CLASSICAL PERIOD:
The end of the Persian Wars marked the beginning of the Classical period.
▫ Athens reached its greatest political and cultural heights:
° full development of the democratic system of government under Pericles
° building of the Parthenon on the Acropolis
° creation of the tragedies of Sophocles, Aeschylus and Euripides founding of the philosophical schools of Socrates and Plato
4th century Athens, Sparta and Thebes vied for political dominance of Greece - Sparta, backed by Persia, won control.
In the second half of the 4th century, a divided Greece and the decline of the polis gave rise to the powerful Macedonian state under Philip II and his son, Alexander the Great. After bringing all of the eastern world to the continent of India under his control, Alexander died in Babylon at the age of 32 (323 BC). By the time of his death Hellenism had reached much of the known world and the Classical period was over.
WARFARE:
B4 the early 5th century BC - border skirmishes between neighboring Greek states
aimed at destroying the agricultural basis of the enemy´s economy in order to extract specific political and economic concessions. The total destruction of cities and complete annihilation of their populations were usually avoided.
Campaigning was between March and October
4th century BCE warfare was on its way to becoming the internationalized institution that Alexander the Great and his followers are generally thought to have perfected.
PEOPLE:
Women:
▫ virtually no political rights
▫ controlled by men at nearly every stage of their lives
▫ time outside home limited to visits w/ nearest female friends (except for spec. occasions
▫ no formal education in the literary arts, but many of them were taught to read and write informally, in the home
▫ Duties: assisted by female slaves
o bearing & raising children (preferably male)
o run the household
o agricultural work
o making clothes
Men:
▫ schools 1st limited to aristocratic boys
▫ 4th century b.c. all 18-year-old males spent two years in a gymnasion, a state school devoted to the overall physical and intellectual development of a young man
▫ advanced education in philosophy, mathematics, logic and rhetoric was available to the aristocracy
▫ Involved in:
▫ politics
▫ arts and crafts
▫ construction
▫ agriculture
▫ sea-faring
▫ manufacturing
▫ trade
▫ pastimes of horseback riding & hunting (for wealthy)
RELIGION:
▫ deeply religious people
▫ polytheistic (many Gods) - they believed appeared in human form and yet were endowed with superhuman strength and ageless beauty
▫ each Greek city was normally under the protection of one or more individual deities
▫ sanctuaries usually honored a specific God or pair
▫ the world of religion frequently crossed over into the affairs of men (esp. heroes)
▫ Greek athletes were closely associated with religion and trained in order to please a god or goddess in a competition
▫ Gifts for the Gods:
° votives offered in prayer or for amends
° sacrifices both bloodless (plants, etc.) & blood –offerings (animals) usually burnt or poured in wells
° cult images of the Gods erected in their temples
DEATH:
▫ when a person died, his or her vital breath or psyche left the body to enter the palace of Hades
▫ feasts held to honor
▫ wine and water jars were set outside the grave to aid the thirst of the dead and mark the final rites at the closing of the grave
▫ most were buried in single graves
▫ Funeral Ritual:
° driven mostly by women
° customarily of three parts:
- prothesis (laying out of the body) – body washed, dressed and laid out for family/friends to visit
- the ekphora (funeral procession) – usually before dawn
- interment of the body
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Greek Gods
The Olympians are a group of 12 gods who ruled after the overthrow of the Titans. All the Olympians are related in some way. They are named after their dwelling place, Mount Olympus.
The Olympians
Description
Zeus
Zeus overthrew his Father Cronus. He then drew lots with his brothers Poseidon and Hades. Zeus won the draw and became the supreme ruler of the gods. He is lord of the sky, the rain god. His weapon is a thunderbolt which he hurls at those who displease him. He is married to Hera but, is famous for his many affairs. He is also known to punish those that lie or break oaths.
Poseidon
Poseidon is the brother of Zeus. After the overthrow of their Father Cronus he drew lots with Zeus and Hades, another brother, for shares of the world. His prize was to become lord of the sea. He was widely worshiped by seamen. He married Amphitrite, a granddaughter of the Titan Oceanus. At one point he desired Demeter. To put him off Demeter asked him to make the most beautiful animal that the world had ever seen. So to impress her Poseidon created the first horse. In some accounts his first attempts were unsuccessful and created a variety of other animals in his quest. By the time the horse was created his passion for Demeter had cooled. His weapon is a trident, which can shake the earth, and shatter any object. He is second only to Zeus in power amongst the gods. He has a difficult quarrelsome personality. He was greedy. He had a series of disputes with other gods when he tried to take over their cities.
Hades
Hades is the brother of Zeus. After the overthrow of their Father Cronus he drew lots with Zeus and Poseidon, another brother, for shares of the world. He had the worst draw and was made lord of the underworld, ruling over the dead. He is a greedy god who is greatly concerned with increasing his subjects. Those whose calling increase the number of dead are seen favorably. The Erinyes are welcomed guests. He is exceedingly disinclined to allow any of his subjects leave. He is also the god of wealth, due to the precious metals mined from the earth. He has a helmet that makes him invisible. He rarely leaves the underworld. He is unpitying and terrible, but not capricious. His wife is Persephone whom Hades abducted. He is the King of the dead but, death itself is another god, Thanatos.
Hestia
Hestia is Zeus sister. She is a virgin goddess. She does not have a distinct personality. She plays no part in myths. She is the Goddess of the Hearth, the symbol of the house around which a new born child is carried before it is received into the family. Each city had a public hearth sacred to Hestia, where the fire was never allowed to go out.
Hera
Hera is Zeus wife and sister. She was raised by the Titans Ocean and Tethys. She is the protector of marriage and takes special care of married women. Hera's marriage was founded in strife with Zeus and continued in strife. Zeus courted her unsuccessfully. He then turned to trickery, changing himself into disheveled cuckoo. Hera feeling sorry for the bird held it to her breast to warm it. Zeus then resumed his normal form and taking advantage of the surprise he gained, raped her. She then married him to cover her shame. Once when Zeus was being particularly overbearing to the other gods, Hera convinced them to join in a revolt. Her part in the revolt was to drug Zeus, and in this she was successful. The gods then bound the sleeping Zeus to a couch taking care to tie many knots. This done they began to quarrel over the next step. Briareus overheard the arguments. Still full of gratitude to Zeus, Briareus slipped in and was able to quickly untie the many knots. Zeus sprang from the couch and grabbed up his thunderbolt. The gods fell to their knees begging and pleading for mercy. He seized Hera and hung her from the sky with gold chains. She wept in pain all night but, none of the others dared to interfere. Her weeping kept Zeus up and the next morning he agreed to release her if she would swear never to rebel again. She had little choice but, to agree. While she never again rebelled, she often intrigued against Zeus's plans and she was often able to outwit him. Most stories concerning Hera have to do with her jealous revenge for Zeus's infidelities. Her sacred animals are the cow and the peacock. Her favorite city is Argos.
Ares
Ares is the son of Zeus and Hera. He was disliked by both parents. He is the god of war. He is considered murderous and bloodstained but, also a coward. When caught in an act of adultery with Aphrodite her husband Hephaestus is able publicly ridicule him. His bird is the vulture. His animal is the dog.
Athena
Athena is the daughter of Zeus. She sprang full grown in armor from his forehead, thus has no mother. She is fierce and brave in battle but, only fights to protect the state and home from outside enemies. She is the goddess of the city, handicrafts, and agriculture. She invented the bridle, which permitted man to tame horses, the trumpet, the flute, the pot, the rake, the plow, the yoke, the ship, and the chariot. She is the embodiment of wisdom, reason, and purity. She was Zeus's favorite child and was allowed to use his weapons including his thunderbolt. Her favorite city is Athens. Her tree is the olive. The owl is her bird. She is a virgin goddess.
Apollo
Apollo is the son of Zeus and Leto. His twin sister is Artemis . He is the god of music, playing a golden lyre. The Archer, far shooting with a silver bow. The god of healing who taught man medicine. The god of light. The god of truth, who can not speak a lie. One of Apollo's more important daily tasks is to harness his chariot with four horses an drive the Sun across the sky. He is famous for his oracle at Delphi. People traveled to it from all over the Greek world to divine the future. His tree was the laurel. The crow his bird. The dolphin his animal.
Aphrodite
Aphrodite is the goddess of love, desire and beauty. In addition to her natural gifts she has a magical girdle that compels anyone she wishes to desire her. There are two accounts of her birth. One says she is the daughter of Zeus and Dione. The other goes back to when Cronus castrated Uranus and tossed his severed genitals into the sea. Aphrodite then arose from the sea foam on a giant scallop and walked to shore in Cyprus. She is the wife of Hephaestus. The myrtle is her tree. The dove, the swan, and the sparrow her birds.
Hermes
Hermes is the son of Zeus and Maia. He is Zeus messenger. He is the fastest of the gods. He wears winged sandals, a winged hat, and carries a magic wand. He is the god of thieves and god of commerce. He is the guide for the dead to go to the underworld. He invented the lyre, the pipes, the musical scale, astronomy , weights and measures, boxing, gymnastics, and the care of olive trees.
Artemis
Artemis is the daughter of Zeus and Leto. Her twin brother is Apollo . She is the lady of the wild things. She is the huntsman of the gods. She is the protector of the young. Like Apollo she hunts with silver arrows. She became associated with the moon. She is a virgin goddess, and the goddess of chastity. She also presides over childbirth, which may seem odd for a virgin, but goes back to causing Leto no pain when she was born. She became associated with Hecate. The cypress is her tree. All wild animals are scared to her, especially the deer.
Hephaestus
Hephaestus is the son of Zeus and Hera. Sometimes it is said that Hera alone produced him and that he has no father. He is the only god to be physically ugly. He is also lame. Accounts as to how he became lame vary. Some say that Hera, upset by having an ugly child, flung him from Mount Olympus into the sea, breaking his legs. Others that he took Hera's side in an argument with Zeus and Zeus flung him off Mount Olympus. He is the god of fire and the forge. He is the smith and armorer of the gods. He uses a volcano as his forge. He is the patron god of both smiths and weavers. He is kind and peace loving. His wife is Aphrodite. Sometimes his wife is identified as Aglaia.
The Olympians
Description
Zeus
Zeus overthrew his Father Cronus. He then drew lots with his brothers Poseidon and Hades. Zeus won the draw and became the supreme ruler of the gods. He is lord of the sky, the rain god. His weapon is a thunderbolt which he hurls at those who displease him. He is married to Hera but, is famous for his many affairs. He is also known to punish those that lie or break oaths.
Poseidon
Poseidon is the brother of Zeus. After the overthrow of their Father Cronus he drew lots with Zeus and Hades, another brother, for shares of the world. His prize was to become lord of the sea. He was widely worshiped by seamen. He married Amphitrite, a granddaughter of the Titan Oceanus. At one point he desired Demeter. To put him off Demeter asked him to make the most beautiful animal that the world had ever seen. So to impress her Poseidon created the first horse. In some accounts his first attempts were unsuccessful and created a variety of other animals in his quest. By the time the horse was created his passion for Demeter had cooled. His weapon is a trident, which can shake the earth, and shatter any object. He is second only to Zeus in power amongst the gods. He has a difficult quarrelsome personality. He was greedy. He had a series of disputes with other gods when he tried to take over their cities.
Hades
Hades is the brother of Zeus. After the overthrow of their Father Cronus he drew lots with Zeus and Poseidon, another brother, for shares of the world. He had the worst draw and was made lord of the underworld, ruling over the dead. He is a greedy god who is greatly concerned with increasing his subjects. Those whose calling increase the number of dead are seen favorably. The Erinyes are welcomed guests. He is exceedingly disinclined to allow any of his subjects leave. He is also the god of wealth, due to the precious metals mined from the earth. He has a helmet that makes him invisible. He rarely leaves the underworld. He is unpitying and terrible, but not capricious. His wife is Persephone whom Hades abducted. He is the King of the dead but, death itself is another god, Thanatos.
Hestia
Hestia is Zeus sister. She is a virgin goddess. She does not have a distinct personality. She plays no part in myths. She is the Goddess of the Hearth, the symbol of the house around which a new born child is carried before it is received into the family. Each city had a public hearth sacred to Hestia, where the fire was never allowed to go out.
Hera
Hera is Zeus wife and sister. She was raised by the Titans Ocean and Tethys. She is the protector of marriage and takes special care of married women. Hera's marriage was founded in strife with Zeus and continued in strife. Zeus courted her unsuccessfully. He then turned to trickery, changing himself into disheveled cuckoo. Hera feeling sorry for the bird held it to her breast to warm it. Zeus then resumed his normal form and taking advantage of the surprise he gained, raped her. She then married him to cover her shame. Once when Zeus was being particularly overbearing to the other gods, Hera convinced them to join in a revolt. Her part in the revolt was to drug Zeus, and in this she was successful. The gods then bound the sleeping Zeus to a couch taking care to tie many knots. This done they began to quarrel over the next step. Briareus overheard the arguments. Still full of gratitude to Zeus, Briareus slipped in and was able to quickly untie the many knots. Zeus sprang from the couch and grabbed up his thunderbolt. The gods fell to their knees begging and pleading for mercy. He seized Hera and hung her from the sky with gold chains. She wept in pain all night but, none of the others dared to interfere. Her weeping kept Zeus up and the next morning he agreed to release her if she would swear never to rebel again. She had little choice but, to agree. While she never again rebelled, she often intrigued against Zeus's plans and she was often able to outwit him. Most stories concerning Hera have to do with her jealous revenge for Zeus's infidelities. Her sacred animals are the cow and the peacock. Her favorite city is Argos.
Ares
Ares is the son of Zeus and Hera. He was disliked by both parents. He is the god of war. He is considered murderous and bloodstained but, also a coward. When caught in an act of adultery with Aphrodite her husband Hephaestus is able publicly ridicule him. His bird is the vulture. His animal is the dog.
Athena
Athena is the daughter of Zeus. She sprang full grown in armor from his forehead, thus has no mother. She is fierce and brave in battle but, only fights to protect the state and home from outside enemies. She is the goddess of the city, handicrafts, and agriculture. She invented the bridle, which permitted man to tame horses, the trumpet, the flute, the pot, the rake, the plow, the yoke, the ship, and the chariot. She is the embodiment of wisdom, reason, and purity. She was Zeus's favorite child and was allowed to use his weapons including his thunderbolt. Her favorite city is Athens. Her tree is the olive. The owl is her bird. She is a virgin goddess.
Apollo
Apollo is the son of Zeus and Leto. His twin sister is Artemis . He is the god of music, playing a golden lyre. The Archer, far shooting with a silver bow. The god of healing who taught man medicine. The god of light. The god of truth, who can not speak a lie. One of Apollo's more important daily tasks is to harness his chariot with four horses an drive the Sun across the sky. He is famous for his oracle at Delphi. People traveled to it from all over the Greek world to divine the future. His tree was the laurel. The crow his bird. The dolphin his animal.
Aphrodite
Aphrodite is the goddess of love, desire and beauty. In addition to her natural gifts she has a magical girdle that compels anyone she wishes to desire her. There are two accounts of her birth. One says she is the daughter of Zeus and Dione. The other goes back to when Cronus castrated Uranus and tossed his severed genitals into the sea. Aphrodite then arose from the sea foam on a giant scallop and walked to shore in Cyprus. She is the wife of Hephaestus. The myrtle is her tree. The dove, the swan, and the sparrow her birds.
Hermes
Hermes is the son of Zeus and Maia. He is Zeus messenger. He is the fastest of the gods. He wears winged sandals, a winged hat, and carries a magic wand. He is the god of thieves and god of commerce. He is the guide for the dead to go to the underworld. He invented the lyre, the pipes, the musical scale, astronomy , weights and measures, boxing, gymnastics, and the care of olive trees.
Artemis
Artemis is the daughter of Zeus and Leto. Her twin brother is Apollo . She is the lady of the wild things. She is the huntsman of the gods. She is the protector of the young. Like Apollo she hunts with silver arrows. She became associated with the moon. She is a virgin goddess, and the goddess of chastity. She also presides over childbirth, which may seem odd for a virgin, but goes back to causing Leto no pain when she was born. She became associated with Hecate. The cypress is her tree. All wild animals are scared to her, especially the deer.
Hephaestus
Hephaestus is the son of Zeus and Hera. Sometimes it is said that Hera alone produced him and that he has no father. He is the only god to be physically ugly. He is also lame. Accounts as to how he became lame vary. Some say that Hera, upset by having an ugly child, flung him from Mount Olympus into the sea, breaking his legs. Others that he took Hera's side in an argument with Zeus and Zeus flung him off Mount Olympus. He is the god of fire and the forge. He is the smith and armorer of the gods. He uses a volcano as his forge. He is the patron god of both smiths and weavers. He is kind and peace loving. His wife is Aphrodite. Sometimes his wife is identified as Aglaia.
Oedipus Part 1 Notes
Day 1:
- O. asks why ppl. Approach
~ Sees death/illness in city
~ comes in person for reports
~ offers aid
- Priest reports
~ ppl. pray for aid from Gods
o claims city is dying
o crops, cattle, still births
o massive plague
~ asks O. as “best of men”
~ notes prior favor from Gods w/Sphinx
~ begs
- O. reaction
~ he's most ill due to responsibility
~ Creon (bro-in-law) was sent to Oracle of Apollo
~ advice must be followed
- Creon informs O. & crowd
~ Of Apollo: must rid country of someone who poisons it
Ø Banishment or execution to repay murder of KL
~ Of King Laius: killed while traveling to oracle
Ø 1 guard escaped & told of robbers
~ ppl. had to focus on Sphinx
- O’s plan
~ he will discover truth
~ action (he thinks) will benefit him & Laius (dr. irony)
~ calls for ppl.
- Chorus (stand for ppl of Thebes)
~ prayer & praise to Zeus, Apollo, Athena, Artemis, Dionysus
~ thanks for news
~ questions atonement
~ explains problem
~ pray for aid
Day 2:
- O. addresses crowd
~ if ppl accept plan – cure will come
Ø claims no connection (DI)
~ orders any w/knowledge speak
Ø murderer will only be exiled
Ø offer of $ & gratitude for help
Ø curse on any who knowingly harbor (incl. himself)
Ø speaks of his ties to Laius (DI)
- Ch. notes Tiresias (T) – a blind prophet as good source (done)
~ restated rumors of robbers
- O asks T to tell all he knows
~ T won’t – too dreadful
Ø O threatens & accuses him as murderer
~ T blames O of murder & life of sin
Ø O is amazed & thinks C is in on it
Ø points 2 inaction w/Sphinx
- Ch. warns to avoid anger and discover the truth
Day 3:
- T speaks
~claims O is blind
~foretells O’s doom when truth comes out
'O sends him away
~references his parent’s trust
~final attempt @ his message
- Chorus
~confused by claims
~resist blaming O. until proof est.
- Cr arrives to meet charges (Ch. blames anger)
~O accuses him as traitor – b/c T hadn’t come forward earlier
~Cr points to his power w/o problems to show no need to overthrow
'offers life if lying
'suggests time will reveal truth
Day 4:
- Ch warns of impulsiveness
~O won’t listen and charges death for Cr
- Jocasta (O’s wife) comes to break fight
~men continue, but Cr swears truth
~O gives into wants of Ch
- O explains his view reg. T
~J explains fallibility of prophets
~sites Laius’ fate – not killed by son, but by robbers where 3 roads meet
~she sent son to die from exposure
- advises to truth Gods, not men
- O’s memory sparked by location
~timing upsets him (just b4 he arrived)
~J describes 5-man guard & O gets worse
~1 survivor begged to be assigned out of city as shepherd & was
Day 5:
- O wants witness called – J wants explanation
- O was prince of Corinth (diff. city)
~drunk claimed he wasn’t true son
~O asked Apollo @ Delphi
'was told he’d kill father & wed mother
~ran from home
~while on road fought rude man (killed him & his men)
'now believes he is the poison
'still doesn’t get full extent (can’t return to Corinth)
- Ch takes comfort in witness
~chance he’s wrong due to claim of robbers
- J fights prophesy in O not being son
- Ch questions the situation and power of Gods in face of broken prophesy
- J comes w/offerings 4 Apollo to clear O
- Corinthian Messenger reports death of Polybus
~J sees hope for O
- O. asks why ppl. Approach
~ Sees death/illness in city
~ comes in person for reports
~ offers aid
- Priest reports
~ ppl. pray for aid from Gods
o claims city is dying
o crops, cattle, still births
o massive plague
~ asks O. as “best of men”
~ notes prior favor from Gods w/Sphinx
~ begs
- O. reaction
~ he's most ill due to responsibility
~ Creon (bro-in-law) was sent to Oracle of Apollo
~ advice must be followed
- Creon informs O. & crowd
~ Of Apollo: must rid country of someone who poisons it
Ø Banishment or execution to repay murder of KL
~ Of King Laius: killed while traveling to oracle
Ø 1 guard escaped & told of robbers
~ ppl. had to focus on Sphinx
- O’s plan
~ he will discover truth
~ action (he thinks) will benefit him & Laius (dr. irony)
~ calls for ppl.
- Chorus (stand for ppl of Thebes)
~ prayer & praise to Zeus, Apollo, Athena, Artemis, Dionysus
~ thanks for news
~ questions atonement
~ explains problem
~ pray for aid
Day 2:
- O. addresses crowd
~ if ppl accept plan – cure will come
Ø claims no connection (DI)
~ orders any w/knowledge speak
Ø murderer will only be exiled
Ø offer of $ & gratitude for help
Ø curse on any who knowingly harbor (incl. himself)
Ø speaks of his ties to Laius (DI)
- Ch. notes Tiresias (T) – a blind prophet as good source (done)
~ restated rumors of robbers
- O asks T to tell all he knows
~ T won’t – too dreadful
Ø O threatens & accuses him as murderer
~ T blames O of murder & life of sin
Ø O is amazed & thinks C is in on it
Ø points 2 inaction w/Sphinx
- Ch. warns to avoid anger and discover the truth
Day 3:
- T speaks
~claims O is blind
~foretells O’s doom when truth comes out
'O sends him away
~references his parent’s trust
~final attempt @ his message
- Chorus
~confused by claims
~resist blaming O. until proof est.
- Cr arrives to meet charges (Ch. blames anger)
~O accuses him as traitor – b/c T hadn’t come forward earlier
~Cr points to his power w/o problems to show no need to overthrow
'offers life if lying
'suggests time will reveal truth
Day 4:
- Ch warns of impulsiveness
~O won’t listen and charges death for Cr
- Jocasta (O’s wife) comes to break fight
~men continue, but Cr swears truth
~O gives into wants of Ch
- O explains his view reg. T
~J explains fallibility of prophets
~sites Laius’ fate – not killed by son, but by robbers where 3 roads meet
~she sent son to die from exposure
- advises to truth Gods, not men
- O’s memory sparked by location
~timing upsets him (just b4 he arrived)
~J describes 5-man guard & O gets worse
~1 survivor begged to be assigned out of city as shepherd & was
Day 5:
- O wants witness called – J wants explanation
- O was prince of Corinth (diff. city)
~drunk claimed he wasn’t true son
~O asked Apollo @ Delphi
'was told he’d kill father & wed mother
~ran from home
~while on road fought rude man (killed him & his men)
'now believes he is the poison
'still doesn’t get full extent (can’t return to Corinth)
- Ch takes comfort in witness
~chance he’s wrong due to claim of robbers
- J fights prophesy in O not being son
- Ch questions the situation and power of Gods in face of broken prophesy
- J comes w/offerings 4 Apollo to clear O
- Corinthian Messenger reports death of Polybus
~J sees hope for O
Oedipus Part 1 Review
Gods, Goddesses: know what they’re in charge of
Victims –
know what they did, how they were punished and what the end results were
Zeus
Semele
Poseidon
Niobe
Hera
Hades
Echo
Epimetheus
Dionysus
Demeter
Artemis
Ares
Arachne
Apollo
Aphrodite
People of the Play: Understand who they are, what they’re like and the role they’ve played
thus far in the action.
Oedipus
Creon
Jocasta
Teiresias
Chorus
Corinthian Messenger
Important Details:
Prior problem in Thebes
Why there is a plague in Thebes
The reported details of the
death of Laius
Justification for Creon’s
guilt & his innocence
The prophesied details of the
death of Laius – and the current interpretation
Oedipus’ prophesy
Impact of the death of
Polybus
Important Concepts:
Dilemma
Hubris (both meanings)
Hammartia
Guilt
Blindness
Religious Faith
Civic Duty
Quotations: Be able to provide (a) who said the
quote & to whom, (b) What is actually being said/referred to (what the
speaker is trying to get across), and (c) Explain what the quote means in terms
of the character, plot development, and/or overall themes.
1.
Believe me, I know all that you desire of me, all that
you suffer; and while you suffer, none suffers more than I.
(page 27)
2.
No matter who he may be, he is forbidden shelter or
intercourse with any man in all this country over which I rule; from fellowship
of prayer or sacrifice or lustral rite is excommunicated; expelled from every house, unclean, accursed. (page 32)
3.
To a land of exile; brother, as it shall be shown, and
father at once, to the children he cherishes; son, and husband, to the woman
who bore him; father killer, and father supplanter. (page 38)
4.
Enough for me to live a kingly life. What more could any moderate man desire? I have your ear for all my fair requests;
but, in your place, I should have much to do that irked me. How could kingship please me more than
royalty and rule without regret. (page 42)
5.
Farewell, Abean and Olympian alter; farewell, O Heart
of Earth, inviolate shrine,
If at this time your omens fail or falter, and
man no longer own your voice divine. (page 50)
**Practice** To thee bright shining
Apollo, who art nearest to my door, is my first prayer. Save us from the curse of this uncleanness,
save! (page 50)
Oedipus Part 2 Notes
Day 6:
- O. receives news of dad’s natural death
~relieved, but fears marrying mom
- Messenger confused – told prophesy, but not moved by it ~reveals Polybus wasn’t his father O was received on Mt. Cithaeron
feet pinned & was given to childless king Believes servant of Laius gave it – same as eyewitness - J. is defensive when questioned ~pleads O give up search - O won’t budge
Day 7:
- J. understands – runs into palace
- O thinks she’s ashamed of his past
- Ch. echoes current ?’s – wonders if he’s from the gods themselves
- Shepherd arrives & admits his ties to Laius
- CMess. recognizes him and asks of child
o Shep. tries to avoid, but finally admits to involvement
o Shep. tells that J was source of child due to fears of prophesy
- Ch is pained by the truth & great fall of O
- Messenger brings worse news – voluntary pain
o J. killed herself in fury (hanged)
o while holding body – O. blinded himself w/her pins
Day 8:
- O. tries to banish himself, but needs help
o O. blames Apollo for fortune, not eyes
o he & Chorus wish he had died (Sphinx is forgotten)
o O. explains he can no longer bear to see
- Creon arrives
o O is ashamed of prior accusations
o Creon shows fairness – wants private pain
o O asks 4 immediate banishment – Creon wants to wait
- O’s requests
o J gets buried
o will go to Cithaeron to await death
o Creon must take care of daughters, but allow last touch
- O apologizes for girls’ future & again begs for pity on them
- O wont wait for Apollo, but pains letting kids go
- Chorus warns not to count happiness until end of life
- O. receives news of dad’s natural death
~relieved, but fears marrying mom
- Messenger confused – told prophesy, but not moved by it ~reveals Polybus wasn’t his father O was received on Mt. Cithaeron
feet pinned & was given to childless king Believes servant of Laius gave it – same as eyewitness - J. is defensive when questioned ~pleads O give up search - O won’t budge
Day 7:
- J. understands – runs into palace
- O thinks she’s ashamed of his past
- Ch. echoes current ?’s – wonders if he’s from the gods themselves
- Shepherd arrives & admits his ties to Laius
- CMess. recognizes him and asks of child
o Shep. tries to avoid, but finally admits to involvement
o Shep. tells that J was source of child due to fears of prophesy
- Ch is pained by the truth & great fall of O
- Messenger brings worse news – voluntary pain
o J. killed herself in fury (hanged)
o while holding body – O. blinded himself w/her pins
Day 8:
- O. tries to banish himself, but needs help
o O. blames Apollo for fortune, not eyes
o he & Chorus wish he had died (Sphinx is forgotten)
o O. explains he can no longer bear to see
- Creon arrives
o O is ashamed of prior accusations
o Creon shows fairness – wants private pain
o O asks 4 immediate banishment – Creon wants to wait
- O’s requests
o J gets buried
o will go to Cithaeron to await death
o Creon must take care of daughters, but allow last touch
- O apologizes for girls’ future & again begs for pity on them
- O wont wait for Apollo, but pains letting kids go
- Chorus warns not to count happiness until end of life
Oedipus Part 2 Review
There will be no matching or typical low point questions on this test. It will be a series of short answer, the quotes provided, and a paragraph that you may prepare for.
IMPORTANT EVENTS:
▫ News from Corinthian messenger & how it saves and condemns Oedipus
▫ The shift in the Chorus and their feelings for Oedipus from before to after they learn the truth
▫ The suitability of the ends for both Jocasta and Oedipus.
▫ Oedipus’ motive for blinding himself – punishment or avoidance?
▫ Creon’s choice to show kindness to Oedipus and possible motives for it
▫ People who try to do the right thing and end up contributing to evil – what they hope to do versus how it ends up
IMPORTANT QUOTATIONS:
Know (a) who spoke the line (b) the CIRCUMSTANCES of what is being said and (c) the impact regarding the play AS A WHOLE!!!
Fear? What has a man to do with fear? Chance rules our lives, and the future is all unknown. Best live as best we may from day to day. Nor need this mother-marrying frighten you; many a man has dreamt as much Such things must be forgotten. (page 52)
In God’s name - if you want to live, this must not go on. Have I not suffered enough? (page 55)
It was... a child of Laius’ house... your lady could tell the truth of it. (page 58)
Apollo, friends, Apollo, has laid his agony upon me; not by his hand; I did it. What should I do with eyes where all is ugliness? (page 62-3)
Be sure it would have been done without delay, but that I await instruction from the god. (page 65)
Learn that mortal man must always look to his ending, and none can be called happy until that day when he carries his happiness down to the grave in peace. (page 68)
***PRACTICE Not all the waters of Ister, the waters of Phasis, can wash this dwelling clean of the foulness within, clean of the deliberate acts that soon shall be known, of all horrible acts most horrible, willfully chosen. (59)
PARAGRAPH TOPIC:
Tiresias claims that Oedipus is the city’s enemy, while the people regard him as their hero. By the end of the play, which is Oedipus?
Approaches to test paragraphs/essays:
Make sure that there is a topic sentence that frames your argument.
Make sure if you are asked to choose a side that you stick to ONE option even if two are possible.
Make sure that you use at least three points to support your topic sentence.
Make sure that you use events, etc from the texts that specifically support your answer.
Make sure your answer is 10-12 well organized sentences.
Make sure that you reread paragraph to ensure you make sense and prove your side.
You will lose points for any of the following –
Writing that cannot be read, having less than three areas of support, using irrelevant support, Confusing/Poor organization, having an unclear perspective, having usage/mechanics errors that detract from your meaning.
IMPORTANT EVENTS:
▫ News from Corinthian messenger & how it saves and condemns Oedipus
▫ The shift in the Chorus and their feelings for Oedipus from before to after they learn the truth
▫ The suitability of the ends for both Jocasta and Oedipus.
▫ Oedipus’ motive for blinding himself – punishment or avoidance?
▫ Creon’s choice to show kindness to Oedipus and possible motives for it
▫ People who try to do the right thing and end up contributing to evil – what they hope to do versus how it ends up
IMPORTANT QUOTATIONS:
Know (a) who spoke the line (b) the CIRCUMSTANCES of what is being said and (c) the impact regarding the play AS A WHOLE!!!
Fear? What has a man to do with fear? Chance rules our lives, and the future is all unknown. Best live as best we may from day to day. Nor need this mother-marrying frighten you; many a man has dreamt as much Such things must be forgotten. (page 52)
In God’s name - if you want to live, this must not go on. Have I not suffered enough? (page 55)
It was... a child of Laius’ house... your lady could tell the truth of it. (page 58)
Apollo, friends, Apollo, has laid his agony upon me; not by his hand; I did it. What should I do with eyes where all is ugliness? (page 62-3)
Be sure it would have been done without delay, but that I await instruction from the god. (page 65)
Learn that mortal man must always look to his ending, and none can be called happy until that day when he carries his happiness down to the grave in peace. (page 68)
***PRACTICE Not all the waters of Ister, the waters of Phasis, can wash this dwelling clean of the foulness within, clean of the deliberate acts that soon shall be known, of all horrible acts most horrible, willfully chosen. (59)
PARAGRAPH TOPIC:
Tiresias claims that Oedipus is the city’s enemy, while the people regard him as their hero. By the end of the play, which is Oedipus?
Approaches to test paragraphs/essays:
Make sure that there is a topic sentence that frames your argument.
Make sure if you are asked to choose a side that you stick to ONE option even if two are possible.
Make sure that you use at least three points to support your topic sentence.
Make sure that you use events, etc from the texts that specifically support your answer.
Make sure your answer is 10-12 well organized sentences.
Make sure that you reread paragraph to ensure you make sense and prove your side.
You will lose points for any of the following –
Writing that cannot be read, having less than three areas of support, using irrelevant support, Confusing/Poor organization, having an unclear perspective, having usage/mechanics errors that detract from your meaning.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Oedipus at Colonus Summary
Summary –
Blind, old Oedipus, a former king of Thebes, wanders for many years guided by his daughter, Antigone. Although once successful as a ruler, he was exiled after the gods sent sickness to the city because Oedipus had killed his father Laius, the prior king, and he committed incest with his mother, Jocasta, after becoming king of Thebes. Now he and Antigone end their journey in a grove near the Greek city-state of Athens at a place called Colonus. There, Oedipus offends the Eumenides -- goddesses of the underworld (for entering sacred land) -- and he must make offerings to avoid punishment (which he later does – reconnecting him with the Gods). His youngest daughter, Ismene, joins them at Colonus, bearing news from Thebes that Oedipus' sons -- each claiming the right to the throne of Thebes -- prepared to go to war. Eteocles, the younger son, supported by Creon, took over the throne. He and his brother Polynices were supposed to share it six months at a time. Once in power, he did not wish to give it up. Polynices was exiled by his brother and went to Argos where he married the princess and gathered an army there to attack Thebes and take the throne. Interest was awakened in the former king when it was learned that a prophecy promised victory in battle to the city in which Oedipus was buried. Suddently, the aged pariah became of great value to any city which proved his final resting place. Oedipus is stunned to hear this, but Ismene also reveals the oracle's prediction that the each of the sons will soon seek Oedipus' support to win the battle for the throne. Disgusted, he refuses to help either of them because Theban citizens had treated him so poorly before.
He asks for the help of Theseus, King of Athens, to protect him and his daughters, and the wise king agrees. Later, Creon, Jocasta's brother, finds Oedipus at Colonus and kidnaps Antigone to force Oedipus to return to Thebes, so that the younger Eteocles can win the war. Thankfully, Theseus comes to the rescue by retrieving the two girls and sending Creon back to Thebes empty-handed. Next, the exiled older son Polyneices comes seeking Oedipus' support, yet the old man is angered at his son's request and condemns both of his sons to death because they are so selfish. Polynices admitted to Oedipus that he should have remained by his father's side, but Oedipus was unforgiving. He foresaw that the brothers would slay themselves in battle. Polynices knew that he would die in battle, but decided to fight anyway -- as an example to his supporters. Antigone vowed to see that his body would receive a proper burial.
After praising the Athenians for their kindness, thunder in the sky summons Oedipus into the wilderness to die. Accompanied by his children and King Theseus, he walks off toward death, declaring that Athens will forever be protected by the gods as long as Theseus does not reveal the location of his grave to anyone. Evidently, it was a victorious and exalted exit for one who had lived such a life of suffering.
Oedipus thus dies after a long life filled with suffering that is cured only by forgiveness and acknowledging the supremacy of the gods. Because of his return to faith, he is absolved from the crimes he committed so many years before. After their father's death, Antigone and Ismene return to Thebes, hoping to prevent the deaths of their two brothers that Oedipus had predicted.
Assisted by six chieftains, Polynices attempted to invade Thebes. The seven men led attacks against each of the seven gates of Thebes; Eteocles defended the gate attacked by Polynices. The two brothers, as Oedipus predicted, died at each other's hands. Then, the Theban army finally beat back the attack.
Creon, now once more undisputed master of the city, and resolved to make an example of the invader, ordered that while Eteocles (defender of Thebes) received all honors in burial, Polynices (the invader) would be shamefully left unburied where he fell and not mourned. Penalty of death was announced against any who would defy this order; and the voices of the city were silent (either due to fear or to consent)
Overall, the story of Oedipus at Colonus is about opposites: how a good ruler should behave compared to a poor ruler, how a good city should be compared to a bad city, and how the gods should be worshipped compared to how they should not. After leaving these negatives behind while seeing the fine example of Athens as a model city, Oedipus finally discovers inner peace. However, the suffering of his children shall only continue as the daughters try to stop their brothers' unsuccessful battle for the Theban throne.
CLASSWORK:
REACT TO THIS INFORMATION – HOW HAVE THE CHARACTERS HERE CHANGED? WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS FOR THE CITY OF THEBES WITHIN THIS STORY AND SET UP FOR THE NEXT ONE.
***ONE SIDE OF ONE PAGE REACTION***
Blind, old Oedipus, a former king of Thebes, wanders for many years guided by his daughter, Antigone. Although once successful as a ruler, he was exiled after the gods sent sickness to the city because Oedipus had killed his father Laius, the prior king, and he committed incest with his mother, Jocasta, after becoming king of Thebes. Now he and Antigone end their journey in a grove near the Greek city-state of Athens at a place called Colonus. There, Oedipus offends the Eumenides -- goddesses of the underworld (for entering sacred land) -- and he must make offerings to avoid punishment (which he later does – reconnecting him with the Gods). His youngest daughter, Ismene, joins them at Colonus, bearing news from Thebes that Oedipus' sons -- each claiming the right to the throne of Thebes -- prepared to go to war. Eteocles, the younger son, supported by Creon, took over the throne. He and his brother Polynices were supposed to share it six months at a time. Once in power, he did not wish to give it up. Polynices was exiled by his brother and went to Argos where he married the princess and gathered an army there to attack Thebes and take the throne. Interest was awakened in the former king when it was learned that a prophecy promised victory in battle to the city in which Oedipus was buried. Suddently, the aged pariah became of great value to any city which proved his final resting place. Oedipus is stunned to hear this, but Ismene also reveals the oracle's prediction that the each of the sons will soon seek Oedipus' support to win the battle for the throne. Disgusted, he refuses to help either of them because Theban citizens had treated him so poorly before.
He asks for the help of Theseus, King of Athens, to protect him and his daughters, and the wise king agrees. Later, Creon, Jocasta's brother, finds Oedipus at Colonus and kidnaps Antigone to force Oedipus to return to Thebes, so that the younger Eteocles can win the war. Thankfully, Theseus comes to the rescue by retrieving the two girls and sending Creon back to Thebes empty-handed. Next, the exiled older son Polyneices comes seeking Oedipus' support, yet the old man is angered at his son's request and condemns both of his sons to death because they are so selfish. Polynices admitted to Oedipus that he should have remained by his father's side, but Oedipus was unforgiving. He foresaw that the brothers would slay themselves in battle. Polynices knew that he would die in battle, but decided to fight anyway -- as an example to his supporters. Antigone vowed to see that his body would receive a proper burial.
After praising the Athenians for their kindness, thunder in the sky summons Oedipus into the wilderness to die. Accompanied by his children and King Theseus, he walks off toward death, declaring that Athens will forever be protected by the gods as long as Theseus does not reveal the location of his grave to anyone. Evidently, it was a victorious and exalted exit for one who had lived such a life of suffering.
Oedipus thus dies after a long life filled with suffering that is cured only by forgiveness and acknowledging the supremacy of the gods. Because of his return to faith, he is absolved from the crimes he committed so many years before. After their father's death, Antigone and Ismene return to Thebes, hoping to prevent the deaths of their two brothers that Oedipus had predicted.
Assisted by six chieftains, Polynices attempted to invade Thebes. The seven men led attacks against each of the seven gates of Thebes; Eteocles defended the gate attacked by Polynices. The two brothers, as Oedipus predicted, died at each other's hands. Then, the Theban army finally beat back the attack.
Creon, now once more undisputed master of the city, and resolved to make an example of the invader, ordered that while Eteocles (defender of Thebes) received all honors in burial, Polynices (the invader) would be shamefully left unburied where he fell and not mourned. Penalty of death was announced against any who would defy this order; and the voices of the city were silent (either due to fear or to consent)
Overall, the story of Oedipus at Colonus is about opposites: how a good ruler should behave compared to a poor ruler, how a good city should be compared to a bad city, and how the gods should be worshipped compared to how they should not. After leaving these negatives behind while seeing the fine example of Athens as a model city, Oedipus finally discovers inner peace. However, the suffering of his children shall only continue as the daughters try to stop their brothers' unsuccessful battle for the Theban throne.
CLASSWORK:
REACT TO THIS INFORMATION – HOW HAVE THE CHARACTERS HERE CHANGED? WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS FOR THE CITY OF THEBES WITHIN THIS STORY AND SET UP FOR THE NEXT ONE.
***ONE SIDE OF ONE PAGE REACTION***
Antigone Notes
Day 1:
- Antigone (A) and Ismene (I) frame dilemma
- A frames family history
- I informs aud. of battle w/Argive army
- A adds new issue
~Creon discriminates btwn brothers
▫Eteocles gets full honors
▫Polynices can’t be buried
▫punishment of breach is death
- A & I split on dilemma answer (foils? - a character whose situation mirrors the main character’s, but who makes a different decision)
~I feels she must obey Creon’s law
▫cites father history: mother’s suicide, bro’s killing each other – only they remain in fam.
▫as women, they should obey
~A driven to bury (won’t force I)
▫it's a crime God commands
▫rather have peace in afterlife
- I offers secrecy – told it’s not needed
- A is angered by I’s negativity reg. her success
~rather die for good cause
- Chorus summarizes
~Argos attacked (w/P) – Thebes won
~bro's killed e/o in combat
~yearn to celebrate
- Creon resumed power & explains choices
~reiterates decree
~must warn against traitors
~isn’t fair to treat bros the same due to actions
- Chorus is unsure
- Guard brings news of burial & claims no involvement
~Cr. thinks he’s in it 4 $
~Ch. wonders of Gods’ ties
▫Cr. fights idea
- Guard sent away
Day 2:
- Ch. reacts
~lists gifts of man
~notes moral variance
~both God & gov’t laws must be followed
~recognizes A caught
- guards uncovered body – A caught redoing
~A admits 2 it
A& Cr make their points:
- Antigone
- can’t overrule divine
- she’ll die anyway
- ppl agree w/her & bow to him
- manner of death doesn’t change burial law
- Creon
- power is threatened (m/f issue)
- includes I in charge
- she should be ashamed
- she’s disloyal to Eteocles
- I claims a part
~doesn't want 2 live w/o A
~wants 2 help A
~claims she had internal struggle
- A won’t give in
- A was to marry Haemon (Cr’s son)
~Cr won’t give in or take responsibility 4 ending it
- Ch. comments on Oed fam. curse
~no escape from God’s wrath
~questions H’s feelings
Day 3:
- H will support dad if policies are just
- C is proud, but justifies
~ppl are watching
~can’t let anyone (esp. fam.) get away (or trend starts)
~can’t give in to women
- H takes other side
~notes good sense
~ppl feel for A – seen as noble
~as ruler – be flexible & learn from others
- C – insulted/feels defied
~stuck on identity
▫his age vs. H’s
▫absolute authority (misses role of nation)
▫won’t bend to God’s authority
▫can’t get past A as woman
- C will make H watch her death
~H claims he won’t get the chance – runs
- C orders her buried in trench w/food
- Ch. sees love dividing fam.
- A plays drama as victim
~Ch. sees her hammartia, but connects w/dad’s sins
▫even if respected, must be punished
~ A can’t see her wrong
▫virtue repaid by God w/malice
▫hopes if C’s wrong – he suffers more
- Ch. notes she isn’t alone – sites historical proof
Day 4:
- Tiresias comes w/warnings
~reads evil in signs & polluted sacrifices
▫blames decree (attempt to persecute dead)
- C thinks T was bribed
- T echoes H w/mention of good sense
~reluctantly warns of future
▫1 child will die
▫furies will repay for “sins”
- Ch. knows his accuracy
- C now faces dilemma from his fear
~changing mind he’s est.
~staying strong could mean doom
- C asks Ch’s advice & gives in
- C goes to bury
- Ch. calls to Bacchus for aid
- Mess. brings news (Eurydice listens)
~C fixed body
~went for A
~A found hanged – H crying
~during scuffle – H stabs himself (Eu. Runs out)
- C takes responsibility
- Eurydice stabbed self – blamed all on C
- C asks for death, but takes no action
~can't die – must bury new bodies
- Ch. warns against violation of God’s law
- Antigone (A) and Ismene (I) frame dilemma
- A frames family history
- I informs aud. of battle w/Argive army
- A adds new issue
~Creon discriminates btwn brothers
▫Eteocles gets full honors
▫Polynices can’t be buried
▫punishment of breach is death
- A & I split on dilemma answer (foils? - a character whose situation mirrors the main character’s, but who makes a different decision)
~I feels she must obey Creon’s law
▫cites father history: mother’s suicide, bro’s killing each other – only they remain in fam.
▫as women, they should obey
~A driven to bury (won’t force I)
▫it's a crime God commands
▫rather have peace in afterlife
- I offers secrecy – told it’s not needed
- A is angered by I’s negativity reg. her success
~rather die for good cause
- Chorus summarizes
~Argos attacked (w/P) – Thebes won
~bro's killed e/o in combat
~yearn to celebrate
- Creon resumed power & explains choices
~reiterates decree
~must warn against traitors
~isn’t fair to treat bros the same due to actions
- Chorus is unsure
- Guard brings news of burial & claims no involvement
~Cr. thinks he’s in it 4 $
~Ch. wonders of Gods’ ties
▫Cr. fights idea
- Guard sent away
Day 2:
- Ch. reacts
~lists gifts of man
~notes moral variance
~both God & gov’t laws must be followed
~recognizes A caught
- guards uncovered body – A caught redoing
~A admits 2 it
A& Cr make their points:
- Antigone
- can’t overrule divine
- she’ll die anyway
- ppl agree w/her & bow to him
- manner of death doesn’t change burial law
- Creon
- power is threatened (m/f issue)
- includes I in charge
- she should be ashamed
- she’s disloyal to Eteocles
- I claims a part
~doesn't want 2 live w/o A
~wants 2 help A
~claims she had internal struggle
- A won’t give in
- A was to marry Haemon (Cr’s son)
~Cr won’t give in or take responsibility 4 ending it
- Ch. comments on Oed fam. curse
~no escape from God’s wrath
~questions H’s feelings
Day 3:
- H will support dad if policies are just
- C is proud, but justifies
~ppl are watching
~can’t let anyone (esp. fam.) get away (or trend starts)
~can’t give in to women
- H takes other side
~notes good sense
~ppl feel for A – seen as noble
~as ruler – be flexible & learn from others
- C – insulted/feels defied
~stuck on identity
▫his age vs. H’s
▫absolute authority (misses role of nation)
▫won’t bend to God’s authority
▫can’t get past A as woman
- C will make H watch her death
~H claims he won’t get the chance – runs
- C orders her buried in trench w/food
- Ch. sees love dividing fam.
- A plays drama as victim
~Ch. sees her hammartia, but connects w/dad’s sins
▫even if respected, must be punished
~ A can’t see her wrong
▫virtue repaid by God w/malice
▫hopes if C’s wrong – he suffers more
- Ch. notes she isn’t alone – sites historical proof
Day 4:
- Tiresias comes w/warnings
~reads evil in signs & polluted sacrifices
▫blames decree (attempt to persecute dead)
- C thinks T was bribed
- T echoes H w/mention of good sense
~reluctantly warns of future
▫1 child will die
▫furies will repay for “sins”
- Ch. knows his accuracy
- C now faces dilemma from his fear
~changing mind he’s est.
~staying strong could mean doom
- C asks Ch’s advice & gives in
- C goes to bury
- Ch. calls to Bacchus for aid
- Mess. brings news (Eurydice listens)
~C fixed body
~went for A
~A found hanged – H crying
~during scuffle – H stabs himself (Eu. Runs out)
- C takes responsibility
- Eurydice stabbed self – blamed all on C
- C asks for death, but takes no action
~can't die – must bury new bodies
- Ch. warns against violation of God’s law
Antigone Review
Antigone Review
People to know: (10)
Antigone Haemon
Creon Ismene
Eteocles Oedipus
Eurydice Polynices
Sentry Teiresias
Important Concepts (don’t forget the themes too!):
Anagnorisis
Bravado
Civic Duty
Dilemma
Familial duty
Foil
Hammartia
Hubris
Martyr
Misogyny/gender bias
Pathos
Qualities of a tragic hero
Secular vs. Religious law
Stoic
Titular hero(the hero in the title)
Important Events & Ideas: (25)
Antigone & Ismene’s dilemma and answers (know how they’re foils)
The Sentry’s decision process & how he differs from the rest of the characters
Antigone’s burial of Polynices and reasons for it (both provided and from last play)
Ismene’s motives for coming forward & Antigone’s reasons to shun her
Antigone’s death sentence, how and why it changes
Teiresias reveal of consequences from Polynices
Creon’s chance/loss of chance to change things – prophesy/curse on him
The Chorus and Creon’s regard for them/their opinions throughout the play
Important Quotations: (50)
Know (a) who spoke the line (b) the CIRCUMSTANCES of what is being said and what is said (c) the significance in terms of character, plot or theme development, reasoning for it AND FURTHER SUPPORT TO ANOTHER MOMENT from this play or another we’ve read.
Practice:
Though on earth her life is ended from this day, her blood will not be on our hands. (150) ***
I am your son, sir; by your wise decisions my life is ruled, and them I shall always obey. (143)***
If this is God’s will, I shall learn my lesson in death; but if my enemies are wrong, I wish them no worse punishment than mine. (150)
For Test:
That order did not come from God. Justice that dwells with the gods below knows no such law. I did not think your edicts strong enough to overrule the unwritten unalterable laws of God and heaven, you being only a man. They are not of yesterday or today, but everlasting, though where they came from, none of us can tell ... I knew I would have to die, of course, with or without your order. (138)
I hold to the law, and will never betray it – least of all for a woman better be beaten, if need be, by a man, than let a woman get the better of us. (144)
I hear whispers spoken in the dark; on every side I hear voices of pity for this poor girl, doomed to the cruelest death and most unjust, that ever woman suffered for an honorable action ... such is the secret talk about the town ... good as it is to have infallible wisdom, since this is rarely found, the next best thing is to be willing to listen to wise advice. (145)
O lordly sons of my city! O Thebes
I read the signs of failure in my quest. And why? The blight upon us is your doing. The blood that stains our alters and our shrines, the blood that dogs and vultures have licked up, it is none other than the blood of Oedipus spilled from the veins of his ill-fated son.. (152)
Behold the slayer, the slain the father, the son. O the curse of my stubborn will! … Cut off in the newness of youth, dead for my fault, not yours. (160)
Paragraph: (25)
Although Antigone’s death is sad, Creon fits the bill better as the tragic hero. Explain in a well written paragraph how he is the true tragic hero based on the criteria we have discussed.
Tragic Traits:
o Born into nobility
o Responsible for their own fate
o Doomed to make a serious error in judgment (hammartia/dilemma)
o fall from great heights or high esteem
o realize that they have made a terrible mistake (anagnorisis)
o face and accept death with honor
o meet a tragic end
o cause the audience to be affected by pity and/or fear (pathos)
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