1. Oedipus Rex “Swollen Foot King” Hmm…sounds interesting!

2. Drama Terms to Know Monologue-a long speech monopolizing conversation Monologue-a long speech monopolizing conversation Soliloquy-a dramatic monologue meant to represent thoughts Soliloquy-a dramatic monologue meant to represent thoughts Act-a division of a play which may consist of one or more scenes Act-a division of a play which may consist of one or more scenes

3. Tragedy v. Comedy Tragedy-a serious drama describing a conflict btwn. the protagonist and a superior force; has a sorrowful or disastrous conclusion Tragedy-a serious drama describing a conflict btwn. the protagonist and a superior force; has a sorrowful or disastrous conclusion Comedy-Less serious drama; has a successful conclusion after a struggle; purpose is to amuse Comedy-Less serious drama; has a successful conclusion after a struggle; purpose is to amuse

4. Drama terms to know... Stage Direction-author’s cues in parentheses designed to aid character movements/emotions Stage Direction-author’s cues in parentheses designed to aid character movements/emotions Antagonist-person/force in conflict with main character; in a tragedy-brings out the flaw Antagonist-person/force in conflict with main character; in a tragedy-brings out the flaw Protagonist-main character Protagonist-main character

5. Drama Terms… Prologue-provides background info. to the story Prologue-provides background info. to the story In Media Res-In the middle of the sequence of events In Media Res-In the middle of the sequence of events Dramatic Irony-when the audience understands something a character does not Dramatic Irony-when the audience understands something a character does not

6. Greek Stuff to Know The word drama comes from the Greek word “Dran,” meaning “to do” or “to act” The word drama comes from the Greek word “Dran,” meaning “to do” or “to act” Greek theater developed as part of the religious festival to honor the Greek god Dionysus—god of food and wine Greek theater developed as part of the religious festival to honor the Greek god Dionysus—god of food and wine

7. Dramatic Roles Greeks weren’t fans of violence on stage, and so adopted the role of the messenger—reported what was going on in other places—especially violence Greeks weren’t fans of violence on stage, and so adopted the role of the messenger—reported what was going on in other places—especially violence The chorus-gives info. and tells the reaction of the city The chorus-gives info. and tells the reaction of the city

8. Limitations to Greek Theatre BIG audiences—couldn’t see actors. Therefore, actors wore large masks and robes to show emotion. BIG audiences—couldn’t see actors. Therefore, actors wore large masks and robes to show emotion. No girls-Masks and robes showed gender No girls-Masks and robes showed gender No curtains No curtains No lighting No lighting No violence on stage No violence on stage No intermission No intermission Chorus always on stage Chorus always on stage

9. Oedipus background Sophocles is the author, but the myth of Oedipus was told for ages. Sophocles is the author, but the myth of Oedipus was told for ages. Setting: Thebes Setting: Thebes Oedipus solved the riddle of the Sphinx— Can you?? Oedipus solved the riddle of the Sphinx— Can you??

10. The Tragic Hero/Tragedy Tragic Hero-A character, usually of high birth, neither totally good nor totally evil, whose downfall is brought about by some weakness or error in judgment Tragic Hero-A character, usually of high birth, neither totally good nor totally evil, whose downfall is brought about by some weakness or error in judgment Harmatia-a tragic flaw, weakness of character or error in judgment that causes fall of hero Harmatia-a tragic flaw, weakness of character or error in judgment that causes fall of hero Hubris-arrogance or pride which causes the hero’s transgression against gods; usually the tragic flaw Hubris-arrogance or pride which causes the hero’s transgression against gods; usually the tragic flaw

11. Tragic Hero/Tragedy Anagnorisis-recognition of truth/discovery of hero; change from ignorance to knowledge Anagnorisis-recognition of truth/discovery of hero; change from ignorance to knowledge Peripeteia-reversal of fortune Peripeteia-reversal of fortune Nemesis-Greek goddess of retribution Nemesis-Greek goddess of retribution Catharsis-A purge of emotions that leaves the viewer relieved and elated Catharsis-A purge of emotions that leaves the viewer relieved and elated

12. The Fall A HERO -> WITH a TRAGIC FLAW A HERO -> WITH a TRAGIC FLAW STRUGGLES (against society, fate, self…through a series of wrong choices) STRUGGLES (against society, fate, self…through a series of wrong choices) LEADS TO: LEADS TO: 1. Reversal-the fall (Peripeteia) 2. Suffering-mental and/or physical 3. Recognition-knows what he/she did wrong (Anagnorisis) And then…death, destruction, waste of hero And then…death, destruction, waste of hero