State-hosted Plays like Antigone

 

Until I listened to lecture 1, I did not know that the Athenian government initiated the performance of plays at the Dionysis festival. Since many ancient greek plays, including Antigone, criticize government, I would have expected the plays to have been put on by a rebellious, grass-root group. 

The fact that the state encouraged its citizens to attend plays like Antigone is extremely significant. The act indicates that the state wanted its citizens to think critically about their civic duties and personal stances on ideals such as justice, loyalty, and respect. It also demonstrates that the Athenian government was not afraid of examining the flaws of other political systems around it, and maybe even some of its own flaws.

This seems like it would be such a radical way of thinking at the time. In ancient Greece, the idea of perfection was widely understood, as people honored the perfection of gods and their works. I think it would take courage from any playwright to acknowledge that powerful governments like that of Thebes were still not perfect, and to turn to their own government for support on how to dramatically represent that critique.

With this context in mind, I am able to read Antigone in somewhat of a new light. I try to imagine state officials shifting uncomfortably in their seats when a government-focused critique hits a little too close to home. I try to envision audience members looking at their officials in broad daylight, slowly noticing the similarities between Creon and their own rulers. For these reasons, understanding the state-hosted aspect of Antigone performances helped me to appreciate the text more and I look forward to further reading.