Critically examine Antigone in Ferguson and the Greek tragedy
This is a paper that is focusing on critically examine Antigone in Ferguson and the Greek tragedy. The paper also provides additional information to use in writing the assignment paper.
Critically examine Antigone in Ferguson and the Greek tragedy
CLSX 384: Ethics in Greek Tragedy
Assignment 2
Directions:
In a paper of c. 1400 words (split between two sections), you will apply your knowledge from the course to critically examine Antigone in Ferguson, and then discuss how you would adapt a Greek tragedy of your choosing. In both sections of the paper, you need not answer every question, but you will want to touch on at least a few: these questions are meant to get you started on thinking critically about both Antigone in Ferguson and how you would stage your own modern adaptation.
Part One (c. 700 words):
Firstly, how does the Theater of War use Sophocles’ Antigone to explore police brutality? Why do you think the company would choose to adapt an ancient Greek tragedy to address these modern issues? In your response, you should consider:
Secondly, how relevant the ethical themes of the original Greek tragedy are to the modern context of Antigone in Ferguson. You might want to think about: a) in what ways are the plot and themes of Antigone similar or different to current issues of race and
policing? b) How do these similarities and differences contribute to our understanding of the purpose of Antigone in Ferguson?
Thirdly, how formal aspects of the genre of Greek tragedy might lend themselves to the exploration of modern ethical problems. You might want to think about: a) in what ways does Antigone in Ferguson make use of set speeches, agon scenes, and/or the
chorus and choral song to explore its themes? b) In what ways are these similar or different to the original performance and also role of these features of Greek tragedy?
Part Two (c. 700 words):
Now imagine that you are in charge of a theater company tasked with staging a Greek play for a contemporary audience at KU. Taking Antigone in Ferguson as a model, discuss how you would use one of the plays we have looked at this semester (excluding Antigone) to explore a modern ethical issue. For this section, you will need to focus on one play (excluding Antigone) and to refer to at least one ethical theory. In your discussion, you should consider:
Firstly, how the themes of the original play are relevant to the modern issue you have chosen, and how the adaptation of the play lends itself to exploring that issue.
Secondly, what particular ethical theories covered this semester are most relevant to the modern issue, and how they could be explored through the lens of the play
Thirdly, how formal aspects of the performance would contribute to the exploration of the modern issue. Would anything have to change from the original Greek performance (e.g. would you keep the chorus, and why?)?
Some (possibly) Helpful Resources
• Check out other Theater of War projects here https://theaterofwar.com/
• Interesting podcast about modern use of chorus
o http://www.apgrd.ox.ac.uk/podcast/the-chorus-in-contemporary-performance-apodcast-with-estelle-baudou-and-struan-leslie
• https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/14/theater/greek-tragedy-germany.html
o An interesting article about a modern Oresteia of sorts; it’s the NY Times so if you can’t access it, don’t worry about it
• http://www.apgrd.ox.ac.uk/learning/communicating-ancient-greece-and-rome/adaptingancient-greek-drama-in-the-modern-world
o A somewhat hectic website, but has some useful resources; same website as the podcast above
