Sophocles Oedipus the King l Ancient Greek drama
- Slides: 17
Sophocles’ Oedipus the King l. Ancient Greek drama l. Oedipus is one of a trilogy l. Antigone and. Oedipus at Colonus are the other two l. Easily one of the most famous of the Greek plays
Greek Drama l Performed in large, open-air theaters l Theater of Epidauros
Greek Drama l Theater of Epidauros
Greek Drama Players used masks to depict emotions
Greek Drama A timeline… http: //www. arlymasks. com/timeline. htm
Oedipus confronts the Sphinx l. Detail from a vase painting
Oedipus confronts the Sphinx l Another vase detail. l How is the emphasis of this depiction different from the previous vase?
Oedipus confronts the Sphinx
The Sphinx l. A statue of the Sphinx, called the Naxian Sphinx (made from Naxian marble) l Created 570 -560 B. C. l Discovered at Delphi in 1861
Oedipus the King l. The kingdom of Thebes is suffering from a terrible plague. l“For the city…can no longer lift her head from beneath the angry waves of death. ”
Oedipus the King l The kingdom of Thebes is suffering from a terrible plague. l“A blight has fallen on the fruitful blossoms of the land, the herds among the pastures, the barren pangs of women.
Oedipus the King l The kingdom of Thebes is suffering from a terrible plague. l“And the flaming god, the malign plague, has swooped upon us, and ravages the town: he lays waste to the house of Cadmus, but enriches Hades with groans and tears. ”
Oedipus the King l. Oedipus sends Creon to visit the oracle at Delphi-the temple of Apollo— to discover how Thebes can be saved.
The Temple of Apollo
The Temple of Apollo
Oedipus the King l The oracle at Delphi tells Creon that the murderers of Laius, the previous king of Thebes, must be brought to justice or the plague will continue. l “What is sought for can be caught; only that which is not watched escapes. ”
l. Oedipus the King vows to seek the murderers out himself. “Avenging Laius, therefore, I serve myself. ” • But is he asking for trouble? “For with the god's help our good fortune--or our ruin-will be made certain. ”
