Sophocles of Kolōnos (c. 496 - c. 406 BCE) was one of the most famous and celebrated writers of tragedy plays in ancient Greece. His surviving works, written throughout the 5th century BCE, include such classics as Oedipus the King, Antigone, and Women of Trachis. As with other Greek plays, Sophocles’ work is not only a record of Greek theatre but also provides an invaluable insight into many of the political and social aspects of ancient Greece, from family relations to details of Greek religion. In addition, Sophocles’ innovations in theatre presentation would provide the foundations for all future western dramatic performance, and his plays continue to be performed today in theatres around the world...read more...
This film explores the defining aspects of Greek Theatre.
This film explores the role of women in Ancient Greek society and the representation of female identity in Antigone, Women of Troy and Medea.
This film offers a brief introduction to Aristotle's theory of tragedy from Edith Hall, before introducing the play Antigone by Sophocles.
The Story of Antigone
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Historical Background
The Athens Sophocles knew was a small place — a polis, one of the self-governing city-states on the Greek peninsula — but it held within it the emerging life of democracy, philosophy, and theatre. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle wrote and taught in Athens, and their ideas gave birth to Western philosophy. Here, too, democracy took root and flourished, with a government ruled entirely by and for its citizens.
During the fifth century B.C., Athens presided as the richest and most advanced of all the city-states. Its army and navy dominated the Aegean after the defeat of the Persians, and the tribute money offered to the conquering Athenians built the Acropolis, site of the Parthenon, as well as the public buildings that housed and glorified Athenian democracy. The wealth of Athens also assured regular public art and ...read more...