Oedipus Introduction to Greek Tragedy

What ways can ones destiny be predicted? What ways can ones destiny be predicted? How did the Ancient Greeks prophesize the future? How did the Ancient Greeks prophesize the future?

Can you name any political leader who made a mistake which cost them their career (even their lives)? Can you name any political leader who made a mistake which cost them their career (even their lives)? What motivated them to make this mistake? What motivated them to make this mistake? Can you think of a example where pride was the major factor? Can you think of a example where pride was the major factor?

“Hubris” Hubris means pride that is likely to invoke the wrath of the gods Hubris means pride that is likely to invoke the wrath of the gods

Greek Theater Evolved from religious festivals to honor Dionysus Evolved from religious festivals to honor Dionysus Tragedy was a favorite of Greek Theater Tragedy was a favorite of Greek Theater At its heart of all tragedies was the characters hubris At its heart of all tragedies was the characters hubris

Greek Theater Attending plays was considered a civic duty. Attending plays was considered a civic duty. The price of a ticket was equal to the wages an unskilled man might earn for a day's work. The price of a ticket was equal to the wages an unskilled man might earn for a day's work. There was a special fund that citizens could apply for to receive money if they could not afford the ticket on their own. There was a special fund that citizens could apply for to receive money if they could not afford the ticket on their own.

Greek Theater Actors would rotate to play all speaking parts Actors would rotate to play all speaking parts All actors were men All actors were men Chorus also on stage Chorus also on stage Entered at open of play Entered at open of play had to project their voice without microphones to audiences of sometimes 10,000 people had to project their voice without microphones to audiences of sometimes 10,000 people

Greek Theater Importance of masks Importance of masks Allowed for actors to play multiple roles Allowed for actors to play multiple roles Chorus would usually wear similar masks Chorus would usually wear similar masks This separated them from the main actors This separated them from the main actors Allowed men to play roles of women Allowed men to play roles of women

Sophocles Over 62 years, Sophocles wrote over 120 plays, 24 of which won first prize; the others placed in second at the competition ! Over 62 years, Sophocles wrote over 120 plays, 24 of which won first prize; the others placed in second at the competition ! Only seven exist in their entirety today. Only seven exist in their entirety today. Ajax: 445 B.C. Ajax: 445 B.C. *Antigone: 440 B.C. *Antigone: 440 B.C. Electra: 440 B.C. Electra: 440 B.C. *Oedipus Rex: 430 B.C. *Oedipus Rex: 430 B.C. The Trachiniae : 413 B.C. The Trachiniae : 413 B.C. Philoctetes: 410 B.C. Philoctetes: 410 B.C. *Oedipus at Colonus: 401 B.C. *Oedipus at Colonus: 401 B.C.

Sophocles Sophocles changed Greek Theater Sophocles changed Greek Theater Changed cast size (Introduced a third actor and reduced the chorus from 50 people to 12) Changed cast size (Introduced a third actor and reduced the chorus from 50 people to 12) Used more elaborate costumes, including masks Used more elaborate costumes, including masks

Introduction to Oedipus The story of King Oedipus was written by the playwright Sophocles and won second prize in Athens' annual drama festival, in about 427 BC. Set in the city of Thebes, the tragedy contains one of the most famous riddles ever devised (the 'Riddle of the Sphinx'), and is an epic story of murder, incest, and terrible unintended consequences. The story of King Oedipus was written by the playwright Sophocles and won second prize in Athens' annual drama festival, in about 427 BC. Set in the city of Thebes, the tragedy contains one of the most famous riddles ever devised (the 'Riddle of the Sphinx'), and is an epic story of murder, incest, and terrible unintended consequences.

Speaking Parts Oedipus Oedipus Queen Jocasta Queen Jocasta Creon Creon Teiresias Teiresias a Priest a Priest First Messenger First Messenger Second Messenger Second Messenger Herdsman Herdsman Chorus Chorus Originally three actors would have played all the speaking parts accompanied by the Chorus. Originally three actors would have played all the speaking parts accompanied by the Chorus. In ancient Athens they would also have sung and danced in procession. In ancient Athens they would also have sung and danced in procession.

The Sphinx There was a single Sphinx in Greek mythology, a unique demon of destruction and bad luck There was a single Sphinx in Greek mythology, a unique demon of destruction and bad luck A winged lion with a woman's head A winged lion with a woman's head

The Sphinx Riddle The God Hera sent the Sphinx from her homeland to Thebes where she asks all who pass history's most famous riddle: The God Hera sent the Sphinx from her homeland to Thebes where she asks all who pass history's most famous riddle: "Which creature in the morning goes on four feet, at noon on two, and in the evening upon three?" "Which creature in the morning goes on four feet, at noon on two, and in the evening upon three?" She strangled anyone unable to answer to death. If anyone answered correctly, she killed herself. She strangled anyone unable to answer to death. If anyone answered correctly, she killed herself.

Oedipus the King Oedipus solved the riddle: Oedipus solved the riddle: Man — he crawls on all fours as a baby, then walks on two feet as an adult, and walks with a cane in old age. Bested at last, the Sphinx then threw herself from her high rock and died. Man — he crawls on all fours as a baby, then walks on two feet as an adult, and walks with a cane in old age. Bested at last, the Sphinx then threw herself from her high rock and died. As a reward for his victory, Oedipus is crowned the new king of Thebes As a reward for his victory, Oedipus is crowned the new king of Thebes

The Oracle The Oracle at Delphi was able to tell the future. A woman priestess would go into a trance and reveal the words of the god Apollo. The Oracle at Delphi was able to tell the future. A woman priestess would go into a trance and reveal the words of the god Apollo.

Sacrifice The oracle warned Oedipus' parents that he would grow up to kill the father and sleep with the mother. This so shocked them that the baby was taken away to be killed from exposure on the mountainside. The oracle warned Oedipus' parents that he would grow up to kill the father and sleep with the mother. This so shocked them that the baby was taken away to be killed from exposure on the mountainside. The baby's ankles were pierced and tied to keep him from moving. "Oedipus" means "swollen ankles" in Greek The baby's ankles were pierced and tied to keep him from moving. "Oedipus" means "swollen ankles" in Greek

SO BEGINS THE PLAY!