sophocles the greatest of greek playwrights 496 – 406 bc ? wrote 120 tragedies festival of...
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SophoclesThe Greatest of Greek Playwrights
496 – 406 BC ?• Wrote 120 tragedies
• Festival of Dionysus
• Moral lesson
• Introduced painted sets
• “Theban Tragedies”
• 40 years
• King Oedipus of Thebes
• Started with Antigone
The Greeks…
Characteristics of the CHORUS
15 men Sang lyric poetry Performing was regarded as a civic duty Wore robes and masks
Function of the CHORUS
Often the voice of reason in the play Reflected upon what happened Asked or answered questions Advised central characters Separated scenes of action
The Greeks…
Were notable for clarity of thought Symmetrical, logical, balanced = UNITY Purpose of drama was to entertain, educate
and raise questions Ambiguous: what is right? Wrong?
Terms for Greek Theatre
Antistrophe Strophe Choragos Ode Orchestra Parados
Paean Prologue Skene Theatron Thespian Tragedy (see Aristotle)
FORM is IMPORTANT
There must be complete UNITY: Time Place Action
Aristotle: THE POETICS The function of tragedy is to arouse pity
and fear in the audience so that we may be purged, or cleansed, of these unsettling
emotions - Catharsis
Tragic Hero
Why read TRAGEDY?
Strength of character Perseverance Courage Inspiration The dignity of the
human spirit
Oedipus Rex
