1. Oedipus
The Greek Tragedy

2. The Gods
Humans feared them in relation to the Gods’ personifying war, plagues, and earthquakes.
Humans found the Gods approachable in their human qualities.
Relationship b/n Gods and humans – mutually advantageous.
Honored the Gods - Olympics

3. ZEUS Father of Gods – Maintained balance in world.
Gods intervened in the lives of mortals, sometimes even “mated” with them
See definition of Divine Causality (in packet)

4. Great things to come from this era……
Epics and Epic Poetry
Lyric Poetry
Philosophy – Socrates!
The Tragedy 

5. Festival of Dionysia Annual festival honoring the God Dionysus.
Dionysus – god of wine and fertility
A time for exploring the fundamental ideas and values that tied the community together.
4 day event, 15,000 spectators
“Culminating Event” –competition between playwrights. PRIZES included!

6. Festival of Dionysia Sophocles wrote approx. 120 plays
24 of his won first place, all others (that were submitted/peformed) won 2nd!

7. Greek Theater
From Chorus, two actors would emerge and take on individual roles.
SOPHOCLES – Increased number of singers in the chorus AND introduced a 3rd speaking part.+

8. The Theater Theatron – where the audience sat; horseshoe shaped
Rows of stone seats carved into hillside, rising upwards (theater seating )
First row reserved for important people
Orchestra – location of the chorus – dancing, singing, etc.

9. Thymele – altar to Dionysus, in center of orchestra, where sacrifices to the God were made.
Skene – Dressing Room/backdrop; may have trap door, place of “off-stage” action
Proscenium – Level area in front of Skene where all the major action of the play took place. Like a modern stage, but no curtain.

10. The Production Elaborate robe-like costumes
Masks that represented different characters (actors would change masks for different parts).Masks emphasized major traits of the character.
Metallic mouthpiece to enhance sound
No special effects, lighting, etc.
All MALE actors

11. Oedipus Trilogy
Oedipus Rex
Oedipus at Colonus
Antigone

12. Riddle of the Sphinx
What walks on 4 legs in the morning, 2 legs at noon, and 3 in the evening?”

13. Format of Greek Tragedy
Prologue – Opening Scene – Background of story given by an actor
Parados – Entrance of chorus, chanting a song which deals with a theme of the play.
Episode = Act/scene: Plot developed between the dialogue
Stasimon – A choral ode/song separating episodes, (re-establishes theme/plot)
Exodus – Final action of the play – ceremonial exit of all actors.