1. Sophocles, Greek Tragedy and Oedipus the King
An Introduction

2. Sophocles 496 BC-406 BC Greek playwright and poet Wrote tragedies
Wrote The Oedipus Cycle
A group of 3 plays that reveal the fate of Thebes during and after the reign of King Oedipus
Introduced third actor
prior to Sophocles, the 2 actors was the limit in addition to the chorus)

3. Thebes Ancient city in Greece
Setting for many tragedies, including Sophocles’

4. Elements of Tragedy Unities Terms: Aspects of Tragedy Tragic hero
Themes

5. Three Unities Unity of action- play has one main action it follows
Unity of time- play usually takes place within 24 hours
Unity of place- play usually takes place within one physical space
There are a few ancient plays that do not conform to these unities, but most do

6. Terms: Aspects of Tragedy in Greek Drama
A play that recounts an important series of events in the life of a significant person (main character) which results in that person meeting an unhappy and disastrous end.
Dramatic Irony:
When the audience knows information that the characters do not.
Epiphany:
When something unknown becomes suddenly clear.

7. Audience fears and pities character- punishment does not fit crime
Catharsis –
the audience cleanses their emotions. For example, they may feel uplifted.
Reversal –
the hero/heroine goes through a significant change in fortune for the worse. Reversal may happen after a discovery of something previously unknown to the hero/heroine.
Audience fears and pities character- punishment does not fit crime

8. Hamartia: Hubris: Ate’:
tragic or fatal flaw that leads to the downfall of the hero/heroine.
Hubris:
Excessive pride or arrogance, ambition, overconfidence is the most common type of hamartia. Typically leads to one becoming destructive to self/other
Ate’:
A condition under which people become delusional, deceptive, and destructive due to ‘overweening ambition.’ Usually a result of hubris

9. Aspects of the Greek Tragic Hero
Tragic hero/heroine - the protagonist, or main character, in the play .
Generally highborn
Must be good; Aims at propriety—has good intentions, is human
Exhibits tragic flaw/s, often hubris
Experiences a reversal
His pride or rash actions lead to his downfall
Suffers utter destruction or death
Evokes pity and fear in audience.

10. Oedipus Rex
Oedipus Rex is a play written by Sophocles that is divided into certain sections.
Prologos:
an introduction or preface, especially a poem recited to introduce a play
Parados:
is a song sung by a Greek chorus as it first enters the theater. It is named for the corridors at the front of the stage of a Greek theater from which the Chorus enters.
Episodes:
a section of a classic Greek tragedy that occurs between the two choric songs—the scenes.

11. Oedipus Rex continued Choric Ode: Exodus:
A classical Greek poem that has a three part structure consisting of a strophe, antistrophe and an epode
Exodus:
In Greek Drama, this is the final scene; in tragedy, it is the action following the final stasimon (choral ode); in comedy it is the final rejoicing following the last episode
Use the link below and watch the Prezi presentation. Remember to use full screen and use the arrows at the bottom of the screen to advance the slides.

12. Additional Vocabulary
Supplication—prayer
Plague—epidemic sickness
Sphinx—a mythical creature who guarded the city of Thebes
Crown of Laurel—wreath made from laurel leaves; used as an award to mark victory.
Prophet—someone who sees/tells the future
Oracle of Delphi—a shrine where Apollo communicated knowledge or prophecy through a priestess know as the pythia. It was usually in the form of a riddle.
Olive branch—a symbol of peace.

13. Themes & Symbols Topical Themes Symbols Blindness vs. vision
Knowledge vs. wisdom
Pride and ambition
Fate/destiny vs. choice
Symbols
Feet
Crossroads