Reading the Greek Drama

The Greek Tragedy

Now that you have reviewed drama elements and drama analysis, you are ready to begin reading a Greek Tragedy. For this module, you will have the option of choosing one of the following Greek Tragedies to read:

• Oedipus  by Sophocles
• Antigone  by Sophocles

Let's remember the some characteristics of Greek Tragedies:

Sophocles

Sophocles is one of three Greek authors whose tragedies survived over the years. He was born in 497 B.C. and died in 406 B.C. at the age of 90. He developed the drama by adding a third actor and reducing the great need to include a chorus to help advance the plot. Sophocles also added depth to his characters more so than previous playwrights. Oedipus,  written around 429 B.C., and Antigone,  written in or before 441 B.C., are two of Sophocles' most famous plays. Use the information below to help you choose one of the play options (Oedipus  or Antigone)  and begin reading.

Oedipus (429 B.C.) by Sophocles

When Oedipus was first born, his father, Laius the King of Thebes, received a prophecy that his son would one day kill him. The king ordered the infant be staked through the foot in the wilderness. However, the servant charged with the act couldn't bring himself to abandon the child; he gave the baby to a shepherd who brought him to the king and queen of Corinth. The rulers adopted the child and raised him as their own. One day he received the same prophecy as Laius. Believing his father was the king of Corinth, he left the city to prevent the prophecy from coming about.

On his way out of the city, he encountered a group of men at a crossroads and he quarreled with the passenger of a coach and ended up killing him. When he reached Thebes, he found that the city was oppressed by the Sphinx, who would not leave until her riddle was answered. Oedipus, being clever, answered it correctly, sent the Sphinx plunging to her death, and became the ruler of Thebes. To consolidate power, he married Jocasta, the widow of the late King Laius.

Through speaking with his wife, Jocasta, the widow of the last king, and other citizens, Oedipus's tragic fate emerges. He is, in fact the son of Laius, and despite his best efforts, has killed his father and married his mother.

Once all is revealed, Jocasta hangs herself. Distraught, Oedipus uses the pins of her scarf to gouge out his own eyes. He gives Creon control of Thebes and leaves the city to wander the land as a blind beggar.

Reading Oedipus Rex

If you have chosen to read Oedipus, you will read the whole play in order to gain understanding of an actual Greek Tragedy. You may read the play online, download the play, and/or listen to the play in an audio format. Options are available for free online, but there are other versions available for purchase. Links are provided in the sidebar to help you as you read. Click here to read a copy of the play Links to an external site.. Click here to access the reading comprehension questions. Links to an external site.

As you read Oedipus,  make note of the various tragedy elements and details that work together to create the theme.

Antigone (441 B.C.) by Sophocles

The Antigone  play takes place in the war-torn city of Thebes. After Oedipus has left the city, his sons, Eteocles and Polynices, fought for the throne. Polynices besieged the city with foreign troops. Both died during the fighting, and this leaves Oedipus' brother-in-law, Creon, to rule. While he buried Eteocles with full funeral rights, Creon declared Polynices a traitor, and forbade anyone in Thebes from burying him. This was a powerful statement; the Greeks believed that this meant the unburied soul could not enter the afterlife.

Antigone, the sister of Polynices and Eteocles, decides to defy her uncle and ensure her brother enters the afterlife. All she must do is sprinkle a little dirt on him, and he will be set free. She succeeds, but is discovered, and is brought in front of her uncle. She doesn't deny the allegations when questioned. He sentences Antigone to death. Later he speaks with his son, Haemon, who is Antigone's fiance. It becomes clear that even his son disagrees with Creon's choices. The two argue, and when Creon threatens to have Antigone executed in front of them, Haemon storms out. Creon orders that Antigone should be walled up in a cave, and left to die.

The famous seer, Tiresias, arrives and advises Creon to bury Polynices. Even though Creon stated he would do as Tiresias says, he does not, and Tiresias predicts that Creon's actions will bring a plague upon the city. Creon heeds Tiresias's words, fearing the wrath of the gods, and he decides to spare Antigone's life. It is too late. While Creon is giving Polynices a proper burial, Haemon finds Antigone has hanged herself. When Creon arrives at the cave, Haemon tries to kill his father, and when he fails, kills himself. The queen hears her only living son is dead, and she stabs herself, but first she puts a curse on her husband. Creon is left at the end of the play, alive, but filled with sorrow.

View the Three Act Structure plot below:

Reading Antigone

If you have chosen to read Antigone, you will read the whole play in order to gain understanding of an actual Greek Tragedy. You may read the play online, download the play, and/or listen to the play in an audio format. Options are available for free online, but there are other versions available for purchase. Links are provided in the sidebar to help you as you read. Click here to read the play. Links to an external site.Click here to access the corresponding reading comprehension questions. Links to an external site. Links to an external site.

As you read Antigone, make note of the various tragedy elements and details that work together to create the theme.

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