Week D: April 27- May 4, 2020

Can you believe that we are in Week #4 of this virtual adventure? For some of you, the switch to on-line has been smooth as you were already taking other on-line classes. For others, the wild new schedules of everybody in your house has been challenging.

Whatever your situation, I want you to know that I want you to pass this class. If you have questions or need additional time to complete any of the work, please let me know. If you find an assignment space locked, please ask me to open it. I hope to have all on-line assignments open until Monday, May 4.

 The discussion boards will NOT be reopened. The goal was to have a discussion about the current week's topic.

Our class is scheduled to end on Friday, May 8, 2020. There will be additional assignments next week, so I hope you will be able to finish all of the other assignments before then. PLEASE let me know if you are running into difficulties. I will do my best to make success possible for you.

Do sign in at 1:30 on Thursday for the weekly Zoom meeting. Sign-in information will be shared on Canvas. Taking part in the Zoom meeting earns you full credit for one of the weekly assignments.

Now - on with the week!

Week D/ Assignment #1 - Greek Masks

The masks that the actors in Greek plays wore were designmed to identify the different characters in a play. There were usually three actors who switched masks throughout the play.  The masks and the costumes for Greek actors made the actors look larger than life. After all, the people seated on the top of the hill were quite far away from the stage. There were no Jumbo-trons then, so the actors needed to be as visible as possible.  Masks also depicted emotion.

The masks also functioned as megaphones so that the voices would carry up the hill.

Your task is to design a mask for one of the characters in the play Antigone. You may do this with computer art or you may use something as simple as a paper plate, markers, and yarn. If you have art talent, consider making a mask out of some other material such as clay or metal. The choice is yours. 

(75 points)

Here are the characters: https://www.randolphcollege.edu/greekplay/characters-in-antigone/

Click this link for the plot summary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnoZmoZbjwg

Also look at this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xR1eN3JJuak&list=PLJgBmjHpqgs59hmAjlAsX_vh0vGYv_3Jm&index=8

This one is fun! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHPla98CE1M

• What are the qualities of a Greek hero?
• In what ways is the play a political thriller? 
• This modern version is set underground in a war room. Why?

15 Points
Take a look at these sample masks: https://historyofgreekdrama-rubybourke.weebly.com/masks-in-greek-theatre.html

This clip shows masks made more recently for modern productions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xR1eN3JJuak&list=PLJgBmjHpqgs59hmAjlAsX_vh0vGYv_3Jm&index=8

Task: Read this article: http://teachinghistory100.org/objects/about_the_object/greek_theatre_mask

List FIVE additional facts about Greek masks. (10 points)

Here are some tips about Greek mask making: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jToXlJQZC_g
 Total: 100 points

Week D: Assignment #2 = Modern Production Ideas

Watch the seven segments about Antigone. For each segment, list three important points or three new things that you learned about the play or about Greek theatre.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1-tMzk9cMg&list=PL9y2BUcGVZeBZwuTcWBihngnZ_W6QF6R9


A. An Introduction
B. Heightened Language
C. Creon and Antigone
D. Creon and Haemon
E. Family vs. State
F. Religion and Modern Context
G. Tha Ancient Greek Chorus

Points: 42

Week D: Assignment #3 - Watch and/or Read Antigone

In our pre-plague world, we would have read part of the play together in class and watched other segments. Of course, we would have been in costume and/or mask! 

Grab your popcorn and settle back for an evening at the theatre. Watch all 11 segments of the play.

If you want a more authentic experience, take your laptop or tablet outside. Sit on a rock. Snack on goat cheese and olives as you watch the play.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bSnnufOx80&list=PLjAYlUiAhOZ5xJhxtxojqCKFnZs5-lzCh

If you get tired of watching, switch to reading/listening:

Audio Book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2f9ItkNRqA

Text: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2f9ItkNRqA (The audio and text might differ as they were not translated by the same person.




For each of the eleven segments, complete the following: 

A. Write a two to three sentence plot summary.
B. Think about the actions and words of the characters. Make a link to something that is relevent in our day and time. For example, do the actions and/or words of Creon remind you any world leaders today? Are there any "heroes" like Antigone? Do families struggle with disagreements? In what ways is the chorus like the news media? These are just a few of the ideas that might link the ancient Greeks to us. Write two or three sentences to explain.

Points: 110

Week D/Assignment 4 - Discussion Board

The play of Antigone deals with family, obligations, laws, leaders, moral conflicts, wars, messengers, love, pride, and the news of the day.  For the discussion board this week, discuss a problem, dilemma,  or situation  in our time that relates to one or more of these topics.

For example, there are some who favor the lock-down and social distancing laws in our country and around the globe that were implemented in an attempt to keep the virus under control. There are others who say that their personal freedom is being taken away and given to the government. At what point is a law necessary? Is the health and safety of the public more important than the desires of some individuals? Or, is this just the a government's way of taking advantage of the situation? This just might be the sort of thing that the Greeks would turn into a play.

Do post your first thoughts by midnight on Thursday. Post at least two reactions to others by midnight on Monday, May 4, 2020.

Points: 50