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