Aristotle defined tragedy as "the imitation of an action that is serious and also, as having magnitude,

complete in itself."

Tragedy &The Tragic Hero

Greek DramaThe origin of drama as we know it todayGreek plays were inspired by religion and mythsThespis = lyric poet; introduced the use of a single actor on

stage in addition to the chorus. The word “thespian” comes from his name.

Greek DramaFestival of Dionysus = Greek religious festival; introduced

Drama competitionAeschylus, Euripides, and Sophocles presented plays at the

festival of DionysusAt festivals both tragedies and comedies were presented.

Comedies offered some relief from the tragedies (comic relief)

Greek Drama examines…The consequences of an individual’s actionsThe relationship of the people to the godsThe role that fate plays in life

TragedyWisdom comes alone through suffering.”

- AeschylusA form of drama where the protagonist comes to an unhappy

end.

The three unities of Greek dramaUnity of action: the action should be one story line that

maintains the interest of the audienceUnity of place: the action should be limited to a single

locationUnity of time: the time represented should be limited to at

most one single day

A tragic hero is:Larger than life; seems invincibleNeither exceptionally virtuous or exceptionally evilOften a lonely characterSet against a force that is often incomprehensible to him/herIllustrates human smallness in relation to the universe

(cont.) A tragic hero is:Nobler than the common citizen and is often of royal birthEndowed with a tragic flaw, and doomed to make a serious

error in judgment because of this flawWill fall from high esteemWill realize they have made an irreversible mistake

(cont.) A tragic hero is:Will face death with honorWill meet a tragic end/deathInevitably destroyed because of some tragic flaw

Tragic Wheel

HamartiaTragic Flaw

AnagnorisisRecognition

PeripeteiaReversal

CatharsisPurging of Emotions

Tragic Hero

Tragic Wheel

Hamartia“Tragic flaw”The hero is neither good nor evil, but rather very human

with a moral weakness or errorHubris or “excessive pride” is a common hamartia.

Anagnorisis“Recognition”This is the moment of comprehension when our tragic hero

becomes aware of his hamartia.Typically at this point the hero will attempt to rectify events

all to no avail.

Peripeteia“The reversal from one state of affairs to its opposite” This is the point at which the hero realizes all is lost.

Catharsis“The purging of emotions by the audience.”A good tragedy will evoke both pity and fear in the audience.All of the destructive actions that take place at the close of

the drama lead to the release of this emotion.

Chorus Group of 12-15 men who sing and dance in the orchestra

during the plays. They often represent the collective community, but not necessarily the poet's thoughts. The leader of the chorus was called the Choragus. This person would often step forward to speak with the protagonist.

Organization of a Greek TragedyThe 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:

Conventions of a Greek TragedyAll of the actors were men.Plays were performed outdoors. Playwrights usually directed and acted in their own plays.Typically there were only three actors and the chorus. If

there were more than three characters the actors would simply change masks.

Conventions of a Greek Tragedy (cont.)The actors wore masks in order to: have their characters be

easily recognized by the audience, be heard by the audience (they contained megaphones), and to play multiple roles.

Greek plays were performed as part of religious festivals in honor of the god Dionysus, and unless later revived, were performed only once.

Greek Masks

Conventions of a Greek Tragedy (cont.)Tragedies almost exclusively dealt with stories from the

mythic past (there was no "contemporary" tragedy).Plays were funded by the polis (the “city state”), and always

presented in competition with other plays, and were voted either the first, second, or third (last) place.

Conventions of a Greek Tragedy (cont.)Greek tragedies examined:

the consequences of an individual’s actions.the relationship of people to the gods.the role fate plays in life.

Sophocles (496-406 BC)Sophocles lived during the Classical Period in Athens,

Greece (5th century B.C.)classical period = a time of great political and cultural

achievement; a renaissance of sortsSophocles was loved by the people of Greece; held political

positions in addition to writing great dramas

Sophocles (496-406 BC)Sophocles demonstrates great insight into human sufferingSophocles’ writing explores

the struggle for self-knowledge.the conflict between personal and social values.

Only seven of Sophocles’ 123 plays survive today.

3 Facts 1 Visual

The ParthenonThe AcropolisThe Theater of DionysusThe Oracle of DelphiDionysusAeschylusSophoclesEuripidesThespisAristotle

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English 2/Greek Tragedy

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