Pre-reading Research on Greek drama
Antigone Pre-reading Research English II honors
Purpose:
Before we begin reading Antigone, it is important that you have a basic understanding of Greek Theater as well as the background for the story. The play is written to be read independently from the other two (Oedipus Rex and Oedipus on Colomnus), but references to individuals and culture are important to understanding the characters, plot, and conflict.
Directions:
1. Using 3 reliable sources ( journal, professional / academic website, book...no wikipedia, Sparknotes, Schmoop, or similar sites), research Greek drama and the story of Oedipus.
2. Type your answers to the questions below following MLA format. You may share this as a Google document or print it yourself. Make sure that you do not simply copy and paste from websites.
3. Create a list of your sources at the end of the assignment following MLA format.
The OWL Purdue is a great resource for writing information. You can visit their website for full details (https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/). I have provided some samples below to help you.
MLA citation for a website:
Editor, author, or compiler name (if available). Name of Site. Version number,
Name of institution/organization affiliated with the site (sponsor or
publisher), date of resource creation (if available), URL, DOI or permalink.
Date of access (if applicable).
The Purdue OWL Family of Sites. The Writing Lab and OWL at Purdue and
Purdue U, 2008, owl.english.purdue.edu/owl. Accessed 23 Apr. 2008.
MLA citation for a book:
Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Publication Date.
Gleick, James. Chaos: Making a New Science. Penguin, 1987.
SECTION ONE – Dionysus & Greek Theater
SECTION TWO – Sophocles
11. What was Sophocles’s profession?
12. Where did he live, and when?
13. Name three changes in the theater that Sophocles is credited with.
14. Name three written works for which he is known.
SECTION THREE - Oedipus
15. Identify the following individuals and places (spelling may vary for some names):
Laius
Thebes
Jocasta
Oracle at Delphi
Oedipus
Corinth
Sphinx
Eteocles
Polynices
Antigone
Ismene
Tiresias
BONUS: Describe the lifestyle and role of women in Greek society.
Note! You may use the following sources to help you get started:
https://tinyurl.com/duncansgreektheaternotes
https://tinyurl.com/y8o4t2jb
There may or may not be a quiz on this information in class.
Purpose:
Before we begin reading Antigone, it is important that you have a basic understanding of Greek Theater as well as the background for the story. The play is written to be read independently from the other two (Oedipus Rex and Oedipus on Colomnus), but references to individuals and culture are important to understanding the characters, plot, and conflict.
Directions:
1. Using 3 reliable sources ( journal, professional / academic website, book...no wikipedia, Sparknotes, Schmoop, or similar sites), research Greek drama and the story of Oedipus.
2. Type your answers to the questions below following MLA format. You may share this as a Google document or print it yourself. Make sure that you do not simply copy and paste from websites.
3. Create a list of your sources at the end of the assignment following MLA format.
The OWL Purdue is a great resource for writing information. You can visit their website for full details (https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/). I have provided some samples below to help you.
MLA citation for a website:
Editor, author, or compiler name (if available). Name of Site. Version number,
Name of institution/organization affiliated with the site (sponsor or
publisher), date of resource creation (if available), URL, DOI or permalink.
Date of access (if applicable).
The Purdue OWL Family of Sites. The Writing Lab and OWL at Purdue and
Purdue U, 2008, owl.english.purdue.edu/owl. Accessed 23 Apr. 2008.
MLA citation for a book:
Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Publication Date.
Gleick, James. Chaos: Making a New Science. Penguin, 1987.
SECTION ONE – Dionysus & Greek Theater
- Who was Dionysus? How is he related to Greek plays?
- Who was known as the father of drama?
- Describe the shape and structure of the theater?
- Describe the actors’ costumes.
- What did the scenery on the stage look like?
- What is the Greek Chorus and what is its function?
- Who is the choragos/choryphaeus
- What is the purpose of the prologue?
- What was the sentry’s main role?
- What is the parados and the exodus?
SECTION TWO – Sophocles
11. What was Sophocles’s profession?
12. Where did he live, and when?
13. Name three changes in the theater that Sophocles is credited with.
14. Name three written works for which he is known.
SECTION THREE - Oedipus
15. Identify the following individuals and places (spelling may vary for some names):
Laius
Thebes
Jocasta
Oracle at Delphi
Oedipus
Corinth
Sphinx
Eteocles
Polynices
Antigone
Ismene
Tiresias
- What is an oracle?
- Explain why Oedipus left Corinth.
- Why was Oedipus abandoned as a baby?
- How did Oedipus become King of Thebes?
- What did Tiresias tell Oedipus regarding the plague and how does Oedipus respond?
- What does Joacasta do when she finds out the truth?
- What curse did Oedipus place on his sons?
- What happened between Polynices and Eteocles after Oedipus died?
- Who assumes the throne as King of Thebes after the battle?
- What was the burial ritual for Greek citizens, and why was it so important?
BONUS: Describe the lifestyle and role of women in Greek society.
Note! You may use the following sources to help you get started:
https://tinyurl.com/duncansgreektheaternotes
https://tinyurl.com/y8o4t2jb
There may or may not be a quiz on this information in class.