1. Greek Tragedy

2. Structure of Tragic Plays: Prologue Parodos Epeisodion/Episode Ode Strophe Antistrophe Epode Exodus Epilogue

3. Functions of the Chorus A) Announce the approach, entrance, or departure of a character B) Comment on what is said and done C) Philosophize on the characters and life in general D) Summarize the action E) Act as a unifying device

4. Play Characteristics All-male Cast Never more than 3 characters on the stage at a time plus a 15 member Chorus All actors wore masks—”personae” Tragic actors wore vestment-like robes and possibly platform shoes to heighten their stature Comic actors wore common clothing and socks to lower their stature

6. Play Characteristics Subject Matter: Based on well-known myths and legends. Classical Unities: Time Place Action Decorum: No violence is shown on stage. The audience’s focus of interest is on the effects of the actions. Lots of emotions, little action.

7. Aristotelian Characteristics of Tragedy 1) 1) Tragedy arouses the emotions of pity and fear, wonder and awe. 2) 2) The tragic hero must be a man or woman capable of great suffering. Must be a person of note (king or prince) who starts high and ends low. 3) 3) Tragedy explores the question of the ways of the gods to mortals—FATE 4) 4) Tragedy purifies the emotions and cleanses the baser qualities in man—catharsis

8. Aristotelian Characteristics of Tragedy 5) 5) The tragic hero undergoes a crucial change in his/her affairs for better or for worse. 6) 6) Tragic hero is brought to disaster by a single flaw in his/her character—hamartia. The fall is precipitated by an error—not a vice. The hero must be someone whom the audience admires. Hamartia—Tragic Flaw Hubris—Sin of Pride Catharsis—Purging the Lower Instincts.

10. Sources http://www.cnr.edu/home/bmcmanus/tragedy http://www.didaskalia.net/issues/vol6no4/bosher.html http://www.staginggreekdrama.com/StagingGreekDrama/Greek_Thea tre.html -Marie-Lan Nguyen / Wikimedia Commons