebes. He ppllaannss ttoo
Define each vocabulary word you’re familiar with. After honor one coorrppssee
reading the play, define the words that were unfamiliar. and dishonorr tthhee
other.
word anarchist impassively reverence
list
auspicious insolence sate
contempt lamentation sententiously
defile perverse transgress
Author Online
Go to thinkcentral.com. KEYWORD: HML10-1067
Complete the activities in your Reader/Writer Notebook.
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V
N T IGON E
¤
S o p h o c l e s
CAST OF CHARACTERS SCENE
Antigone, daughter of Oedipus, Chorus, made up of about 15 Before the palace of Creon, king of
former king of Thebes elders of Thebes Thebes. A central double door, and
two doors at the side. A platform
Ismene, daughter of Oedipus Choragus, leader of the chorus
extends the length of the stage, and
Creon (krCPJnQ), king of Thebes, A Sentry from this platform three steps lead
uncle of Antigone and Ismene
down into the orchestra, or chorus
A Messenger
Haemon (hCPmJnQ), Creon’s son, ground.
engaged to Antigone
Eurydice (yM-rGdPG-sC), wife of TIME
Creon Dawn of the day after the repulse
Teiresias (tF-rCPsC-Es), a blind of the Argive army from the assault
prophet on Thebes
prologue
(Antigone and Ismene enter from the central door of the palace.)
Antigone. Ismene, dear sister,
You would think that we had already suffered enough
For the curse on Oedipus:
I cannot imagine any grief
That you and I have not gone through. And now—
5
Have they told you the new decree of our king Creon?
Ismene. I have heard nothing: I know
That two sisters lost two brothers, a double death
In a single hour; and I know that the Argive army 9 Argive (ärPjFvQ): of Argos.
Fled in the night; but beyond this, nothing.
10
Martha Henry as Antigone and Philip
Bosco as Creon in the Lincoln Center
Repertory 1971 production
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Antigone. I thought so. And that is why I wanted you
To come out here with me. There is something we must do.
Ismene. Why do you speak so strangely?
Antigone. Listen, Ismene:
15 Creon buried our brother Eteocles
With military honors, gave him a soldier’s funeral,
And it was right that he should; but Polyneices,
Who fought as bravely and died as miserably—
They say that Creon has sworn
20 No one shall bury him, no one mourn for him, 20–22 No one shall bury . . . search for
But his body must lie in the fields, a sweet treasure food: The obligation to bury the dead
For carrion birds to find as they search for food. with appropriate rites was considered
sacred by the ancient Greeks. They
That is what they say, and our good Creon is coming here
believed that the soul of someone left
To announce it publicly; and the penalty— unburied would never find peace.
25 Stoning to death in the public square!
There it is,
And now you can prove what you are:
A true sister, or a traitor to your family.
Ismene. Antigone, you are mad! What could I possibly do?
Antigone. You must decide whether you will help me or not.
30 Ismene. I do not understand you. Help you in what?
Antigone. Ismene, I am going to bury him. Will you come?
Ismene. Bury him! You have just said the new law forbids it.
Antigone. He is my brother. And he is your brother, too.
Ismene. But think of the danger! Think what Creon will do!
35 Antigone. Creon is not strong enough to stand in my way.
Ismene. Ah sister!
Oedipus died, everyone hating him
For what his own search brought to light, his eyes
Ripped out by his own hand; and Jocasta died, 39 Jocasta (jI-kBsPtE): the mother of
40 His mother and wife at once: she twisted the cords Antigone and Ismene. Jocasta hanged
That strangled her life; and our two brothers died, herself when she realized the truth
about her relationship with Oedipus.
Each killed by the other’s sword. And we are left:
But oh, Antigone,
Think how much more terrible than these
45 Our own death would be if we should go against Creon
And do what he has forbidden! We are only women; RL 4
We cannot fight with men, Antigone! Language Coach
The law is strong, we must give in to the law
Fixed Expressions Some verbs
In this thing, and in worse. I beg the dead take on a special meaning when
50 To forgive me, but I am helpless: I must yield followed by a particular adverb.
Reread lines 48–49. What does give
To those in authority. And I think it is dangerous business
in mean in these lines? What clue
To be always meddling.
does line 47 provide?
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Antigone. If that is what you think,
I should not want you, even if you asked to come.
You have made your choice; you can be what you want to be.
55 But I will bury him; and if I must die,
I say that this crime is holy: I shall lie down
With him in death, and I shall be as dear
To him as he to me. a a CONFLICT
It is the dead, Note the seriousness of the conflict
Not the living, who make the longest demands: that is introduced. What is Antigone
going to do, and what may happen
60 We die forever. . . .
to her as a result?
You may do as you like,
Since apparently the laws of the gods mean nothing to you.
Ismene. They mean a great deal to me; but I have no strength
To break laws that were made for the public good.
Antigone.That must be your excuse, I suppose. But as for me,
65 I will bury the brother I love.
Tandy Cronyn as Ismene and Martha Henry as Antigone in the Lincoln Center
Repertory 1971 production
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Ismene. Antigone,
I am so afraid for you!
Antigone. You need not be:
You have yourself to consider, after all.
Ismene. But no one must hear of this; you must tell no one!
I will keep it a secret, I promise!
Antigone. Oh tell it! Tell everyone!
70 Think how they’ll hate you when it all comes out
If they learn that you knew about it all the time!
Ismene. So fiery! You should be cold with fear.
Antigone. Perhaps. But I am doing only what I must.
Ismene. But can you do it? I say that you cannot.
75 Antigone. Very well: when my strength gives out, I shall do no more.
Ismene. Impossible things should not be tried at all.
Antigone. Go away, Ismene:
I shall be hating you soon, and the dead will too,
For your words are hateful. Leave me my foolish plan:
80 I am not afraid of the danger; if it means death,
It will not be the worst of deaths—death without honor.
Ismene. Go then, if you feel that you must.
You are unwise,
But a loyal friend indeed to those who love you.
b b CHARACTER
(Exit into the palace. Antigone goes off, left. Enters the Chorus, So far, what have you learned about
Antigone, the protagonist of the
with Choragus.)
play? How would you contrast her
with her sister, Ismene?
parodos
Parodos (pBrPE-dJsQ): a song that marks
the entry of the chorus, which represents
Chorus. Now the long blade of the sun, lying the leading citizens of Thebes.
Level east to west, touches with glory
Thebes of the Seven Gates. Open, unlidded
Eye of golden day! O marching light
5 Across the eddy and rush of Dirce’s stream, 5 Dirce’s (dûrPsCz) stream: a stream
Striking the white shields of the enemy flowing past Thebes. The stream is
Thrown headlong backward from the blaze of morning! named for a murdered queen who
was thrown into it.
Choragus. Polyneices their commander
Roused them with windy phrases,
10 He the wild eagle screaming
Insults above our land,
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His wings their shields of snow,
His crest their marshaled helms.
Chorus. Against our seven gates in a yawning ring 14–15 seven gates: Thebes had seven
15 The famished spears came onward in the night; gates, which the Argives attacked all
But before his jaws were sated with our blood, at once.
Or pine fire took the garland of our towers, sate (sAt) v. to satisfy fully
He was thrown back; and as he turned, great Thebes—
No tender victim for his noisy power—
20 Rose like a dragon behind him, shouting war.
Choragus. For God hates utterly 21–26 Zeus, the king of the gods, threw a
The bray of bragging tongues; thunderbolt, which killed the first Argive
And when he beheld their smiling, attacker.
Their swagger of golden helms,
25 The frown of his thunder blasted
Their first man from our walls.
Chorus. We heard his shout of triumph high in the air
Turn to a scream; far out in a flaming arc
He fell with his windy torch, and the earth struck him.
30 And others storming in fury no less than his
Found shock of death in the dusty joy of battle.
Choragus. Seven captains at seven gates 32–34 When the seven captains were
Yielded their clanging arms to the god killed, their armor was offered as a
That bends the battle line and breaks it. sacrifice to Ares (ârPCz), the god of war.
35 These two only, brothers in blood,
Face to face in matchless rage,
Mirroring each the other’s death,
Clashed in long combat.
Chorus. But now in the beautiful morning of victory
40 Let Thebes of the many chariots sing for joy! c READING CLASSICAL DRAMA
With hearts for dancing we’ll take leave of war: Summarize the background
information that the chorus gives
Our temples shall be sweet with hymns of praise,
in its song. How does the chorus
And the long night shall echo with our chorus.
c view Polyneices?
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SCENE 1
Choragus. But now at last our new king is coming:
Creon of Thebes, Menoeceus’ son. 2 Menoeceus’ (mE-nCPsyMs).
In this auspicious dawn of his reign
What are the new complexities auspicious (ô-spGshPEs) adj.
5 That shifting Fate has woven for him? promising success; favorable
What is his counsel? Why has he summoned
The old men to hear him?
(Enter Creon from the palace. He addresses the Chorus from the top step.)
Creon. Gentlemen: I have the honor to inform you that our ship of
state, which recent storms have threatened to destroy, has come
10 safely to harbor at last, guided by the merciful wisdom of heaven.
I have summoned you here this morning because I know that I
can depend upon you: your devotion to King Laius was absolute; 12 Laius (lAPEs): the father of Oedipus.
you never hesitated in your duty to our late ruler Oedipus; and
when Oedipus died, your loyalty was transferred to his children.
15 Unfortunately, as you know, his two sons, the princes Eteocles and
Polyneices, have killed each other in battle; and I, as the next in
blood, have succeeded to the full power of the throne.
I am aware, of course, that no ruler can expect complete loyalty
from his subjects until he has been tested in office. Nevertheless,
20 I say to you at the very outset that I have nothing but contempt contempt (kEn-tDmptP) n. an attitude
for the kind of governor who is afraid, for whatever reason, to of regarding someone or something
follow the course that he knows is best for the state; and as for as worthless or inferior
the man who sets private friendship above the public welfare—
I have no use for him, either. I call God to witness that if I
RL 3
25 saw my country headed for ruin, I should not be afraid to
speak out plainly; and I need hardly remind you that I would d MOTIFS IN DRAMA
never have any dealings with an enemy of the people. No one A motif is an element or concept
d
expressed by the characters
values friendship more highly than I; but we must remember
throughout a play that helps
that friends made at the risk of wrecking our ship are not real
develop the plot and theme.
30 friends at all. e Although this is only the first scene
These are my principles, at any rate, and that is why I have of Antigone, the idea of treachery
made the following decision concerning the sons of Oedipus: versus loyalty has appeared several
times. How do you think this motif
Eteocles, who died as a man should die, fighting for his country,
might affect the plot?
is to be buried with full military honors, with all the ceremony
35 that is usual when the greatest heroes die; but his brother e CHARACTER
Polyneices, who broke his exile to come back with fire and This speech introduces Creon,
sword against his native city and the shrines of his fathers’ who acts as Antigone’s antagonist.
According to him, what deserves
gods, whose one idea was to spill the blood of his blood and
the highest loyalty? Read on to
sell his own people into slavery—Polyneices, I say, is to have no
learn his motives for forbidding
40 burial: no man is to touch him or say the least prayer for him; Polyneices’ burial.
he shall lie on the plain, unburied; and the birds and the
Philip Bosco as Creon in the Lincoln
scavenging dogs can do with him whatever they like.
Center Repertory 1971 production
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