Antistrophe is a term used in Ancient Greek theatre to describe the repetition of words or phrases. It was used to create a sense of rhythm and structure in the text, and to emphasize certain themes or ideas. It was also used as a form of poetic justice, where a character would be punished for their actions by having to repeat something that they had said earlier in the play.
Antistrophe is closely related to another form of repetition known as stichomythia, which involves the exchange of short lines between two characters. These exchanges were often used to build tension between the characters and to convey their feelings without having them actually speak.
Antistrophe in Greek Theatre
In Ancient Greek theatre, antistrophe was used to give a sense of order and structure to the performance. The chorus would typically use antistrophe at certain moments during the play, such as at the end of a scene or act when they would repeat some key words or phrases from earlier in the play. This repetition would help emphasize certain points or themes that had been discussed throughout the performance.
Examples of Antistrophe
One example of antistrophe can be found in Sophocles’ play Oedipus Rex. In this play, Oedipus declares “My fate has been woven together with my own hands” at the beginning of Act 1. He then repeats this line again at the end of Act 3 when he realizes that his prediction has come true.
Another example can be seen in Euripides’ play The Bacchae. In this play, Dionysus says “Obedience is better than insolence” at the beginning of Act 2. He then repeats this line again at the end of Act 4 when he is punishing Pentheus for his disobedience.
Antistrophe was an important tool for Ancient Greek writers and performers, as it allowed them to create a strong rhythm and structure within their plays while also emphasizing certain themes or ideas.
Conclusion:
In summary, antistrophe is an important literary device that was used extensively in Ancient Greek theatre. It involved repeating words or phrases both within lines and across scenes, creating structure within plays and emphasizing certain themes or ideas. Examples can be seen throughout Ancient Greek plays such as Oedipus Rex and The Bacchae.