Historical Context - Research

National Theatre - An Introduction To Greek Tradegy

• Greek tradegies looks suffering and misery directly in the face, its truthful and blunt. It transcends cultural and temporal boundaries due to the fact its themes are so universal and widely recognised. This is evident in the fact that most of the themes presented in greek tradegies are still relevant today, because even those culture and language may change these basic themes always stay the same and can be seen in any culture or society. Greek tragedy also enables us to reflect on society and the current issues around the world, because these issues are presented in such a bold and forceful way that you have no choice but to recognise and accept that these problems are a part of society.
• Aristotle came up with a 'formula' for a good tradegy. The hero's of the tradegy would have to be good, but no so good that you can't relate to them or that it seems unrealistic. They would have a good heart and try to do good things but make mistakes along the way like any normal person does.He said that one of the key things that leads greek tragedy is the 'Hamartia'. This is the error of judgement. Most Greek tradegies aren't about wicked people who do things in order to hurt or cause pain, it usually revolves around some one making a bad desicion that leads to terrible things. In that moment that decision seems like the right thing to do and there is no way of knowing what terrible fate will come out of it. The hamartia shows us that we live in a flawed world, yet a lot of this comes out of our actions and decisions and therefore we are responsible for these flaws. 
• Death is a key feature in Greek tradegies. One of the strongest metaphors do with death is around the sun. Characters who know or fear that they're about to die often address the sun. It revolves around the concept of 'leaving the light '(life) and entering the darkness(death).   
• Structure - Greek tradegies always start with a prologue that sets the scene. This is then followed by the chours. This allows for the passing of time after the prolouge, what may be several minutes on stage can be made into several hours by the chours.  
• Greek tradegy has had an enormous impact on the world. The plots and structures that feature in greek tradegies have been replicated in loads of ways over the years. One example is the soap operas that we get on T.V. Nearly all the plots and themes shown in these soap operas have been taken from Greek Tradegies. Arthur Miller is also a well-known writer who takes greek tradegies and the themes within them and
• Aristotle talks about something called Cartharsis (the concept of cleansing and purifying). This is the idea that you watch the end of a tradegy you feel pity and fear, and these emotions get cleansed via watching the play. Its the idea of emotional draining - however traumatic watching these plays may be, by the end you feel a sense of healing/cleansing of all the emotions you've released while watching that play.      

BBC Ancient Greece: The Greatest Show On Earth 

• Trojian Women was a play written by Euripidies. Its about some of the most significant aspects of human life: love, war, sacrifice, fear and death. 
• The Ancient Greeks influenced so many aspects of the modern world. Things like drama, politics, language, philosophy, art and architecture. 
• Greek playwrites revolutionised storytelling. It was more than entertainment. 
• The city was Athens invented democracy and theatre. There was a strong link between the birth of theatre and democracy. 
• Until this point, story's had only ever been narrated and never acted. 
• They believed it was dangerous to act out (become) the part of a God, a slave or a women. So they wore masks to protect them against 'becoming' these characters. 
• Some of the content in Greek Tragedys was so disturbing that the plays were set in a distant land so these things weren't associated with the city that they all lived in. 
• Greek Comedies often poked fun at politicians in Athens. 
• Theatre supposedly evolved out of songs to honour Dionysus, the greek god of theatre and wine. 
• Democracy and Theatre was also linked to religion. These ideas developed over time. 
• Athenians lived in small villages called Dems, these villages were ran by the local people who lived there. 
• Dems would gather to watch theatre. Most Dems had a central theatre where theatre and other things such as politics/democratic activity would take place. Democratic activity in theatres also happened in cities such as Athens.
•  Politicians sponsored theatre plays in the Dionysus festival. The winning plays sponsor's would put up statues to celebrate and flaunt their winnings. 
• When you went to the theatre you sat in the same group of people that you would go to war with, you also acted with the same group of people that you would go to war with.
• Over 1000 plays were written in Greek times, only 32 of the best plays survived.

Antigone and Creon -

• The relationship between Antigone and Creon isn't family one, its a politcal one.
•  The realtionship is complicated as they are related yet that doesn't count for anything. Creon treates her as a criminal and refuses to acknowledge their familly bond. Yet deep down I think that they both feel betratyed that they are family and can't work and support each other.
• Creon puts politics and what people think of him above the duty to care for your family and therefore care for Antigone.
• Creon isn't the 'bad guy' he just thinks differently and takes on a different opinion.