1. Appreciating Drama: Greek Tragedy Derivation The word tragedy itself might have been derived from tragodoia, meaning a chorus of people who imitated goats, or wore goatskins, or connected with a performance where a goat was either awarded as a prize or was ritually sacrificed.

2. Elements of Greek Tragedy

3. A Greek tragedy has five constituents elements. The first of these is the prologue. This is the part of the play that is enacted before the Chorus makes its first entry. This may be either in monologue or dialogue. The second structural element of the tragedy is called the parodos. This the song which is sung at the time when the Chorus enters the stage A Greek tragedy has five constituents elements. The first of these is the prologue. This is the part of the play that is enacted before the Chorus makes its first entry. This may be either in monologue or dialogue. The second structural element of the tragedy is called the parodos. This the song which is sung at the time when the Chorus enters the stage

4. The third element comprises the episodes, or scenes in which the actors take part along the Chorus. Derivatively the term perhaps means the entrance of an actor along with the Chorus. The episode include lyric passage, lamentations, and incidental songs by the chorus. The fourth element is embolima, mere musical interludes between the episodes. The last element in the structure is the exodos or final scene. This comes after the last stasimon. The third element comprises the episodes, or scenes in which the actors take part along the Chorus. Derivatively the term perhaps means the entrance of an actor along with the Chorus. The episode include lyric passage, lamentations, and incidental songs by the chorus. The fourth element is embolima, mere musical interludes between the episodes. The last element in the structure is the exodos or final scene. This comes after the last stasimon.

5. Aristotle ’ s Definition of Tragedy

6. Tragedy has been defined by Aristotle: ” A tragedy is the imitation of an action that is serious and also, as having magnitude, complete in itself; in language with pleasurable accessories, each kind brought in separately in the parts of the work; in a dramatic, not in a narrative form; with incidents arousing pity and fear, wherewith to accomplish the catharsis of such emotions. ” Tragedy has been defined by Aristotle: ” A tragedy is the imitation of an action that is serious and also, as having magnitude, complete in itself; in language with pleasurable accessories, each kind brought in separately in the parts of the work; in a dramatic, not in a narrative form; with incidents arousing pity and fear, wherewith to accomplish the catharsis of such emotions. ”

7. Oedipus Rex

8. Oedipus Rex or Oedipus the King as it is generally known in its English translation, is the first in terms of the order of events in the Theban legend. Sophocles compresses the plot by taking up only the closing period in King Oedipus ’ s 15-year rule over Thebes. It is only through other characters, as well as from some of the speeches of Oedipus himself, that we are able to piece together the earlier part of the story Oedipus Rex or Oedipus the King as it is generally known in its English translation, is the first in terms of the order of events in the Theban legend. Sophocles compresses the plot by taking up only the closing period in King Oedipus ’ s 15-year rule over Thebes. It is only through other characters, as well as from some of the speeches of Oedipus himself, that we are able to piece together the earlier part of the story

9. Polybus, the childless king of Corinth, has brought up a foundling as his son, keeping him ignorant of the fact that he was not his real son. One day a drunken courtier makes an institution about Oedipus parentage which angers him so much that he decides to approach the oracle of Delphi in order to find out who his parents really are. Instead of satisfying him, the oracle tells him that he is fated to marry his mother and kill his father, Still believing that the king and queen of Corinth are his parents, Oedipus decides that the best way of avoiding horrible fate predicted for him would be to stay away from Corinth As he is going away from the shrine, he meets an old man traveling in a chariot and, being roughly treated by him, kills him as well as all but one of his attendants. He then reaches the city of Thebes, which is being terrorized by the Sphinx who kills everyone who passes that way by [putting him a certain question which no one is able to answer Polybus, the childless king of Corinth, has brought up a foundling as his son, keeping him ignorant of the fact that he was not his real son. One day a drunken courtier makes an institution about Oedipus parentage which angers him so much that he decides to approach the oracle of Delphi in order to find out who his parents really are. Instead of satisfying him, the oracle tells him that he is fated to marry his mother and kill his father, Still believing that the king and queen of Corinth are his parents, Oedipus decides that the best way of avoiding horrible fate predicted for him would be to stay away from Corinth As he is going away from the shrine, he meets an old man traveling in a chariot and, being roughly treated by him, kills him as well as all but one of his attendants. He then reaches the city of Thebes, which is being terrorized by the Sphinx who kills everyone who passes that way by [putting him a certain question which no one is able to answer

10. Oedipus is able to answer the question and, in desperation, the Sphinx dashes herself to death. The grateful people of Thebes, who have recently lost their king, offer the kingship to Oedipus who has delivered then from this fearful monster. Oedipus is also married to the widowed queen, Iocasta, his real mother. Oedipus is able to answer the question and, in desperation, the Sphinx dashes herself to death. The grateful people of Thebes, who have recently lost their king, offer the kingship to Oedipus who has delivered then from this fearful monster. Oedipus is also married to the widowed queen, Iocasta, his real mother.

11. To what extent is the concept of hamartia applicable to the tragedy of Oedipus in Oedipus Rex To what extent is the concept of hamartia applicable to the tragedy of Oedipus in Oedipus Rex Or Or Write a note on Oedipus as a tragic hero in the light of Aristotle ’ s remarks in the Poetics. Write a note on Oedipus as a tragic hero in the light of Aristotle ’ s remarks in the Poetics. Or Or What role do Oedipus ’ pride and excessive self-confidence play in his tragedy? What role do Oedipus ’ pride and excessive self-confidence play in his tragedy? Or Or Do you share the view that Oedipus of Oedipus Rex is punished for his basically unsound character? Do you share the view that Oedipus of Oedipus Rex is punished for his basically unsound character?

12. The conception of the tragic hero that we gather from Aristotle ’ s Poetics is that he is a highly esteemed and prosperous man who falls into misfortune because of some serious hamartia The conception of the tragic hero that we gather from Aristotle ’ s Poetics is that he is a highly esteemed and prosperous man who falls into misfortune because of some serious hamartia

13. It was Odeipus ’ s hamartia which was directly responsible for his fall. Oedipus hamartia is proud and over-confident; he harbours unjustified suspicions against Teiresias and Creon; in one place he goes so far as to express some uncertainty about the truth of reality of oracles. Another view is that the present failings of Oedipus may be taken to mean that he was always like that, and that the gods punish him because his character is basically unsound It was Odeipus ’ s hamartia which was directly responsible for his fall. Oedipus hamartia is proud and over-confident; he harbours unjustified suspicions against Teiresias and Creon; in one place he goes so far as to express some uncertainty about the truth of reality of oracles. Another view is that the present failings of Oedipus may be taken to mean that he was always like that, and that the gods punish him because his character is basically unsound

14. Finally, Oedipus is also held guilty in another way- it is said that he fails to take the logical steps or precautions which would have saved him from committing the crimes. “ Couldn ’ t Oedipus have escaped his doom if he had been more careful? Knowing that he was in danger of committing parricide and incest, would not a relay prudent man have avoided quarrelling, even in self defense, with men older than himself? Finally, Oedipus is also held guilty in another way- it is said that he fails to take the logical steps or precautions which would have saved him from committing the crimes. “ Couldn ’ t Oedipus have escaped his doom if he had been more careful? Knowing that he was in danger of committing parricide and incest, would not a relay prudent man have avoided quarrelling, even in self defense, with men older than himself?

15. Write a note on the Delphic oracle in Oedipus The King

16. The oracles were a sacred religious institution in ancient Greece. Of the many shrines which had their own oracles, the most famous was the one located in the temple of Apollo at Delphi. Although the Delphic oracle was primarily concerned with questions of religion, it also entertained secular questions The oracles were a sacred religious institution in ancient Greece. Of the many shrines which had their own oracles, the most famous was the one located in the temple of Apollo at Delphi. Although the Delphic oracle was primarily concerned with questions of religion, it also entertained secular questions

17. Even before Oedipus comes to Thebes and becomes its king, the Delphic oracle plays a crucial role in Oedipus ’ life oracle that his parents decided to do away with him. When he himself is faced with the problem of finding out who his parents were, it is to this oracle that Oedipus goes. Instead of giving him a direct answer to his question, the oracle tells him that he would marry his mother and kill his father Even before Oedipus comes to Thebes and becomes its king, the Delphic oracle plays a crucial role in Oedipus ’ life oracle that his parents decided to do away with him. When he himself is faced with the problem of finding out who his parents were, it is to this oracle that Oedipus goes. Instead of giving him a direct answer to his question, the oracle tells him that he would marry his mother and kill his father

18. Because of this prediction, Oedipus decides not to return to Corinth because otherwise he might kill Polybus and marry Merope, whom he still believes to be his father and mother. It is while he is returning from Delphi that he across Laius and kills him after a quarrel. Because of this prediction, Oedipus decides not to return to Corinth because otherwise he might kill Polybus and marry Merope, whom he still believes to be his father and mother. It is while he is returning from Delphi that he across Laius and kills him after a quarrel.

19. The oracle plays a prominent part in the story within the play also. When Thebes is afflicted with plague, Oedipus sends Creon to the oracle at Delphi in order to find out, as he says, whether any word or action of his could save the city from this trouble. So far the actions of the characters are concerned, it is clear that all of them hold the oracle ’ s words in great esteem. It was because of the oracle ’ s warning that Laius and Iocasta abandoned their own son to die on the mountain. Finally, the irreverence and impiety of Iocast and Oedipus towards the sacred institution of the oracle seems to shock the Chorus deeply. Although they love and esteem their king and queen. The oracle plays a prominent part in the story within the play also. When Thebes is afflicted with plague, Oedipus sends Creon to the oracle at Delphi in order to find out, as he says, whether any word or action of his could save the city from this trouble. So far the actions of the characters are concerned, it is clear that all of them hold the oracle ’ s words in great esteem. It was because of the oracle ’ s warning that Laius and Iocasta abandoned their own son to die on the mountain. Finally, the irreverence and impiety of Iocast and Oedipus towards the sacred institution of the oracle seems to shock the Chorus deeply. Although they love and esteem their king and queen.

20. The Plot The Pl

21. The action of Sophocles ’ play begins with the people of the city approaching their beloved king to save them from a plague which is ravaging their city. The king tells them that from a plague which ravaging their city. The king tells them that he is not unaware of their plight and has already taken some action to alleviate their sufferings. He has sent Creon, his kinsman, to the oracle of Delphi to find out how the trouble which afflicts his people could be denied. The answer that Creon brings is that there is a source of pollution in the city which should be removed if the city is to be saved from the plague. The action of Sophocles ’ play begins with the people of the city approaching their beloved king to save them from a plague which is ravaging their city. The king tells them that from a plague which ravaging their city. The king tells them that he is not unaware of their plight and has already taken some action to alleviate their sufferings. He has sent Creon, his kinsman, to the oracle of Delphi to find out how the trouble which afflicts his people could be denied. The answer that Creon brings is that there is a source of pollution in the city which should be removed if the city is to be saved from the plague.

22. The reference is explained as being to the murderer of Laius, the former king. Oedipus proclaims that the murderer of Laius, unless he himself comes forward, shall be punished with death or banishment, and anyone sheltering or aiding him knowingly shall also meet the same fate. Oedipus makes it clear that the order shall be applied irrespective of the status of the person involved. Even if he himself is found to be the murderer, the same punishment would be awarded The reference is explained as being to the murderer of Laius, the former king. Oedipus proclaims that the murderer of Laius, unless he himself comes forward, shall be punished with death or banishment, and anyone sheltering or aiding him knowingly shall also meet the same fate. Oedipus makes it clear that the order shall be applied irrespective of the status of the person involved. Even if he himself is found to be the murderer, the same punishment would be awarded

23. The blind prophet, Teiresias, is called to the court to advise the king as to the best way of ridding the city of the source of pollution. The prophet does not say anything but states that it would be better fo Oedipus if he remains ignorant of the knowledge which the former possesses. Oedipus takes this as an expression of rebellion. He accuses Teiresias of having plotted his overthrow in conspiracy with Creon. This angers Teiresias who declares that Oedipus himself is the accursed polluter for whom he is searching, that he has murdered his father and is living in sinful union with his mother. Oedipus at last discovers that the words of the prophet have come true. Upon this he blinds himself and requests Creon to banish him from Thebes, Iocasta, who discovers the truth earlier than Oedipus, commits suicid The blind prophet, Teiresias, is called to the court to advise the king as to the best way of ridding the city of the source of pollution. The prophet does not say anything but states that it would be better fo Oedipus if he remains ignorant of the knowledge which the former possesses. Oedipus takes this as an expression of rebellion. He accuses Teiresias of having plotted his overthrow in conspiracy with Creon. This angers Teiresias who declares that Oedipus himself is the accursed polluter for whom he is searching, that he has murdered his father and is living in sinful union with his mother. Oedipus at last discovers that the words of the prophet have come true. Upon this he blinds himself and requests Creon to banish him from Thebes, Iocasta, who discovers the truth earlier than Oedipus, commits suicid