1. Greek Tragedies and Oedipus Rex

2. According to Aristotle’s Poetics drama (tragic writing) should include: Plot- the arrangement of scenes Character- keep true, hero=brave, no noble villains, stay true to the character within the work of literature also Theme- must have a purpose, not just to entertain Language- elevated speech Music- behind the Greek chanting, true to theme Spectacle- wows the senses, extravagant

3. Other Necessary Elements: Hamarteia- tragic flaw, thematically linked Parapeteia- turning point Anagnoresis- recognition, lead character must realize he/she was wrong Pathos- pain from empathy, the audience must feel it Catharsis- release

4. A Greek Tragic Hero: 1. POSITION. The hero is royal or noble with great power, usually a king. He is a good, respected man who acts out of good intentions. He has much to lose. – Though the tragic hero is pre-eminently great, he/she is not perfect. Otherwise, the rest of us-- mere mortals--would be unable to identify with the tragic hero. We should see in him or her someone who is essentially like us, although perhaps elevated to a higher position in society.

5. 2. TRAGIC FLAW (hamartia). In spite of his good intentions, the hero makes a tragic error which causes his reversal. The error usually stems from a character flaw, usually pride (hubris – arrogant pride or over-confidence). – The hero's downfall, therefore, is partially her/his own fault, the result of free choice, not of accident or villainy or some overriding, malignant fate. In fact, the tragedy is usually triggered by some error of judgment or some character flaw that contributes to the hero's lack of perfection noted above.

6. 3. REVERSAL (Parapeteia- ). Because of his tragic error, the hero suffers a downfall from his happy, envied position to suffering and misery. 4. RECOGNITION (Anagnoresis- ). The hero realizes that his own flaw or error has caused his reversal. This recognition always occurs too late for the hero to prevent or escape his reversal. The fall is not pure loss. There is some increase in awareness, some gain in self-knowledge, some discovery on the part of the tragic hero.

7. The Use of Masks Masks were used instead of costume changes since only 3 actors played all of the roles Masks had exaggerated facial expressions to show emotion They also acted as megaphones

8. The Role of Women? First in Asia Not in Europe until the 1400s Europe- first in Italy, second in France England? Not until the late 1660s! » The roles of Medea, Antigone, etc…would have been played by men with feminine masks

9. Greek Tragedy Structure: The basic structure of a Greek tragedy is fairly simple. After a prologue spoken by one or more characters, the chorus enters, singing and dancing. Scenes then alternate between spoken sections (dialogue between characters and between characters and chorus) and sung sections (during which the chorus danced). Here are the basic parts of a Greek Tragedy:

10. a. 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. b. Parodos: This is the song sung by the chorus as it first enters the orchestra and dances. c. First Episode: This is the first of many "episodes" when the characters and chorus talk.

11. d. 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. For the rest of the play, there is alternation between episodes and stasima, until the final scene, called the... e. Exodos: 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. Women in Ancient Greece Only adult men were considered citizens Foreigners, women, children, and slaves all inferior Women always under the guardianship of a male Although many plays show powerful and clever women, this was not representative of the Greek society

13. Around age 14 women entered an arranged marriage with an older man for the purpose of creating legitimate children Separate women’s quarters in the homes Women did not attend dinner parties or appear at many public events with spouse Society expected men to have sexual relationships outside of marriage The word adultery was solely defined as a woman cheating on her husband It was a crime against her husband because he would not be able to claim her children as legitimately his heirs

14. SOPHOCLES: The Playwright

15. Basic Background: Although Sophocles died more than 24 centuries ago, he continues to live today in his plays as one of the history’s greatest writers. Only seven of his 123 dramas survive intact. His themes---justice, pride, obstinacy, flawed humanity, and the struggle between destiny and free will---are as timely today as they were in his own time.

16. More Basic Info: He was born a mile northwest of Athens in 496 B.C. in a town called Colonus. He was a child of advantage, enjoying the comforts of the privileged and receiving an education that undergirded his natural talents. He studied poetry, dance, philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, law, athletics, and military tactics. He was a man of the people: kindly, generous, and popular. Sophocles died about year 405.

17. Oedipus the King: characters Oedipus (ed-i-pus): The protagonist of Oedipus the King and Oedipus at Colonus. Oedipus becomes king of Thebes before the action of Oedipus the King begins. He is renowned for his intelligence and his ability to solve riddles—he saved the city of Thebes and was made its king by solving the riddle of the Sphinx, the supernatural being that had held the city captive

18. Jocasta: Queen of Thebes; husband is killed before story begins and she marries Oedipus Creon: brother of Queen (bro-in-law to Oedipus) Tiresias: Tiresias, the blind soothsayer (fortune teller) of Thebes, appears in both Oedipus the King and Antigone

19. Oedipus Rex: Things To Be Looking For (themes, motifs, literary devices, etc.): Sight v Blindness Fate v Free Will The Crossroads Wisdom v Knowledge Power Determination Irony (dramatic, verbal, situational) (dramatic—audience knows something characters do not, verbal-character says something contradictory—think “sarcasm”, situational—outcome contrary to what is expected)

20. LAIOS JOCASTA OEDIPUS MARRIED CREON SIBLINGS UNCLE POLYNEICES ETEOCLES ANTIGONE ISMENE SIBLINGS SON MARRIED KILL EACH OTHER IN BATTLE ENGAGED Visual Aid for “Who’s Who”