Tragedies

Question 1

what is the Theban saga

Answer 1

compilation of stories written by Sophocles and Aeschylus following the royal family of Thebes (city of tragedy)

stories: Oedipus Rex (sophocles), Oedipus at Colonus (sophocles), Seven against Thebes (aeschylus), Antigone (sophocles)

Question 2

summarize Oedipus Rex

Answer 2

Oracle of Delphi tells king & queen of Thebes they will die at the hands of their son (Oedipus), so they abandon him. Years later, Oedipus travels to Thebes and must solve the murder of the king to get rid of miasma. Oedipus also marries the queen after solving sphinx’s riddle. Turns out he was the murderer & he married his mom, so he gauges his eyes out.

Question 3

summarize Oedipus at Colonus

Answer 3

Oedipus is very sad and goes to Colonus, he sits at the sanctuary of the Furies, where the townspeople want him to leave so their city doesnt get cursed. Theseus makes an appearance & consoles him. Oedipus dies at the end.

Question 4

summarize seven against Thebes

Answer 4

Oedipus’ sons Eteocles & Polynices fight over their dead father’s throne, leading to war. Title is a reference to 7 generals and 7 gates of Thebes. In the end, Creon gets contol of the throne.

Question 5

summarize Antigone

Answer 5

aftermath of Seven Against Thebes. Antigone defies the law and gives her brother Polynices a proper burial. She is brought before king Creon and doesnt admit fault. As punishment, she is sealed off in a cave

Question 6

Theban saga themes

Answer 6

Agency of mortals with divinely-ordained destinies

Conflict between mortal and divine law.

Question 7

what is the Oresteia

Answer 7

trilogy written by Aeschylus, covers the murder of Agamenon & the subsequent fallout
books: Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, The Eumenides

Question 8

summarize Agamemnon (the play)

Answer 8

Agamemnon comes home after the Odyssey, shows his wife his new concubine Cassandra. Clytemnestra kills Agamemnon in the bath out of anger & as a revenge for their daughter.

Question 9

summarize the Libation Bearers

Answer 9

Orestes and Electra want to get revenge for their father’s murder (idea given to them by Apollo). After the murder, they get pursued by the Furies, Orestes makes speech to the audience justifying his actions.

Question 10

summarize the Eumenides

Answer 10

Orestes is tried for murder in Athens. Apollo, the Furies, and citizens of Athens participate. Athena ends up being the tie-breaker, lets Orestes go free.

Question 11

summarize the Eumenides

Answer 11

Orestes is tried for murder in Athens. Apollo, the Furies, and citizens of Athens participate. Athena ends up being the tie-breaker, lets Orestes go free.

Question 12

Oresteia themes

Answer 12

Justice vs Revenge, rejecting vigilantism in favour of legal justice
morality & responsibility
Familial Duty, heirarchy of relationships