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Antigone Lecture #2

It was interesting to see both how the assignment of a single line can so drastically change the meaning behind an entire play and how historians go about figuring out how to assign the line to a character. Depending on who says the line, it changes the meaning while also showing the deeper motivations behind the speaker. This shows how important the speaker is in a text. It is easy to forgo discussions on speaker in a play because line assignments make it very clear who is speaking. However, disagreement on this line shows how important it is to dive deep into the meaning of a certain character saying a specific line. 

Either the lecture or one of the articles (I cannot remember which) mentioned that one way to assign the line to a character was to look at the structure and format of other plays during that time period. Generally, in Ancient Greek plays, dialogue was between two people. So, to have Antigone enter into dialogue that, until that point, was only between Creon and Ismene would be unconventional. Not unheard of, but not the general practice of Ancient Greek plays. Historical context gives historians insight into what the most likely situation was outside of the text. While understanding what this line assignment would mean inside the text is important, it is difficult to distinguish intent. Knowing the external context helps to show—from a formatting point of view—what the conventional format of Ancient Greek plays was.

Comments

  1. Eloise DanielloOctober 21, 2022 at 1:36 AM

    Hey Noah! I think it's interesting too how significantly one line can change the whole meaning of the passage and a character. In this case, it even changes the storyline slightly and adds a whole new side plot between Ismene and Haemmon. It makes sense what you said about the conventionality of the dialogue between two characters and it would be odd for Antigone to interject in their conversation.

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  2. Hilary LeOctober 22, 2022 at 11:46 AM

    Hi Noah! I didn't know that dialogue was generally between two people in ancient Greece. That makes sense that Antigone entering the dialogue would be out of place. One line can seem quite minute, but in the context of the Antigone, it can completely change it and raise more questions about Antigone or Ismene. I think that it makes sense that Antigone having the line would be unconventional for an ancient Greek play. I wonder what are some other typical conventions or features and how that might be in Antigone or not.

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  3. James MaddenOctober 22, 2022 at 9:58 PM

    Hey Noah! I also find it fascinating how one singular line can change the entire meaning of a passage so significantly. I agree that the particular line mentioned in the microlecture was strange because it would be awkward for Antigone to make an abrupt remark during an exchange between Creon and Ismene only.

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