Antigone was written during a time period know as the Golden Age of Greece (500B.C. – 300B.C.) which focused on the arts, philosophy, literature, and architecture in Greece, paving the way for society in which we live today. The word theatre stems from the Greek word “to view” (Thorburn). Looking at modern theatre today, it is evident that the fundamental components are still in place: a stage for acting, an orchestra for music and the chorus, and the audience. Scene actually derives from the Greek word skene, or stage (Thorburn).
Greek plays were intended to contain multiple themes to demonstrate and communicate lessons to the audience; they focused on moral right from wrong struggles (Cartwright). The main points were usually social, political, and religious. In Antigone, one can see socially, the role of women, politically, the power (and the questioning of power) of the king, and religiously, the importance of the ingrained religious traditions.
Antigone’s character makes a critique on an individual’s responsibility in society. If she was true to her religious beliefs and went against society, she would be killed; – however, if she were true to society and went against religion, she would be spiritually killed, the major crux of the play.
Plays were acted out strictly by male actors, to a mostly male audience. They took place in theatres, similar to arenas, and were financed by the upper class who paid a tax called a “choregia” (The Origins of Theater). The only women that attended were most likely slaves and hetaerae. (The Role of Women in Ancient Greece).
“Greek Theatre.” Ancient History Encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 May 2017.
<http://www.ancient.eu/Greek_Theatre/>
“The Origins of Theatre.” PBS. Public Broadcasting Service, n.d. Web.
<http://www.pbs.org/empires/thegreeks/background/24b_p1.html>
“Women in Ancient Greek Drama including Roles, Influences, Audiences, and Questions and Answers.” The Role of Women in the Art of Ancient Greece. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 May 2017. <http://www.rwaag.org/gdrama>
“The Influence of Hellenic Greek Theatre on Modern Theatre – Tessa Thorburn.” Utsglobalstudio. N.p., 28 June 2016. Web. 4 May 2017. <https://utsglobalstudio.wordpress.com/2016/06/28/the-influence-of-hellenic-greek-theatre-on-modern-theatre/>