1. Characteristics of a Sophocles Tragedy A Greek Tragedy Structure
Oedipus the King
Anticipation Guide
Characteristics of a Sophocles Tragedy
A Greek Tragedy Structure
The Role of the chorus
The Sphinx’s Riddle
Oedipus Myth

2. Characteristics of a Sophocles tragedy:
It is based on events that already took place and with which the audience is familiar.
The protagonist is a person of noble stature.
The protagonist has a weakness and, because of it, becomes isolated and suffers a downfall.
Because the protagonist's fall is not entirely his or her own fault, the audience may end up pitying him or her.

3. Characteristics of a Sophocles tragedy:
(5) The fallen protagonist gains self-knowledge. He has a deeper insight into himself and understands his weakness. (6) The audience undergoes catharsis, a purging of emotions, after experiencing pity, fear, shock and other strong feelings. The people go away feeling better. (7) The drama usually unfolds in one place in a short period of time, usually about a day.

4. Greek Tragedy Structure
Prologue: Spoken by one or two characters before the chorus appears.
The prologue usually gives the background information needed to understand the events of the play.
II. Parodos: the song sung by the chorus as it makes its entrance
III. Episodes/Scenes: the main action of the play

5. Greek Tragedy Structure
IV. Odes: a song (and often dance) that reflects on the events of the episodes, and weaves the plot into a cohesive whole A. Choragos: the leader of the chorus who often interacts with the characters in the scenes B. Chorus: the singers/dancers who remark on the action 1. strophe: the movement of the chorus from right to left across the stage 2. antistrophe: the reaction to the strophe, which moves across the stage from left to right.

6. Greek Tragedy Structure
V. Paean : sung by the chorus as it makes its final exit, which usually offers words of wisdom related to the actions and outcome of the play
VI Exodus: a prayer of thanksgiving to Dionysus in whose honor the Greek plays were performed

7. Role of the Chorus to explain the action
to interpret the action in relation to the law of the state and the law of the Olympian gods
to foreshadow the future
to serve as an actor in the play 
to sing and/or dance
to give the author's views

8. The Sphinx’s Riddle
"What goes on four legs in the morning, two legs at noon, and three legs in the evening?“

9. OEDIPUS MYTH Laius and Jocasta (childless king and queen of Thebes)
Told by Apollo their son would kill father and marry mother
When son born→ Laius hobbles him and sends him away to die w/shepherd
Shepherd gives to another shepherd from Corinth
Corinth shepherd gives child to his childless king and queen
They name him Oedipus (swollen foot)

10. OEDIPUS MYTH
Oedipus grows up; at banquet, drunk man says he’s not real son
Oedipus goes to oracle of Apollo to find out
Prophecy of murder/incest repeated
Oedipus won’t go home
Comes to place in road; attacked by driver of chariot; Oedipus kills him, old man (Laius) in chariot, and others (except one).
Oedipus arrives at Thebes

11. OEDIPUS MYTH
City had been plagued by Sphinx; Oedipus solves riddle of Sphinx
Oedipus marries Jocasta, becomes king of Thebes; Has two daughters and sons
Plague breaks out; people die, crops die
Thebans pray; priests beg Oedipus to save them