Social Context

What do we mean by social context?
social context refers to the social setting in which people live or something is set. It also includes culture and the people and institutions that people interact with.

How did people live in the time Antigone was created?
Athens was very male dominated, for example only upper-class men could have formal education. Women had few political rights and were expected to remain at home and care for the children. One quarter of the population were slaves, usually captured prisoners. These slaves were used for heavy labour such as working in shipyards, quarries, mines and also as domestic servants. Most homes were windowless and furniture was rare as people spent the majority of day outside. Their diet was also quite simple, largely based on wine and bread. Meat was reserved for special occasions such as religious holidays.

Who was the target audience for the piece?
The target audience was men, as they were the only people that were allowed to view theatre. They would have enjoyed the plays because most greek theatres were based on greek life, so a lot of the audience could relate to the issues even if they were being over exaggerated. Also, in the plays men were usually portrayed as dominant which would have appealed to the men watching.

What were the needs, values and beliefs of the target audience?
Men strongly believed that women had no place part from at home and their role was to care for the children. They didn't think they had any right to socialise or express their opinions. Greeks in general were very religious and the gods were incredibly important to them. They also treated entertainment as a luxury and enjoyed it as part of their lifestyle.

How did this influence the themes and characters of Antigone?
At that time men were very dominant, but in the play the main character is a girl. It presents the idea of equality between the sexes, and how Antigone, as a women, had more moral values and family loyalty then creon, who is a man. This would have shocked the audience, being only men, to think that they agree and sympathies with the female character. Antigone as a play would have got a lot of people thinking.

What have you found out about the social context of Antigone? 
from the research I had done, i have found out that the events and people going on in real life influenced and inspired Sophocles to write Antigone. I also know the type of people who watched the plays, and the target audience. This research has helped understand Greek theatre and also given me more knowledge on Antigone and why it was written.

Who went to the theatre?
only men went to the theatre. Women weren't allowed to attend but had their own separate festivals. People in the front row were those of a higher status whereas people at the back were of a middle class.

What was the relationship between theatre, politics and religion?
Theatre often addressed politics and religion, some writers used their plays to express their views on the economy in that era. Antigone, for example, addresses religion and hierarchy. Antigone is listening to the gods and believes that they would want her brothers should be treated equally when they're dead.