Antigone: social context – A Level Drama and Theatre OCR Revision

Ancient Greek Society and Values

Ancient Greek society was centred around the polis, or city-state, a politically independent community where citizenry and affection for the city-state were highly valued and nurtured.
The polis, particularly in Athens, was a place of democracy which was comparatively liberal, but still limited, excluding women, slaves and foreigners.
The society valued the virtues of courage, wisdom, moderation, and justice, the four cardinal virtues of Greek culture.
Greek tragedies like ‘Antigone’ were performed during religious festivals, primarily as a means to explore these virtues and guide the populous towards upholding them.

Greek Religion and the Afterlife

Greek religion was polytheistic and incorporated a wide range of gods and demi-gods, each representing different areas of life and natural phenomena.
Mythology and religious rites were integral to Greek life, influencing their understanding of morality and dictating the nature of societal duties.
Greeks believed in an afterlife, and performing proper burial rites was essential for the soul to reach the afterlife, known as the Underworld.
The violation of these religious rites was deeply sacrilegious, a theme which ‘Antigone’ explores, pitting it against secular laws of the state.

The Role of Women in Greek Society

Women in ancient Greece, particularly Athens, were largely subjugated and excluded from public life, having minimal political and legal rights.
They were expected to lead domesticated lives, dedicated to managing the household and bringing up children.
Despite this, mythology often represented powerful female deities and figures, suggesting a counter-narrative on the perception of women.
‘Antigone’, through its titular character, falls in line with this counter-narrative, presenting Antigone as a figure of courage and resistance even as she goes against societal norms.

Understanding Antigone’s Rebellion in Context

Antigone’s act of rebellion can be understood as a challenge to the societal, political and gender norms of her time.
Her actions reflect the conflict between the individual conscience and societal law, between the sacred and the secular, and between male and female power dynamics.
With this context in mind, ‘Antigone’ can be seen not just as a family drama but as a social critique, offering a deeper understanding of the classical Greek worldview.
Understanding these sociocultural factors is key to building a richer and more nuanced interpretation of the play, analysing it not just as a text but as a product of its time.