Classicism and the Tragedy

Antigone

What is Classicism?
Historical tradition Aesthetic attitudes - nature and beauty (artistically pleasing) Antiquity - ancient times High regard for the ancient art Borrowed from ancient Greece and Rome

Elements of Classicism
Reason Clarity Balance Harmony Restraint Order Universal Themes

Romanticism is sometimes considered the opposite of Classicism because it emphasizes unrestrained emotions and personal themes.

Classicism does not just refer to literature but also music and art.

Greek and Roman Works

Classicism is an interest in ancient Greek and Roman writers and artists, such as Virgil, Homer and Sophocles.

Sophocles
Born in 495 B.C. near Athens Wrote nearly 120 plays Many were performed at the Theatre of Dionysus First to add a third actor into plays Performed many of his own plays Credited with scene painting Ordained priest and city treasurer

Sophocles Plays only 7 survived

Oedipus the King Oedipus at Colonus The Women of Trachis Electra Antigone

All are considered tragedies.

Elements of a Tragedy
Main character comes to an unhappy end. Main character is usually dignified, courageous, and often high ranking. Characters downfall is sometimes caused by a tragic flaw or forces beyond his control. The tragic hero usually wins some selfknowledge or wisdom.

Tragic Hero
Usually born of nobility He has a tragic flaw in judgment (pride or self-confidence leads to a disregard of divine warning or an important law). Responsible for his own fate. Evokes both pity and terror (a combination of good and evil He has the potential for greatness, but is doomed to fail.

Antigone
One of the earliest of Sophocles plays One of three plays surrounding the family of Oedipus Rex Set after the war in Thebes Considered a play of ideas in a period of political novelty

Background on Antigone
Laius, one of the Theban kings, asked the oracle Delphi whether he and his wife Jocasta would have a son. The oracle replies that the son they will have is destined to kill his father. After the child is born, Laius bonds the babys feet and gives him to a herdsman to be killed. Instead, the herdsman gives the baby to a shepherd who gives the baby to Polybus and Merope (rulers of Corinth). They name the baby Oedipus swollen foot.

When Oedipus finds out he is not the legitimate son of Polybus, he travels to Delphi. He meets an oracle who tells him he is destined to kill his father and marry his mother. Troubled, he decides not to return to Corinth. While walking, he meets three aristocrats who refuse to move off the road for Oedipus. Enraged, he kills the oldest and proceeds to Thebes.

Thebes is suffering from a terrible Sphinx. She will leave only when someone answers her riddle. Oedipus confronts her. Here is his riddle:
What animal goes on four legs in the morning, two legs at noon, and three legs in the evening? What is the answer?

The answer is man. Having saved the city, Oedipus is proclaimed king to replace the slain Laius. He also marries the queen Jocasta.

They have four children

Eteocles - son Polyneices - son Ismen - daughter Antigone - daughter

Hard times fall on Thebes. Oedipus asks the oracle for an answer. She claims that the murderer of Laius has polluted the land. Oedipus looks for the murderer and finds it is he. Jocasta hangs herself, and Oedipus uses her brooch to stab his eyes so that he can no longer see what he has done. Antigone and Ismene accompany him into exile. Eteocles and Polyneices remain in Thebes where Jocastas brother Creon is now ruling.

When the boys are grown, they agree to rule Thebes alternately. Eteocles rules first, but he refuses to relizuish the throne to Polyneices. They go to war, but both are killed in battle. Creon once again takes control of Thebes. He gives Eteocles an honorable burial but refuses to bury Polyneices. After Oedipuss death, Antigone and Ismene return to Thebes.

Antigone wants both brothers to have a funeral--thus, the story of Antigone begins.