Greek Tragedies and Oedipus Rex

1. Greek Tragedies and Oedipus Rex

2. KEY TERMS • Theater- “that which is seen” • Drama- “acting out” • Tragedy- drama in which a hero experiences a downfall that results from his tragic flaw or character weakness • Comedy- drama that used satire (derived from characters called satyrs), wit, and often ridiculed celebrated figures.

3. In medias res: “In the middle of the action.” Oedipus Rex begins after Oedipus’s prophecy has already been fulfilled • Chorus- a group of actors who sing odes or chants in a collective voice in Greek drama

4. Function of the Chorus in Greek Drama • Gives advice; takes part in the action • Establishes ethical framework; sets the moral standard • Ideal spectator- reacts as playwright hopes audience will • Sets mood and heightens suspense • Adds movement, song, and dance • Paces the action so that the audience can reflect on what has happened

5. Origin of Drama • Greek plays began as religious rituals honoring Dionysus (god of wine, fertility and procreation) • “ecstasis”- an altered mental state from uninhibited dancing and emotional displays. • Greeks saw drama as a way of releasing powerful emotions through the ritualistic sacrifice of the tragic hero. • At first, plays only consisted of a chorus narrating the god’s life in song. • Eventually, plays evolved in to more complex reenactments of well-known myths

6. Golden Age of Greek Theater(600-200 BC) • Thespis- wrote formal lyrics for the dithyramb and is credited with the invention of the actor. This protagonist interacted with the chorus, hence the term thespian. • Drama competitions were instituted in 534 BCE. • Plays were performed in the daytime and competitions were spread over several days. • Masks were worn that exaggerated facial expressions and aided in acoustics.

7. The Use of Masks • Masks were used instead of costume changes since only 3 actors played all of the roles • Masks had exaggerated facial expressions to show emotion • They also acted as megaphones

8. Physical Space • The Golden Age of Greek theater was defined by amphitheaters with wooden spectator stands built into hillsides that encircled a platform in which the chorus would stand and move. • As theater evolved, action of the play moved from primarily the chorus in the orchestra area to the actors on the stage.

9. Physical Space • Theatron “watching space”- spectator area • Orchestra“dancing area”- circular location for the chorus between the stage and theatron • Logeion- staging area to separate actors from chorus • Skene- simply means “tent” or “hut” and represented palaces or houses around which plays were set; became the basis of modern scenery.

12. Theater at Delphi

13. Tragedy • Tragedy: A work of dramatic literature that shows the downfall of a person (that person is known as the tragic hero) • Tragedies explore powerful emotions, such as love, hate, revenge, and loyalty • According to Aristotle, a tragedy triggers TWO main emotions in the audience: • Pity– we feel sympathy for the hero’s suffering • Fear – We fear for him and for ourselves

14. Greek Tragedy Structure • The basic structure of a Greek tragedy is fairly simple: • The prologue (background information) is spoken by one or more characters. • The chorus enters and sings the Parados (opening song) while dancing • “Episode” = spoken section (dialogue takes place between actors. Like a “scene”) • Stasimon = (Choral Ode) Actors leave the stage and the chorus dances and sings a Stasimon, or choral ode, which explains or comments on the action of the play so far

15. There are several “episodes,” each separated by a Stasimon in between. • Exodos: At the end of play, the chorus exits singing a processional song which usually offers words of wisdom related to the actions and outcome of the play.

16. THE TRAGIC HERO • TRAGIC HERO: The protagonist of a tragedy. He usually has the following characteristics: • He is of high birth or noble status (royalty) • He is a brilliant leader who has gained the love and respect of his people • The tragic hero is NOT perfect! We have to be able to see him as someone “like” us, just in a higher position in society • Therefore, the tragic hero MUST have tragic flaw

17. ELEMENTS OF A TRAGEDY • TRAGIC FLAW(hamartia) – a character weakness that the (tragic hero) possesses that causes his downfall • The hero's downfall, therefore, is partially her/his own fault, the result of his own actions (rather than evil, outside forces)

18. REVERSAL (Parapeteia-). Because of his tragic error, the hero suffers a downfall from his respected position of leadership/royalty to suffering and misery. • RECOGNITION (Anagnoresis-). The hero realizes that his own flaw or error has caused his reversal. This recognition always occurs too late for the hero to prevent or escape his reversal. • PATHOS: the audience must feel pain from sympathy for the hero • CATHARSIS: release/cleansing of emotions

19. Oedipus the King

20. SOPHOCLES: The Playwright

21. Sophocles Background • He was born a mile northwest of Athens in 496 B.C. in a town called Colonus. • He was born to a wealthy family, and was well-educated • Career as a dramatist began when he entered the Dionysia theatrical competition in 468 BC. He won 1st prize. • Over his lifetime, he wrote over 120 plays • Sophocles died about year 405.

22. Sophocles: Contribution to Greek Theater • Sophocles contributed many innovations to the Greek theater: • Increased the number of people in the chorus • Introduced a 3rd speaking part, allowing for more complex dialogue • Expanded use of machinery and sets (“special effects”) • Example: Using a crane to lower actors on stage to simulate gods coming down from sky

23. Oedipus: Tragic Hero, King of Thebes, son of Laius and Jocasta, husband of Jocasta, murderer of Laius • Jocasta: Queen of Thebes; husband is killed before story begins and she marries Oedipus • Creon: brother of Queen Jocasta; brother-in-law/uncle to Oedipus • Tiresias -  Tiresias, the old blind prophet of Thebes • Antigone and Ismene: daughters of Oedipus and Jocasta

24. Laius: Oedipus’ father; former King of Thebes and former husband of Jocasta (until he was killed by Oedipus) • Polybus:Oedipus’ adoptive father, King of Corinth • Merope:Oedipus’ adoptive mother, Queen of Corinth • Mt. Kithairon: Mountain that baby Oedipus was supposed to be left on to die

25. Oedipus Rex: Things To Be Looking For (themes, motifs, literary devices, etc.): • Sight v Blindness • Fate v Free Will • Wisdom v Knowledge • The Crossroads • Power • Determination • Irony (dramatic, verbal, situational)

26. MARRIED SIBLINGS JOCASTA LAIOS CREON SON OEDIPUS UNCLE MARRIED ENGAGED SIBLINGS ISMENE ANTIGONE POLYNEICES ETEOCLES KILL EACH OTHER IN BATTLE