greek drama and oedipus rex intro to myth. greek theater
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Greek Drama and Oedipus Rex
Intro to Myth
Greek Theater
Greek Theatre: Main components
Theatron: literally, the “watching place”
Orchestra: literally, the “dancing place”
Skene: “scene,” or backdrop
Actors
3 Actors, all men
Various roles Wore masks Elaborate
gestures, “over-acting”
Chorus
12-15 men Sang and
danced (sort of) the odes
One of the chorus may also play a part in the actual play
Structure of Greek Drama
Prologue The exposition of the play. The Prologue’s purpose is to give
background information to situate the conflict.
The Odes Serve to separate
one scene from another (since there were no curtains in Greek theaters).
Also allowed the chorus’s response to the preceding scene.
Parts of the Ode Strophe – part of
the ode that the chorus chants as it moves from right to left across the stage.
Antistrophe – part of the ode chanted as the chorus moves back across the stage from left to right.
Parodos (first ode) Choral song chanted by the chorus
as they enter the area in front of the stage.
First Scene Following the Parodos, the first
scene presents the conflict of the play.
Paean (follows scene 5)
A hymn in praise of a god.
Exodos Final scene of the play.
Oedipus Rex
Aristotle’s Definition of Tragedy
Any serious and dignified drama that describes a conflict between the hero (protagonist) and a superior force (antagonist)
Reaches a sorrowful conclusion that arouses pity or fear in the audience (catharsis)
Recognition and Reversal Recognition is a change from
ignorance to knowledge. The new knowledge often identifies an
unknown relative or dear one whom the hero should cherish but was about to harm or has just harmed.
Reversal is a change of a situation to its opposite.
Characteristics of the Tragic Hero
The tragic hero: Is not all good or bad Is of the noble class or highly renowned
and prosperous Has a tragic flaw Recognizes his error and accepts the
consequences Arouses the audience’s pity and fear
Sophocles
495-406 B.C.E. Born in Colonus, in Attica
Lived during the Peloponnesian War (Athens v. Sparta) 431-404 B.C.E.
429: Writes Oedipus Rex The play shows his anger
about his society’s turning away from the gods
Plot Summary Oedipus Rex is the story of a king
of Thebes upon whom a hereditary curse is placed and who therefore has to suffer the tragic consequences of fate.
Oedipus protagonist his name means “swollen-foot” he inspires both pity and fear he is wise, revered by his subjects,
and dedicated to the discovery of truth
Jocasta (Iocaste) the wife of Oedipus she alternately condemns and
upholds the authority of the oracles as best suits the direction of the argument at the moment Symbolic of Sophocles’ culture
Laios Former King of Thebes Died before the beginning of the
play Oedipus married Laios’ wife and
inherited his throne
Creon Brother of Jocasta 2nd in command in Thebes
Teiresias Blind prophet of Apollo Highly regarded by most Greeks
Polybos and Merope King and Queen of Corinth Raised Oedipus
Antigone and Ismene Daughters of Oedipus and Jocasta Present in the play, but they do not
speak
Chorus men of Thebes who honor and
respect the king and the gods their odes reveal both a strong
attachment to the king as well as grounding in religious culture
choral odes bring an additional viewpoint to the play
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