1. GREEK THEATRE OEDIPUS By SOPHOCLES

2. Greek Theatre Flourished in Ancient Greece between 600 and 200 BC Flourished in Ancient Greece between 600 and 200 BC Politics, religion and military power in Greece was the epicenter of plays. Politics, religion and military power in Greece was the epicenter of plays. Athens held annual festivals honoring Dionysus the Greek god of fertility and wine. Athens held annual festivals honoring Dionysus the Greek god of fertility and wine.

3. Architecture in Greek Theaters Called a theatron; it was a large open- aired structure of 3 parts. Called a theatron; it was a large open- aired structure of 3 parts. Approximately 150 meters (492 feet; roughly the size of 1 2/3 football fields) Approximately 150 meters (492 feet; roughly the size of 1 2/3 football fields) This is the Epidurus Theater in Athens; a small scale version of a theatron. This is the Epidurus Theater in Athens; a small scale version of a theatron.

4. 3 Parts of the Theatron ORCHESTRA: place of action, choral performance, and religious rites. Always contained an altar dedicated to Dionysus ORCHESTRA: place of action, choral performance, and religious rites. Always contained an altar dedicated to Dionysus

5. SKENE: meaning tent or hut; was a rectangular building they used as a backstage area. SKENE: meaning tent or hut; was a rectangular building they used as a backstage area. Became a permanent building and walls became backdrop: hence the word SCENERY Became a permanent building and walls became backdrop: hence the word SCENERY

6. AUDIENCE: Sat in rows of benches that were built into the side of a hill AUDIENCE: Sat in rows of benches that were built into the side of a hill Could hold up to 15,000 people Could hold up to 15,000 people From any seat you could see all the seats around you, the action of the play and the surrounding land From any seat you could see all the seats around you, the action of the play and the surrounding land There was no classification of rich vs. poor at the theater. All audience members shared the same benches There was no classification of rich vs. poor at the theater. All audience members shared the same benches

7. Acting Actors were all amateurs; usually participated only because of the festival! Actors were all amateurs; usually participated only because of the festival! All male cast! All male cast!

8. Acting (continued) Most plays only contained 2 or 3 actors playing a number of roles each. Most plays only contained 2 or 3 actors playing a number of roles each. Since the space was so large they had to use grand GESTURES and large VOICES. Since the space was so large they had to use grand GESTURES and large VOICES. No props were used. No props were used. Greek plays incorporated song, chant, dance and chanted verses to music. Greek plays incorporated song, chant, dance and chanted verses to music.

9. Costumes and Masks Costumes and Masks They were very exaggerated. They were very exaggerated. Thick boots for height. Thick boots for height. Gloves to exaggerate hands Gloves to exaggerate hands A different mask for A different mask for each character

10. Costumes and Masks Cont. Tragic masks were mournful or pained looking. Tragic masks were mournful or pained looking. Comic masks were smiling or leering. Comic masks were smiling or leering. Masks included hair and covered entire head. Masks included hair and covered entire head.

11. Thespis 1 st Greek “actor” 1 st Greek “actor” In what was probably November 534 BC, he took the stage for the 1 st time during a Dionysus festival. In what was probably November 534 BC, he took the stage for the 1 st time during a Dionysus festival. Prior to this stories were told in 3 rd person point of view with dancers on stage. Prior to this stories were told in 3 rd person point of view with dancers on stage. In reverence to Thespis, actors are often called Thespians. In reverence to Thespis, actors are often called Thespians.

12. Famous Playwrights There were 3 major playwrights of that time : Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides There were 3 major playwrights of that time : Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides Aeschylus: 525 BC to 456 BC; 1 st of the great Greek tragedians, he changed acting from 1 actor to 2 Aeschylus: 525 BC to 456 BC; 1 st of the great Greek tragedians, he changed acting from 1 actor to 2 Euripides: 480 BC to 406 BC; Known for adding strong women characters to plays. Euripides: 480 BC to 406 BC; Known for adding strong women characters to plays.

13. SOPHOCLES 495-405 B.C. 495-405 B.C. Son of a wealthy merchant Son of a wealthy merchant Dramatist, priest, and politician Dramatist, priest, and politician In his first Dionysus competition he beat Aeschylus taking first place. In his first Dionysus competition he beat Aeschylus taking first place.

14. SOPHOCLES CONT. 2 Most famous plays were Antigone and Oedipus the King 2 Most famous plays were Antigone and Oedipus the King

15. GREEK TRAGEDY The correct definition of the word tragedy according to Greek Theater is: when a SIGNIFICANT person, usually a king or a hero, suffers a loss because of some flaw or weakness in his character. The correct definition of the word tragedy according to Greek Theater is: when a SIGNIFICANT person, usually a king or a hero, suffers a loss because of some flaw or weakness in his character.

16. Oedipus Background There once lived a man called Oedipus Rex. You must have heard about his odd complex. His name appears in Freud's index Because he loved his mother... There once lived a man called Oedipus Rex. You must have heard about his odd complex. His name appears in Freud's index Because he loved his mother... Tom Lehrer Tom Lehrer Tom Lehrer Tom Lehrer

17. Oedipus Continued The First Oracle The First Oracle * Laius is told in an oracle that his son will kill him. * Together with his wife Jocasta they agree to pin their son’s feet and leave him on a mountain to be overcome by the elements. * A slave feels sorry for him and takes him to King Polybus who raises him as his own son. Oracle: One who speaks for the gods to humans and relays prophecy.

18. Oedipus The Second Oracle: The Second Oracle: 18 years later, Oedipus is called a bastard child. 18 years later, Oedipus is called a bastard child. He leaves for Corinth to confirm his parentage. He leaves for Corinth to confirm his parentage. The Oracle warns him that he will kill his father and sleep with his mother. The Oracle warns him that he will kill his father and sleep with his mother. Oedipus changes his path to change fate and goes the opposite way towards Thebes. Oedipus changes his path to change fate and goes the opposite way towards Thebes. He runs into an old man whom he argues with and and in a rage he kills him. He runs into an old man whom he argues with and and in a rage he kills him.

19. Oedipus The Riddle of the Sphinx The Riddle of the Sphinx Thebes is haunted by a Sphinx and if you do not solve her riddles she kills the person. Thebes is haunted by a Sphinx and if you do not solve her riddles she kills the person. Oedipus solves the riddle and saves the town. Oedipus solves the riddle and saves the town. As a reward he is given Jocasta to be his wife (Jocasta is the widow of Laius, Oedipus’ biological father.) As a reward he is given Jocasta to be his wife (Jocasta is the widow of Laius, Oedipus’ biological father.)

20. Oedipus Continued The Third Oracle (many years later) The Third Oracle (many years later) Oedipus and Jocasta have 4 children together; not knowing their previous relationship. Oedipus and Jocasta have 4 children together; not knowing their previous relationship. Thebes is overrun by a horrible plague killing any thing or person in sight. Thebes is overrun by a horrible plague killing any thing or person in sight. King Oedipus promises to do everything he can to save the city. King Oedipus promises to do everything he can to save the city.

21. CHARACTERS OEDIPUS: King of Thebes OEDIPUS: King of Thebes JOCASTA: Oedipus’ wife/Queen of Thebes JOCASTA: Oedipus’ wife/Queen of Thebes CREON: Oedipus’ brother in law CREON: Oedipus’ brother in law TEIRESIAS: Blind Prophet TEIRESIAS: Blind Prophet PRIEST: Religious being who comes to Oedipus begging for help. PRIEST: Religious being who comes to Oedipus begging for help. HERDSMAN: a man with a secret HERDSMAN: a man with a secret MESSENGER: a man delivering good news from Corinth MESSENGER: a man delivering good news from Corinth

22. AND SO IT BEGINS!