Antigone SCH Context Flashcards
Who wrote Antigone? And when?
Antigone was written by the ancient Greek playwright Sophocles around 441 BCE
Who were the Sophists?
Sophists, a group of philosophers and teachers, challenged traditional beliefs, focusing on rhetoric and persuasion. Their impact is evident in the dialogues and arguments of Antigone.
Sophists came up with the proposition that…
man, not god, was the “measure of all things”
Creon seems to be very much on the side of the Sophists, as evident by…
his resolute, rhetorical question to his son Haemon, “am I to rule this land for other — or myself?”
When is Antigone set?
The Hellenistic period
How far does the Hellenistic period span?
The Hellenistic period spans the period of Mediterranean history between the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC and the emergence of the Roman Empire, as signified by the Battle of Actium in 31 BC
What is divine law?
In Antigone, divine law is the moral code set by the gods, notably seen in the duty to bury the dead, which becomes a central conflict as Antigone defies King Creon’s decree
Why did the Greeks regard burial as one of their most sacred duties?
It was believed that the soul had no rest as long as the body remained unburied. Also, an unburied body was an offence to the eyes of the gods, residing in both the upper and lower worlds.
How were women viewed in Ancient Greece?
They had virtually no political rights of any kind and were controlled by men at nearly every stage of their lives
Expand on the statement that “Ancient Greek women were largely confined to their home”
Men would serve the “polis” (state) whereas women lived in the “oikos” (household)
How did Plato view women?
Plato believed women to be physically weaker than men
What did Aristotle say about women?
“Women are unfinished men”
The Sophists spread ideas of…
relativism and challenged traditional ideologies
What is relativism?
The rejection of objective claims and judgements
Where can we see the theme of family and loyalty in Antigone?
Antigone’s defiance of King Creon is driven by her loyalty to her brother and her sense of familial duty
Where can we see the theme of law and justice in Antigone?
Antigone defies King Creon’s decree to uphold divine law and provide a proper burial for her brother - the conflict between divine and human laws
The context of Antigone is set against the backdrop of…
The Great Peloponnesian War - a conflict between Athens and Sparta
Why is the Peloponnesian War’s backdrop in Antigone significant?
It reflects the broader social and political turmoil of ancient Greece, influencing the play’s themes and characters. It provides a nuanced reflection of the challenges and ethical dilemmas faced by individuals during this tumultuous period.
Golden Age of Athens
Antigone was written during the Golden Age of Athens, a period of great cultural and political flourishing
Common stringed musical instruments used in ancient Greece…
- Lyre
- Kithara
