Antigone: theatrical conventions of the period

Classical Greek Drama

Greek theatre emerged around 5th century BCE, and it was deeply intertwined with festivals honouring the gods, particularly Dionysus.
The typical Greek theatre was an open-air amphitheatre built on the side of a hill, with good acoustics to facilitate performances.
Masks were worn on stage by actors to help amplify their voices and represent different characters.

The Chorus

A vital element of Greek drama was the Chorus. It represented a group of ideal spectators who reacted to the story, provided context, questioned the characters, and offered wisdom.
In “Antigone”, the Chorus of Theban Elders plays a significant role, highlighting societal and moral perspectives, and reflecting public opinion.

Use of Prologues and Episodes

The prologue was the first part of the play, setting up the initial action and often presenting the background of the story.
Greek plays comprised a structure of alternating dialogue sequences, known as “episodes”, and choric songs called “stasimon”. In “Antigone”, the prologue sets up Antigone’s resolve to bury her brother, and the episodes deal with the fallout of her decision.

Tragic Irony

Classical Greek drama, especially in Sophocles’ ‘Antigone’, often employed tragic irony, where the audience is aware of fate’s terrible hand even as the characters try to evade it.
This conflict between human attempts to control destiny and the tragic inevitability of fate’s triumph is a cornerstone of the drama’s tensions.

Three-Actor Rule

Greek tragedy conventionally used three actors who portrayed all the characters in the play; this is known as the Three-Actor Rule.
The implementation of this rule demanded versatility from actors, as they would need to switch characters frequently during the play.

Unity of Time, Place, and Action

Greek tragedies adhered to what is known as Aristotle’s three unities – Unity of Time, Place, and Action.
According to this tradition, the plot must occur within a 24-hour period, happen in a single location, and follow a single story arc. In “Antigone”, these rules are evident in its confined timeframe, its setting in Thebes, and the singular focus on the fallout from Polynices’ unaired burial.

Understanding the theatrical conventions of the period aids in appreciating the crafting and staging of Sophocles’ Antigone, and the societal and cultural context in which it was both devised and performed. The strict parameters and conventions Sophocles adhered to and manipulated help shape the dramatic tension and ultimate tragic trajectory of the play.