Background~Antigone

First, Oedipus was thrown out of Thebes - but his daughter Antigone went wiith him to help and guide him. (This is the subject of Sophocles' third play - Oedipus at Colonus - which he wrote at the end of his life whhen he was over 90 in 401BC). Oedipus was forced to keep on traveling, because nowhere wanted to be polluted by having his body buried in their soil. There is another oracle - Oedipus believes he must die at a place called Colonus - in Athenian territory. The locals want to get rid of him, but he refuses to budge, and appeals to the king of Athens, Theseus. Theseus promises to help him and allow his body to be buried at Colonus - where his spirit will protect Athens.

At this point Oedipus' other daughter - Ismene - arrives with terrible news. Oedipus' two sons, Eteocles and Polynices have quarreled over who is to rule Thebes, and Polynices has left home - to find help and support for his claim to the throne. He soon arrives, and wants Oedipus' blessing - but Oedipus is appalled at their behavior and curses them both - a curse that they should kill each other. There is a mighty thunderstorm, and Oedipus' death follows quickly.

Oedipus' daughters returned to Thebes, where Eteocles now ruled alone. Polynices eventually reached Argos, where he was taken pity on by the king, Adrastus. Adrastus not only gave him his daughter in marriage, but also promised to restore him to the throne of Thebes. Seven armies led by seven heroes (including Adrastus and Polynices) attacked the seven gates of Thebes. Thebes under Eteocles and his uncle Creon resist - there is stalemate. To settle the quarrel, it is decided that seven Argive champions should face seven Theban champions in single combat at each of the seven gates. The Thebans are successful - but tragedy spoils the victory. Only one Theban champion died - and that was Eteocless who had faced his brother Polynices. Each had killed the other in fulfillment of their father's curse.

Creon is now undisputed king of Thebes ... and this is where the play Antigone begins.

Art: Due in Two Days (9/21)

As an individual, try telling the Oedipus story in a comic-book or storyboard format. Plan the scenes ahead of time and include dialogue that is faithful to the action and story. Choose a format that will be able to be displayed. You must include a story line in each box, as well as dialogue between the characters. Minimum of 6 boxes required, must use graphics/color to enhance the comic strip.

 

 

Antigone Background Comic Strip Rubric

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Content - Accuracy	All facts in the Comic are accurate.	99-90% of the facts in the Comic are accurate.	89-80% of the facts in the Comic are accurate.	Fewer than 80% of the facts in the Comic are accurate.
Graphics/Pictures	Graphics go well with the text and there is a good mix of text and graphics. Use of color enhances graphics.	Graphics go well with the text, but there are so many that they distract from the text. Use of color slightly distracts from the graphics/text.	Graphics go well with the text, but there are too few and the comic seems "text-heavy". Little or no color.	Graphics do not go with the accompanying text or appear to be randomly chosen. No use of color.
Attractiveness & Organization	The comic has exceptionally attractive formatting and well-organized information.	The comic has attractive formatting and well-organized information.	The comic has well-organized information.	The comic formatting and organization of material are confusing to the reader.
Comic Scenes	The comic has a clear beginning, middle, and end. And scenes depicted are in chronological order and contribute to the story.	The comic has a beginning, middle and end but not as well defined. Scenes are in chronological order and contribute to the story.	The comic does not have a beginning, middle and end or is missing a component. Not all of the scenes are chronological order and only some contribute to the story.	The comic does not have a beginning, middle and end. Scenes are not in chronological order and do not contribute to the story.
Dialogue	All frames have supporting details in bubbles or block thoughts. It is easy for the reader to understand what is going on in the comic.	Almost all frames have supporting details in bubbles or block thoughts. It is fairly easy for the reader to understand what is going on in the comic.	Less than half of the frames have supporting details in bubbles or block thoughts. It is difficult for the reader to understand what is going on in the comic.	No supporting details in bubbles or block thoughts. The reader can not understand what is going on in the comic.