Context (Leaving Cert Classical Studies): Flashcards
📚Flashcards
Practise the cards
15 cards from this deck
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Practise the cards
15 cards from this deck
Sophocles' lifespan
Sophocles' lifespan
Approx. 496-406 BC
Antigone composition date
Antigone composition date
Around 441 BC
Theban cycle
Theban cycle
Plays exploring cursed legacy of King Oedipus & his family
Eteocles & Polyneices' fate
Eteocles & Polyneices' fate
Killed each other in single combat over Thebes throne
Creon's decree about Polyneices
Creon's decree about Polyneices
Body must remain unburied as warning to traitors
Greek burial rites importance
Greek burial rites importance
Dead must be buried to cross river Styx & find peace
Antigone's central conflict theme
Antigone's central conflict theme
Individual conscience vs state authority
Athens political context during Antigone
Athens political context during Antigone
Democratic experimentation under Pericles' leadership
Creon symbolises
Creon symbolises
Authoritarian rule & absolute obedience to state
Antigone symbolises
Antigone symbolises
Individual resistance & personal morality
Theological conflict in play
Theological conflict in play
Divine law vs human law
Hubris definition
Hubris definition
Dangerous pride leading mortals to challenge divine will
Women's expected role in Athens
Women's expected role in Athens
Silent, obedient, confined to domestic spaces
City Dionysia
City Dionysia
Athens' main religious festival honouring god Dionysus
Chorus role in Antigone
Chorus role in Antigone
Intermediary between action & audience, citizen perspective