1. Sophocles Born around 497 B.C. and died around 406 B.C. Born around 497 B.C. and died around 406 B.C. Celebrated and acclaimed Greek playwright Celebrated and acclaimed Greek playwright Wrote 123 plays, but only 7 survived including Oedipus Rex, Antigone and Oedipus of Colonus. Wrote 123 plays, but only 7 survived including Oedipus Rex, Antigone and Oedipus of Colonus.

2. Characteristics of Sophocles’ Plays: emphasis on individual characters emphasis on individual characters reduced role of chorus reduced role of chorus complex characters, psychologically well-motivated complex characters, psychologically well-motivated characters subjected to crisis leading to suffering and self- recognition - including a higher law above man characters subjected to crisis leading to suffering and self- recognition - including a higher law above man

3. Characteristics of Sophocles’ Plays cont’d: exposition carefully motivated exposition carefully motivated scenes suspensefully climactic scenes suspensefully climactic action clear and logical action clear and logical poetry clear and beautiful poetry clear and beautiful few elaborate visual effects few elaborate visual effects theme emphasized: the choices of people theme emphasized: the choices of people

4. Greek Theater

5. Parts of the Greek Theater Orchestra (“dancing space”)- space where the chorus would dance, sing, and interact with the actors who were on the stage near the skene Theatron (“viewing-place”)- place where the spectators sat

6. Parts of the Greek Theater Skene (“tent”)-the building directly behind the stage that had at least one set of doors where actors could make entrances and exits Parodos (“passageways”)-are the paths by which the chorus and some actors made their entrances and exits. The audience also used them to enter and exit the theater before and after the performance.

7. Structure of Greek Tragedies Prologue Spoken by one or two characters before the chorus appears. The prologue usually gives the mythological background necessary for understanding the events of the play

8. Structure of Greek Tragedies Parados This is the song sung by the chorus as it first enters the orchestra and dances.

9. Structure of Greek Tragedies First Episode This is the first of many "episodes", when the characters and chorus talk.

10. Structure of Greek Tragedies First Stasimon At the end of each episode, the other characters usually leave the stage and the chorus dances and sings a stasimon, or choral ode. The ode usually reflects on the things said and done in the episodes, and puts it into some kind of larger mythological framework.

11. Structure of Greek Tragedies Exodos At the end of play, the At the end of play, the chorus exits singing a processional song which usually offers words of wisdom related to the actions and outcome of the play.

12. Actors and Acting Actors were usually semi-professional Actors were usually semi-professional Tragedies typically included 3 actors Tragedies typically included 3 actors Typically played more than one role Typically played more than one role Men played all roles on stage Men played all roles on stage

13. Actors and Acting Function of the Chorus 1. an agent: gives advice, asks, takes part 2. establishes ethical framework, sets up standard by which action will be judged 3. ideal spectator - reacts as playwright hopes audience would 4. sets mood and heightens dramatic effects 5. adds movement, spectacle, song, and dance 6. rhythmical function - pauses / paces the action so that the audience can reflect.

14. Literary Terms Tragedy A serious play in which the chief character passes through a series of misfortunes leading to a final, devastating catastrophe.

15. Tragedy cont’d Act I introduces the characters in a state of happiness, or at the height of their power, influence, or fame Act I introduces the characters in a state of happiness, or at the height of their power, influence, or fame Act II introduces a problem or dilemma Act II introduces a problem or dilemma Act III problem reaches a point of crisis, but which can still be successfully averted Act III problem reaches a point of crisis, but which can still be successfully averted Act IV the main characters fail to avert or crisis, and this disaster occurs Act IV the main characters fail to avert or crisis, and this disaster occurs Act V reveals the grim consequences of that failure Act V reveals the grim consequences of that failure

16. Literary Terms Hubris implies both arrogant, excessive self-pride or self- confidence implies both arrogant, excessive self-pride or self- confidence Inability to recognize personal limitations or the humble need to improve constantly leads to overwhelming pride, and this in turn leads to a downfall Inability to recognize personal limitations or the humble need to improve constantly leads to overwhelming pride, and this in turn leads to a downfall

17. Literary Terms Hamartia “missing the mark” “missing the mark” Signifies a tragic flaw, especially a misperception, a lack of some important insight, or some blindness that ironically results from one's own strengths and abilities leading to a catastrophic results Signifies a tragic flaw, especially a misperception, a lack of some important insight, or some blindness that ironically results from one's own strengths and abilities leading to a catastrophic results the very trait that makes the individual noteworthy is what ultimately causes the protagonist's decline into disaster the very trait that makes the individual noteworthy is what ultimately causes the protagonist's decline into disaster

18. Literary Terms Arete A humble and constant striving for perfection and self-improvement combined with a realistic awareness that such perfection cannot be reached A humble and constant striving for perfection and self-improvement combined with a realistic awareness that such perfection cannot be reached As long as an individual strives to do and be the best, that individual has arête As long as an individual strives to do and be the best, that individual has arête When the individual believes he has actually achieved arête, however, he or she has lost that exalted state and fallen into When the individual believes he has actually achieved arête, however, he or she has lost that exalted state and fallen into

19. Themes in Oedipus Rex 1. Quest for identity 2. Nature of innocence and guilt 3. Nature of moral responsibility 4. Human will versus fate 5. Abuse of power

20. 1. Have you heard of ways in which one’s destiny can be predicted? Give 2 examples. 2. How did ancient peoples prophesize the future? 3. Do you believe in prophesies? Explain why or why not. Individually, answer the following questions…

21. Can you name any political leader(s) who has made a mistake which cost them their career (or even lives)? What motivated them to make the mistake? What motivated them to make the mistake? Can you think of any examples where pride was the major factor? Can you think of any examples where pride was the major factor?