1. Greek Tragedy

2. Aristotle’s definition of tragedy
“the imitation of an action that is serious and also, as having magnitude, complete in itself”
“incorporates incidents arousing pity and fear, wherewith to accomplish the catharsis of such emotion”
Tragic hero will most effectively evoke pity and fear if he is neither thoroughly good nor thoroughly evil – combination of both
Tragic effect will be stronger if the hero is “better than we are” – higher than ordinary moral worth
Suffers a change of fortune from happiness to misery because of a mistaken act to which he is led by his tragic flaw or hamartia.

3. Hamartia Term developed by Aristotle
Hamartia – the character’s flaw or error
Rooted in the idea of missing the mark
Can be an accident, mistake, wrongdoing, error or sin
Most common form of hamartia in Greek tragedies was hubris
Hubris – “pride” or overweening self-confidence which leads a protagonist to disregard a divine warning or violate an important law

4. Tragic Heroes…. …are: Born into nobility
Responsible for their own fate
Endowed with a tragic flaw
Doomed to make a serious error in judgment

5. Tragic Heroes… …eventually: Fall from great heights or high esteem
Realize they have made an irreversible mistake
Faces and accepts death with honor
Meet a tragic death

6. Greek Tragedy
Greek drama flourished in ancient Greece between BC
Athens, the political and military power during this era, was the center of Greek theater
Theatrical forms that emerged:
Tragedy (late 6th century BC), comedy (486 BC), and satyr
Dramas were performed during festivals honoring the god Dionysus (god of wine, inspirer of ecstasy)
Performances were competitions
Usually presented in trilogies

7. Major Greek Tragedians
Aeschylus
father of tragedy
Profoundly altered tragic drama by the addition of a second actor – reduced the chorus’ role
Themes often dealt with fate and justice of the gods
Major trilogy dealing with Oedipus: Laius, Oedipus, and Seven Against Thebes
Seven Against Thebes: After Oedipus step down as king his sons agreed to alternate the throne each year. Eteocles refused to step down and Polynices attacked. The brothers ultimately kill each other
Aeschylus won 1st place in the festival in 467 BC for Seven Against Thebes

8. Major Greek Tragedians
Sophocles
Won the competition more often than anyone else
Increased the potential for dramatic conflict by adding a third actor
Most famous for the Theban Plays, or Oedipus Cycle, which consisted of Antigone, Oedipus the King, and Oedipus at Colonus
His themes often dealt with a character’s hubris

9. Major Greek Tragedians
Euripides
First competed in 455 BC, one year after the death of Aeschylus
Came in 3rd because he refused to cater to the preferences of the judges
He was more subversive than the others, creating more realistic characters (such as strong women and intelligent slaves) and satirizing popular heroes
Medea – story of the revenge of a woman betrayed by her husband, who left her to marry another woman

10. Myths – played a key role in Greek drama
Explained the unexplainable
For example: Echo
When Echo tried to get Narcissus to love her, she was denied. Saddened, she shriveled to nothing; her existence melting into a rock.
Only her voice remained – hence, the echo

11. Myths Justified religious practices Gave credibility to leaders
Dionysian cults which worshipped Dionysus
Gave credibility to leaders
Myths were used to create family trees for leaders
Enforced the idea that the leaders were related to the god - demigods

12. Myths Gave hope Polytheistic (more than 1 god)
Ancient citizens of Greece would sacrifice and pray to an Oracle
Oracle – a priest/priestess who would send a message to the gods from mortals who brought their requests
Where did hope come from?
Polytheistic (more than 1 god)
Centered around the 12 Olympians