Give students the mythological background they actually need for Sophocles' Antigone without turning the unit into ten unrelated mythology reports. In this collaborative research project, groups investigate one focused topic, teach the class the most useful background, and then students keep using a class allusion guide as those references appear in the play.

WHAT'S INCLUDED
• 12-page editable PowerPoint resource
• Print-ready PDF
• Teacher guide
• Teacher topic guide
• Student project directions
• Research notes page
• Presentation-planning page
• Class allusion guide
• Follow-up allusion analysis page
• 40-point presentation rubric
• Gallery-walk option
• 10 cut-apart topic cards

THE 10 TOPICS
• Zeus
• Hades / Pluto
• Aphrodite
• Dionysus / Bacchus
• Dirce & Thebes
• Delphi & Prophecy
• Muses
• Hephaestus / Fire-God
• Furies / Erinyes
• Hecate

HOW IT WORKS
Assign one topic to each group. Students research only the information their classmates are likely to need when the reference appears in Antigone. Groups then give a brief 3–5 minute presentation while classmates complete the Class Allusion Guide.

As students read the play, they return to the guide and record where the references appear. The follow-up page asks them to connect the mythological background to character, conflict, mood, ideas, and recurring patterns in the play.

A gallery-walk option is included for teachers who prefer a more active alternative to front-of-room presentations.

WHY TEACHERS MAY LIKE IT
• Keeps the research focused and useful
• Builds shared background knowledge before or early in the play
• Gives students a reason to keep using what they learned
• Includes a consistent 40-point rubric
• Offers both presentation and gallery-walk formats
• Student pages are designed to photocopy cleanly

BEST FOR
• Sophocles' Antigone
• Greek tragedy units
• Mythology and literary allusions
• Collaborative research
• Short presentations
• Grades 9–12

NOTE ON EDITIONS
Names and wording vary by translation. Hades may appear as Pluto; Dionysus as Bacchus or Iacchus; Hephaestus may be called the Fire-god; and Hecate may be named directly or described more generally. “Delphi & Prophecy” is included as House of Oedipus background rather than as a guaranteed named allusion in every version of Antigone.

Using this project with Antigone? It is also available as part of my Antigone Bundle, together with Greek theater and tragedy background, pre-reading context, and post-reading tragic hero analysis.