Ancient Greek Theatre and Oedipus Rex Theatre Diagram

Ancient Greek Theatre and Oedipus Rex

Theatre Diagram

Parts of the Theatre n n n Theatron: (literally, "viewing-place") is where the spectators sat. The theatron was usually part of hillside overlooking the orchestra. Skene: (literally, "tent") was the building directly behind the stage. Actors made entrances/ exits through doors. Parodos: The parodoi (literally, "passageways") are the paths by which the chorus and some actors made their entrances and exits. q q If someone was entering from the right parodos, that meant that he was coming from the city or the port. If he was coming from the left parodos, he was supposed to come from the fields or abroad.

Parts of the Theatre n n Orchestra: (literally, "dancing space") was normally circular. It was a level space where the chorus would dance, sing, and interact with the actors. Proskenion: (“in front of the skene”) The columned space just in front of the skene; it separates the stage from the audience

Parts of the Play n n n The prologue usually gives the mythological background necessary for understanding the events of the play. Parodos: This is the song sung by the chorus as it first enters the orchestra and dances Episode (Episodia): There are several of these, and they are where the action and dialobue takes place between the characters and the chorus. Each episode is followed by a stasimon.

Parts of the Play n n 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. Exodos: The final scene of the play; the chorus exits singing a processional song which usually offers words of wisdom related to the actions and outcome of the play.

Other Theatre Terms n n n Deus ex machina: This was a device used to resolve plot complications and/or to get the protagonist out of a complicated conflict. A “god” was lowered onto the stage via machinery and would resolve the problem Strophe and antistrophe: Two of the most basic and important movements of the chorus; basically alternating verses of the stasimons. Chiton (or chition): The robe used as a costume by the actors Cothornous The boots or shoes the actors wore Ekeclema: One of the kinds of machinery used in Greek Theatre

Terms for Greek Tragedy n Hubris: overextended pride or insolence that usually leads to the downfall of the protagonist q Causes the protagonist to n n n break a moral law attempt to overcome normal human limitations ignore divine warning

Terms for Greek Tragedy n n Hamartia: the protagonist’s (or tragic hero’s) tragic flaw Catharsis: Purging of emotions; according to Aristotle, through pity and terror Anagnorisis: (Recognition) The point in the play when the tragic hero understands fully the situation —leads to the peripeteia Peripeteia: The reversal of fortune of the protagonist; usually a loss in status and/or downfall (many times the death of the protagonist)

Aristotle and Tragedy, then, is an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude…” n Plot: Aristotle defines plot as “the arrangement of the incidents”: i. e. , not the story itself but the way the incidents are presented to the audience, the structure of the play. q q q The plot must be “a whole, ” with a beginning, middle, and end The plot must be “complete, ” having “unity of action” The plot must be “of a certain magnitude, ” or seriousness

Aristotle and Tragedy, con’t Character has the second place in importance n q q q “good or fine. ” “fitness of character” (true to type); “true to life” (realistic) “consistency” (true to themselves). “true to life and yet more beautiful” (idealized, ennobled).

More on Aristotle n n Thought is third in importance, and is found “where something is proved to be or not to be, or a general maxim is enunciated. ” Diction is fourth, and is “the expression of the meaning in words” which are proper and appropriate to the plot, characters, and end of the tragedy Song, or melody, is fifth, and is the musical element of the chorus. Spectacle is last, for it is least connected with literature; “the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet. ”

Oedipus Facts n The Oedipus Plays: Antigone, Oedipus Rex, and Oedipus at Colonus (Also known as the Oedipus Cycle) q n n Oedipus Rex is alternatively known as Oedipus Tyrannus (Oedipus the Tyrant) Oedipus’ Children: Daughters: Antigone, Ismene; Sons: Eteocles, Polynices “Oedipus” means swollen foot

More Oedipus Facts n “Oedipus Complex” was identified by the psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud; it is where children see their fathers as rivals for the attention of their mothers. Usually applied to boys/men.

Miscellaneous Facts n n Tragedy means “goat song” and is related to the sacrifices made at the Dionysian festivals; and the chorus dressed in goat skins to accompany the sacrifice Thespis and Greek Theatre: q q Developed the main idea of tragedy—where the actors, not the chorus, spoke the dialogue His name is the root for “thespian” which means “actor”

Answers to the questions not already covered n n Great Tragedians of Ancient Athens: Sophocles, Aeschylus, Euripides, Aristophanes Reasons for masks: q q q Different roles Magnified actors’ voices No female actors

Sophocles n n Sophocles was born near Athens, in the city of Colonus, in the year 496 B. C. He recieved the first prize for tragic drama at the play competition during 468 B. C. He wrote over one hundred plays for the Athenian theatres and won about twenty-four contests. Of Sophocles' one hundred plays only seven survived to this day.