Theatre Terms Antigone Greek Tragedy Conventions

Tragedy A drama or literary work in which the main character is brought to ruin or suffers extreme sorrow, especially as a consequence of a tragic flaw, moral weakness, or inability to cope with unfavorable circumstances

Anagnorisis Greek meaning: Recognition Greek meaning: Recognition Aristotle discuss it in the Poetics as an essential part of the plot of a tragedy Aristotle discuss it in the Poetics as an essential part of the plot of a tragedy Anagnorisis usually involves revelation of the true identity of persons previously unknown, as when a father recognizes a stranger as his son, or vice versa Anagnorisis usually involves revelation of the true identity of persons previously unknown, as when a father recognizes a stranger as his son, or vice versa Where have you seen anagnorisis used in modern films or books? Where have you seen anagnorisis used in modern films or books?

Catharsis A release of emotional tension, as after an overwhelming experience, that restores or refreshes the spirit A release of emotional tension, as after an overwhelming experience, that restores or refreshes the spirit Aristotle says it is the effect of tragic drama on its audience Aristotle says it is the effect of tragic drama on its audience The moment after the main character makes a BIG decision The moment after the main character makes a BIG decision building  building  Building  BUILDING  Ahhhhhhhh

Deus ex Machina A God or Gods are introduced into a play to resolve the entanglements of the plot A God or Gods are introduced into a play to resolve the entanglements of the plot Found in Greek and Roman drama – You may remember this from Odyssey and Oedipus! Found in Greek and Roman drama – You may remember this from Odyssey and Oedipus! Do you remember the 12 Olympians? Let’s review... Do you remember the 12 Olympians? Let’s review...

12 Olympians

Peripeteia A sudden change of events or reversal of circumstances, especially in a literary work A sudden change of events or reversal of circumstances, especially in a literary work

Stichomythia Dialogue in alternate lines, a form sometimes used in Classical Greek drama in which two characters alternate speaking single epigrammatic lines of verse Dialogue in alternate lines, a form sometimes used in Classical Greek drama in which two characters alternate speaking single epigrammatic lines of verse Often used as a means to show characters in vigorous contention or to heighten the emotional intensity of a scene Often used as a means to show characters in vigorous contention or to heighten the emotional intensity of a scene Characters may take turns voicing antithetical positions, or they may take up one another's words, suggesting other meanings or punning upon them Characters may take turns voicing antithetical positions, or they may take up one another's words, suggesting other meanings or punning upon them

Dramatic Irony A plot device in which the audience's or reader's knowledge of events or individuals surpasses that of the characters A plot device in which the audience's or reader's knowledge of events or individuals surpasses that of the characters When YOU know something the characters do NOT know When YOU know something the characters do NOT know Typically occurs as a part of the climax or turning point in the plot – Helps cause that moment of catharsis! Typically occurs as a part of the climax or turning point in the plot – Helps cause that moment of catharsis!

Pathos Greek meaning: suffering or feeling emotions Greek meaning: suffering or feeling emotions When a writer uses pathos s/he is... When a writer uses pathos s/he is... Appealing to the emotions of the audience in order to persuade Appealing to the emotions of the audience in order to persuade Choosing language that will affects the audience's emotional response Choosing language that will affects the audience's emotional response You use pathos too! If you don’t want to go to school how might you describe your “sickness” to your parents? Is it a mere cough? A sniffle? You use pathos too! If you don’t want to go to school how might you describe your “sickness” to your parents? Is it a mere cough? A sniffle?

Characteristics of a Tragic Hero Character must be of noble/high stature 2. have a tragic flaw 3. face a downfall 4. experience enlightenment 5. ultimately die or be pretty close to it! Oedipus IS a tragic hero...How does he fit these characteristics?

Hamartia Hamartia, from Greek word Hamartanein, means “to err” Hamartia, from Greek word Hamartanein, means “to err” Inherent defect or shortcoming in the hero of a tragedy, who is in other respects a superior being favored by fortune Inherent defect or shortcoming in the hero of a tragedy, who is in other respects a superior being favored by fortune The great man falls through--though not entirely because of--some weakness of character, some moral blindness, or error The great man falls through--though not entirely because of--some weakness of character, some moral blindness, or error Gods also are in some sense responsible for the hero's fall Gods also are in some sense responsible for the hero's fall GODS + FATAL FLAW = Hamartia (The Gods see the flaw in the tragic hero and lead him on the way to his downfall!) GODS + FATAL FLAW = Hamartia (The Gods see the flaw in the tragic hero and lead him on the way to his downfall!)

Hubris A common fatal flaw TOO MUCH PRIDE; ARROGANCE audacityaudacity, bluster, brass, conceitedness, audacity, bluster, brass, conceitedness, bluster audacitybluster contemptuousness, disdainfulness, ego, egotism, gall, haughtiness, highhandedness, imperiousness, contemptuousness, disdainfulness, ego, egotism, gall, haughtiness, highhandedness, imperiousness, egogallegogall insolenceinsolence, loftiness, ostentation, pompous, insolence, loftiness, ostentation, pompous, insolence presumptionpresumption, pretension, priggishness, scornfulness, self-importance, self-love, smugness, superciliousness, swagger, vanity pretensionswaggervanity presumptionpretensionswaggervanity

The Greek Chorus A group of actors/audience members that interject into the plot of the play A group of actors/audience members that interject into the plot of the play They speak in chorus and would usually have a drumbeat or musical interlude to accompany them They speak in chorus and would usually have a drumbeat or musical interlude to accompany them The chorus is there to help the audience consider different view points of the characters. They also pray to the Gods. (Remember this was a religious festival!) The chorus is there to help the audience consider different view points of the characters. They also pray to the Gods. (Remember this was a religious festival!) The chorus provides a review for the audience, offers prayers for the group, and helps the reader consider the different view points of the characters The chorus provides a review for the audience, offers prayers for the group, and helps the reader consider the different view points of the characters

The Greek Amphitheater