Big Love Flashcards
Thyona
Engaged to constantine
Angry Feminist stereotype
plots to kill grooms on wedding night
Lydia
Bride, middle ground between her two sisters. Betrothed to Nikos and the only bride who does not kill her husband. In the tub at beginning of play
Thyona
Bride, stereotype of the angry feminist. Hatches the plot to kill the grooms on their wedding night. Betrothed to Constantine. Smashes wedding gifts at beginning. “Boy babies should be flushed down the toilet at birth”
Olympia
Bride, polar opposite of Thyona. Stereotype of the lovelorn woman who only wants a man to take care of her; wants to be submissive. Betrothed to Oed.
Constantine
Groom, the ultimate misogynist. “Women are not informed and I am going to inform them”
Oed
Groom, not very bright.
Nikos
Groom, longs for a real connection with his bride.
Piero
Owner of the Italian manor providing sanctuary to the brides. Uncle of Giuliano.
Bella
Old woman, mother of Piero. Has thirteen sons. Judge of the trial. Girls stay with her at the end.
Giuliano
Grandson of Bella. Nephew of Piero. Gay, sometimes depicted as transgender or wearing a half-tuxedo/half-gown costume.
Leo and Eleanor
Wedding guests who provide hope and comic relief
How does it not conform to tragedy
The protagonist, the bride, are also the chorus, no hero, no tragic downfall, positive conclusion
Theme
Incest is wrong, importance of women’s rights
Important stage directions
Sounds/Music are just as important as the actions
Olympia
Engaged to Oed
Wants a man to take care of her
Submissive
Lydia
Engaged to Nikos
Does not kill her husband
Constantine
Misogynist
Oed
Not very bright
Nikos
Longs for real connection to his wife
Piero
Owner of italian manor, providing sanctuary to the brides
Bella
Piero’s mother, has 13 sons
“Love trumps all”
Giuliano
Grandson of Bella, Nephew of Piero
He is gay, sometimes depicted as transgender
Leo and Eleanor
Wedding guests who provide comic relief
Differences between original and rewrite
Original: Black egyptian men, White greek women (rewrite does not have race)
Nonconformance to Greek Tragedy
Protagonists and Brides are chorus
No hero, no downfall, positive conclusion
What does the play argue
Addresses incest as taboo
Ancient concept of arranged marriage
