Greek Tragedy

1. Greek Tragedy

2. Aristotle’s definition of tragedy • “the imitation of an action that is serious and also, as having magnitude, complete in itself” • “incorporates incidents arousing pity and fear, wherewith to accomplish the catharsis of such emotion” • Tragic hero will most effectively evoke pity and fear if he is neither thoroughly good nor thoroughly evil – combination of both • Tragic effect will be stronger if the hero is “better than we are” – higher than ordinary moral worth • Suffers a change of fortune from happiness to misery because of a mistaken act to which he is led by his tragic flaw or hamartia.

3. Hamartia • Term developed by Aristotle • Hamartia – the character’s flaw or error • Rooted in the idea of missing the mark • Can be an accident, mistake, wrongdoing, error or sin • Most common form of hamartia in Greek tragedies was hubris • Hubris – “pride” or overweening self-confidence which leads a protagonist to disregard a divine warning or violate an important law

4. Tragic Heroes…. • …are: • Born into nobility • Responsible for their own fate • Endowed with a tragic flaw • Doomed to make a serious error in judgment

5. Tragic Heroes… • …eventually: • Fall from great heights or high esteem • Realize they have made an irreversible mistake • Faces and accepts death with honor • Meet a tragic death

6. Greek Tragedy • Greek drama flourished in ancient Greece between 550-220 BC • Athens, the political and military power during this era, was the center of Greek theater • Theatrical forms that emerged: • Tragedy (late 6th century BC), comedy (486 BC), and satyr • Dramas were performed during festivals honoring the god Dionysus (god of wine, inspirer of ecstasy) • Performances were competitions • Usually presented in trilogies

7. Major Greek Tragedians • Aeschylus • father of tragedy • Profoundly altered tragic drama by the addition of a second actor – reduced the chorus’ role • Themes often dealt with fate and justice of the gods • Major trilogy dealing with Oedipus: Laius, Oedipus, and Seven Against Thebes • Seven Against Thebes: After Oedipus step down as king his sons agreed to alternate the throne each year. Eteocles refused to step down and Polynices attacked. The brothers ultimately kill each other • Aeschylus won 1st place in the festival in 467 BC for Seven Against Thebes

8. Major Greek Tragedians • Sophocles • Won the competition more often than anyone else • Increased the potential for dramatic conflict by adding a third actor • Most famous for the Theban Plays, or Oedipus Cycle, which consisted of Antigone, Oedipus the King, and Oedipus at Colonus • His themes often dealt with a character’s hubris

9. Major Greek Tragedians • Euripides • First competed in 455 BC, one year after the death of Aeschylus • Came in 3rd because he refused to cater to the preferences of the judges • He was more subversive than the others, creating more realistic characters (such as strong women and intelligent slaves) and satirizing popular heroes • Medea– story of the revenge of a woman betrayed by her husband, who left her to marry another woman

10. Myths – played a key role in Greek drama • Explained the unexplainable • For example: Echo • When Echo tried to get Narcissus to love her, she was denied. Saddened, she shriveled to nothing; her existence melting into a rock. • Only her voice remained – hence, the echo

11. Myths • Justified religious practices • Dionysian cults which worshipped Dionysus • Gave credibility to leaders • Myths were used to create family trees for leaders • Enforced the idea that the leaders were related to the god - demigods

12. Myths • Gave hope • Ancient citizens of Greece would sacrifice and pray to an Oracle • Oracle – a priest/priestess who would send a message to the gods from mortals who brought their requests • Where did hope come from? • Polytheistic (more than 1 god) • Centered around the 12 Olympians