Greek Tragedy Oedipus Rex By Sophocles Tragedies do
Greek Tragedy Oedipus Rex By Sophocles
Tragedies do not end well…
According to Aristotle… a hero should have “ a character between these two extremes—that of a man [or a woman] who is not preeminently good and just, yet whose misfortune is brought about not by vice or depravity, but by some error in judgment or frailty”
Hamartia—”tragic flaw” that usually takes the form of hubris, which is excessive pride or arrogance
Plot of tragedy according to Aristotle…. Hero goes through reversals of fortune • Suffers and this suffering leads to… • Final recognition of truth that has been previously hidden (“Duh” moment) •
At the end of the tragedy… The audience experiences catharsis, or purgation, which is the feeling that occurs when members of an audience witness deep suffering of a tragic hero and their emotions of pity and fear lead them to a new sense of self-awareness and renewal
Structure of Greek Drama
Prologue l Greek l The drama begins with the Prologue’s purpose is to give background information to situate the conflict.
Parodos – first ode l Choral song chanted by the chorus as they enter the area in front of the stage.
The Odes – follow each scene l Serves to l Also allowed the separate one chorus’s scene from response to the another (since preceding scene. there were no curtains in Greek theaters).
Parts of the Ode l Strophe – part of the ode that the chorus chants as it moves from right to left across the stage. l Antistrophe – part of the ode chanted as the chorus moves back across the stage from left to right.
First Scene l Following the Parodos, the first scene presents the conflict of the play.
Paean l. A (follows scene 5) hymn in praise of a god.
Exodos l. Final scene of the play.
Greek Theater Terms l Dialogue—conversation between two or more characters l Orchestra—semi-circular space in front of the stage used by the chorus l Choragos—leader of the chorus l Chorus—company of performers whose singing, dancing, and narration provides explanation and elaboration on the main action
l Prologue—opening scene l Parados—entrance song of the chorus l Strophe—song sung by the chorus as it turns from one side of the orchestra to the other l Antistrophe—song sung while the chorus moves in the direction opposite from that of the strophe l Ode—song chanted by the chorus that separates one scene from the next l Exodos—concluding scene
Deus Ex Machina The term was first used in ancient Greek and Roman drama, where it meant the timely appearance of a god to unravel and resolve the plot. The deus ex machina was named for the convention of the god’s appearing in the sky, an effect achieved by means of a crane (Greek: mēchanē). The dramatic device dates from the 5 th century BC; a god appears in Sophocles’ Philoctetes and in most of the plays of Euripides to solve a crisis by divine intervention. l Since ancient times, the phrase has also been applied to an unexpected saviour or to an improbable event that brings order out of chaos (e. g. , the arrival, in time to avert tragedy, of the U. S. cavalry in a western film). l
Parts of a Greek Theater l Parados---area of procession as chorus moves in and out l Skene—(scene)—subdivision of a play presenting continuous action in one place for a period of time l Theatron—(theater)—area where audience enjoys the performance
The Greek Actor Citizens were expected to participate in the chorus • Only men allowed to act • Women, if allowed to attend a performance, sat in the nose-bleed seats •
Greek Actors Hero had huge costume which added size and distinction to his role • Chiton—long, flowing robe, dyed in symbolic colors with a great deal of padding underneath to give a broader, more life-life appearance. • Cothurni—high platform shoes to add height •
This costume…. l Limited mobility which resulted in stock gestures or movements l Head down for despair l Fists raised for fury l Properties—(Props) to be used
Sophocles l In 468 BC, Aeschylus was defeated in the tragedy competition by Sophocles' contribution to drama was the addition of a third actor and an emphasis on drama between humans rather than between humans and gods. Sophocles was a fine craftsman. Aristotle used Sophocles' play, Oedipus Rex for his classic analysis of drama, The Poetics. Sophocles' plays are suffused with irony. In The Oedipus Trilogy, Oedipus seeks the truth about his father's murder. The truth that awaits him, however, is that he is the murderer. Click here for a summary of the 'Oedipus Trilogy'. In Electra, the hunted murderer Aegisthus finds the identity of a body under a blanket is Orestes, the man who has relentlessly hunted him and his lover, Clytemnestra. He is relieved that he has escaped justice. However, when he lifts the blanket he discovers the body is that of his lover Clytemnestra. Orestes has indeed caught up with him. Sophocles' plays are about the folly of arrogance and the wisdom of accepting fate. Sophocles believed in the Greek gods, but his plays are
GREEK MASK OR PERSONA l l l Helped to identify the specific character Related to “everyman” Served as: Megaphone l Symbol to distinguish role l Identified age, sex, mood, and rank l
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