SOPHOCLES 496 B C E 406 B C

SOPHOCLES 496 B. C. E. - 406 B. C. E. • Born at Colonus in Attica, c. 496 B. C. E. (1 mile from Athens) • Sophocles was one of the three great tragedians who lived in Athens. The others were Aeschylus (The Oresteia) and Euripides (Medea, Electra). • The Athenians considered Sophocles to be their most successful playwright. • Aristotle's Poetics repeatedly cites Oedipus the King as the most perfect example of a tragedy. • Famous Trilogy: Oedipus the King (Oedipus Rex), Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone

• General, Political Leader, and Priest • He replaced existing playwright Aeschylus as most popular playwright. • Sophocles wrote over 120 tragedies. Yet only SEVEN survive! • He introduced a third actor, painted sets, and increased the size of the chorus.

• At the Festival of Dionysos, where playwrights competed to have their plays performed. . . • Sophocles won first prize 24 times and second prize 7 times out of the 31 times he entered. • Dying at the age of 90, Sophocles’ writing examines his concerns about life, including: • Finding one’s place in the moral and cosmic orders • Being cautious towards pride and religious indifference

Tragedy

GREEK THEATER skene theatron proskenion parodos chorus orchestra

• A literary tragedy presents courageous individuals who confront powerful forces within or outside themselves with a dignity that reveals the breadth and depth of the human spirit in the face of failure, defeat, and even death

Hamartia • The term Aristotle described as “some error or frailty” that brings about the protagonist’s misfortune is hamartia. This word has been frequently interpreted to mean that the protagonist’s fall is the result of an internal tragic flaw, such as an excess in pride, ambition, passion, or some other character trait that leads to disaster.

Hamartia Maybe better to translate the word to mean “mistake. ” The protagonist will mistakenly bring about his own downfall, not because he is sinful or morally weak, but because he does not know enough.

Reversal (peripeteia) • The point when the hero’s fortunes turn in an unexpected direction. Typically, a selfdestructive action taken in blindness that leads to a diametrically opposed result from what was intended

Recognition (anagnorisis) • The protagonist recognizes the consequences of his actions – moves from ignorance to knowledge

Catharsis • Aristotle described catharsis as a purgation of the emotions of “pity and fear. ” We are faced with the protagonist’s misfortune, which often seems out of proportion to his or her actions, and so we are likely to feel compassionate pity. Simultaneously, we may experience fear because the failure of the protagonist, who is so great in stature and power, is a frightening reminder of our own vulnerabilities.

The Oedipus Myth