1. Oedipus Rex by Sophocles

2. Notes
You will be taking notes over the background of Greek theater, history, and Oedipus Rex backstory. Please ensure you follow the rules.
Objective:
I will become familiar with background information related to Greek plays, tragedies, and culture.
IMPORTANT!!!!
We will go at an accelerated speed, while taking notes.
Any phones will be confiscated and given to administrators.
Talking signals we are ready for the next slide.
If you choose to not pay attention, then you will be asked to research the information independently.

3. Philsopher, Playwright, Member of the Ruling Class
SOPHOCLES
Philsopher, Playwright, Member of the Ruling Class
Born 497 B.C.E.
Most awarded writer of his time
Lived through the Persian and Peloponnesian wars
Died at the age of 91

4. Ancient Greece Exclusionary Democracy Government Open Assembly
Only 10 % of the population was eligible to participate
Women, slaves and “non-citizens” were not a part of the process

5. Religious ideas
Greek Pantheon consisted of hundreds of deities in a complex hierarchy.
The “Olympian” gods were a relatively small part of the overall scheme

6. Greek Gods Immortal but not all-powerful
Subject to Fate and the will of other gods
Free Will vs. Destiny
Many lacked moral compass

7. Origins of greek theater
Thespis invented acting by stepping in front of the Chorus and performing solo.
According to legend, this was recorded by Aristotle.
Greek plays could hold – in theatrons
Plays were important social events
Contained religious themes and norms important to Greek society

8. Conventions of Greek theater
Dramatic Irony used as a tool to build suspense
Acted in daytime with minimal sets and props
Plays had to be held during daylight hours
Actors were all male
Violence – due to the religious intent and dignified style, no violence was shown on stage.
Chorus was central part of early Greek theater .

9. Three unities as described by Aristotle
Unity of time- all the action of the play took place within 24 hours, in continuous time; dialogue and the Chorus provided background information.
Unity of place – all the action was limited to a single setting.
Unity of subject – one single main plot focused on the main character. There were no sub-plots.

10. Purpose of the chorus
To present exposition and to provide commentary on the action and characters.
They were always on stage, and they frequently sang and danced.
They always had a leader who carried on a dialogue with the main characters or with the rest of the chorus.
Set the tone
Give background information prior to the start of the play
Recall past events from the play
Interpret and summarize events
Ask questions
Offer opinions
Give advice , if asked
Stay objective, in the sense that it did not ever disagree with the leading character
Act like a jury of elders or wise men who listened to the evidence in the play and reached a moralistic conclusion at the end.

11. Function of the chorus
Usually consisted of men. Went as high as 50.
Was an honor to be asked to become part of the chorus
Sophocles integrated chorus as a legitimate character in the play
Leader of the chorus was called Coryphaeus

12. Chorus’ song
Highly formal and stylized back-and-forth movement that heightened the emotion of their performance
Strophe – the first part of a choral ode or kommos, during which the chorus moves from left to right, or east to west.
Antistrophe – that part of the choral ode, or kommos, that follows the strophe and during which the Chorus performs its return steps from right to left or west to east.
Epode- the third part of a choral ode, following the strophe and antistrophe and completing the Chorus movement.

13. Elements of Tragedies Peripeteia – reversal of fortune Tragic hero
Downfall of the tragic hero
Hamartia - tragic flaw or character trait that will lead to the downfall
Hubris – excessive pride or arrogance; a favorite type of hamartia
Catharsis- purging of the audience’s emotions.
Anagnorisis - critical moment in a play, specifically a tragedy, where the main character recognizes or identifies his/her true nature, or another character's true identity, or discovers the true nature of his situation leading to the resolution of the story; precedes peripeteia

14. Oedipus Backstory: Watch video and take notes

15. https://youtu.be/y2X3RDG8mOw