Greek Drama

Key Terms  Drama: a story acted out on a stage for an audience  Tragedy: a dramatic work that presents the downfall of a dignified character, usually ending in a character’s death.  Comedy: a dramatic work that is light and often humorous in tone, usually ending happily, with a peaceful resolution of the main conflict.

Key Terms  Irony: usually involved a misunderstanding or difference in understanding, creating a gap in understanding that is appreciated by the audience.  Dramatic Irony: the reader or audience has knowledge of a situation that the characters do not know. The characters’ subsequent actions based on that missing information creates irony.  Tragic Irony: a noble character is undone by mistaken judgment

Dramatic Beginnings  Began in 6 th century B.C.  Religious festivals honoring Dionysus, the god of wine and fertility, or new growth  Masked dancers performed on circular stage

 Thespis of Icaria, a Greek poet, introduced the first actor to the stage  thespian, meaning actor, comes from his name  Actor would represent multiple characters through the use of masks and costumes  Plays continued to be religious in nature  Asked questions about the role of fate in human life and the relationship between mortals and the gods  tragedy comes from Greek word for goat, a sacred animal to Dionysus

And then…  Plays evolved into a form of entertainment  Writers competed for prizes before thousands of spectators at the festivals of Dionysus in Athens  Hundreds of Greek tragedies were performed  Only 35 have survived

 Plays were based on familiar myths and legends that audiences were familiar with  Audience is aware of things that the characters are not (Dramatic Irony)  Imagine watching a play about Little Red Riding Hood or any other familiar fairy tale. What would you know that the characters would not? the characters would not?

Four Great Play Writes  Sophocles, Euripides, Aeschylus (tragedy)  Aristophanes (comedy)  Each contributed something significant to the stage

What They Did for the Tragedy:  Aeschylus: added a second actor, which created dialogue  Sophocles: added a third actor, which created more intriguing plots  Euripides: added stage effects and more realistic characters

More about Sophocles  In his youth, he was a wrestler, a dancer, and a musician  He became a military leader, and worked in politics  He served as an ambassador and a public treasurer.  Helped establish the first Athenian hospital  Handsome, charming, friendly, and well- educated  Highly regarded in Athenian society

Tragic Hero  Character in a drama who is dignified or noble, yet possesses a tragic flaw that brings about or contributes to his or her downfall.  Recognizes the flaw only after it is too late to change the course of events.  Examples of tragic flaws: poor judgment, pride, weakness  Oedipus is a tragic hero

The Legend of Oedipus: Somebody Call CPS  Born to King Laius and Queen Jocasta of Thebes  An oracle told Laius that a son born to him would kill him  Laius ordered servant to pin baby’s feet together and leave him to die on a mountain  The servant pitied the infant and, instead, gave him to a shepherd.  The shepherd gave him to King Polybus and Queen Merope of Corinth  Oedipus means “swollen foot”

The Plot Thickens  Oedipus learns from a drunken partier that his father (Polybus) was not actually his father  Oedipus goes to see the oracle at Delphi to find out the truth about his parents.  The oracle reveals a terrible prophecy:  Oedipus would kill his father and marry his mother.

I Know Something You Don’t Know  Oedipus flees Corinth in an attempt to prevent the prophecy from coming true  On his way to Thebes, he runs into King Laius and some servants at a crossroad (symbolic?)  Remember, he does not know this is his dad (but we do: dramatic irony)  They get into an argument and Oedipus kills Laius

What’s That Egyptian Thing Have to Do With This?  When Oedipus gets to Thebes, there is a monster (The Sphinx) terrorizing the town  The Sphinx has the face of a woman, the body of a lion, and the wings of a bird.  A riddle for you: “What is it that walks on four legs in the morning, on two at midday, and on three in the evening?”  It (she?) ate anyone who could not solve the riddle.

And the Answer is:  Oedipus was a smart guy: “Man, for he crawls as a baby, walks erect in maturity, and uses a staff in old age.”  With the riddle answered, the Sphinx destroyed itself, and Thebes was freed from the terror  Go Oedipus!

Now Presenting  Oedipus is named the new king of Thebes (of course)  AND he scores a new lady: the late King Laius’ widow  He rules Thebes for many years – he is a good king.  Prophecy, Prophecy, Prophecy  Irony, Irony, Irony

Thebes in Trouble Again  The Sphinx is dead, but now the city is dealing with a terrible plague  Some scholars believe that this drama may have first been performed after Athens had suffered through a terrible plague, which began in 430 B.C.

Things to Ponder as We Read  Does Oedipus fit the definition of a tragic hero?  How do the words and actions of minor characters help you understand the main characters?  What strategies do you need to use in reading a play?  Where do you see examples of dramatic irony?  How does this add to the telling of the story?