1. Drama
Literary form in which actors represent the characters on a stage or the selection is written to be performed

2. Poetic drama
Drama that is written in verse

3. Tragedy
Drama ending with the death of the hero or with the hero alive but spiritually crushed

4. Comedy
A drama in which there is a general movement from sadness to happiness

5. About Oedipus Rex
(Oedipus the King)

6. Written by Sophocles in performance format around 430 B.C.

7. Sophocles lived in Greece from 496 B.C. through 406 B.C.

8. Sophocles wrote over 100 plays, only 7 have been preserved

9. Used a common myth, well-known to audience
Greek plays were based on myths that use universal problems to enhance their credibility and timelessness

10. Greek Drama Evolved from religious ceremonies dedicated to Dionysus
Chants of a chorus ….leaders of different sections of the chorus speaking out….characters speak and interact

11. Typical features of a Greek drama:
1. strict unity of time, place, and action
2. effective use of irony
3. characters that are thoroughly human

12. Greek tragedy deals with
What is a human being’s place in the universe?

20. Prologue (prologo) Introductory scene Provides exposition
…and exposition is….?

21. in medias res Literally, “in the middle of things”
Action starts at a critical point

22. Chorus
A group of men (and women), of lower social rank than the chief characters, but interested in the chief characters’ destinies

23. Number ranges from 12 to 15
Led by a “leader” who sometimes speaks alone and even acts as a character
Choral odes (songs) are sung in strophes and antistrophes

24. Strophe
initial verses of the choral song
Antistrophe
the answering verses of the song

25. The opening song of the chorus in Greek drama
Parados
The opening song of the chorus in Greek drama
Gives further introduction and establishes the appropriate emotional tone

26. Exodus (exodos) Final song of the chorus or leader of the chorus
Opportunity for a dramatist to show off his rhetorical abilities
Final statement of theme

27. Four functions of the chorus
Provides background information
Comments on the action and interprets the moral significance of events

28. 3. Represents a specific force affecting the characters, i. e
3. Represents a specific force affecting the characters, i.e. functions like a minor character
4. Provides a lyric (song) variation on the themes of the work.

29. An incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs
Irony
An incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs

30. Dramatic irony
Occurs when audience knows more than the character(s) about the true state of affairs.

31. Oracle An oracle was a shrine consecrated to a prophetic god
A prophecy made known at such a shrine
The priest at such a shrine
Delphi – Apollo
Dodona - Zeus

32. Oracles used primarily for
1. foreshadowing
2. dramatic irony
3. creating a tragic atmosphere
Used like ghosts and witches in Shakespeare
Those not legendary are freely invented by the writer.

33. Tragic Hero
1. nobility
2. tragic flaw (error in judgment or frailty) hamartia
3. downfall
Reversal of fortune
Ex. Accuser becomes the accused
Prosecutor becomes the defendant

34. Tragic Hero cont’d.
4. Recognition
5. Downfall affects others

35. Catharsis
A word used by Aristotle in his Poetics to describe the desired effect of tragedy
…is the purgation (cleansing) of emotions of pity and fear
In feeling pity and fear for the tragic hero, the viewers own emotional tensions are released and temporarily resolved

36. A quick check…
Be ready to explain the makeup of the Greek chorus and how it is used in a play.

37. What is a tragic hero? What are the characteristics that are usually associated with a tragic hero?

38. Can you explain….
Ode
Oracle
Catharsis
Drama
Origins of drama
4-5 essential elements of a tragic hero

39. Good morning!
Please pick up a Literature and Composition book and sign out sheet. Read the contract and fill it out.
Also pick up your writing folder and 5x8 index card.
And, have your notebook and planner out as well as your Antigone homework.

40. Subject matter Taken from legend and myth
Plots not ready made for playwrights
Playwrights changed legends to fit their theme.
Three reasons for using legendary and mythological figures:

41. Historical names lent a certain credibility to the actions being performed.

42. The use of illustrious persons and significant events lent dignity and power to the tragedies.

43. Such names allow for artistic detachment and perspective…allow a universality that makes them relative then and now.

44. Good Morning!
Can you…
Identify the Greek god associated with the “birth” of drama?
Define tragedy?…parados?
Identify the Three Unities of a drama?