Oedipus the King Oedipus Rex by Sophocles By Amy Bennett, GMHS

Ancient Greece Scavenger Hunt! Write down everything you know about… Greece: Greece: Delphi: Delphi: Athens: Athens: The Parthenon: The Parthenon: Olympia: Olympia: Corinth: Corinth: Mt. Olympus: Mt. Olympus:

Sophocles- renown Greek playwright Born in Colonus, Greece (near Athens) around 496 B.C. Born in Colonus, Greece (near Athens) around 496 B.C. Had the best teachers available during that time Had the best teachers available during that time Wrote music, lyrics, and scripts Wrote music, lyrics, and scripts Time Period- When Greece finally became free of Persian rule. Time Period- When Greece finally became free of Persian rule. Was an active participant in the affairs of the democratic state Was an active participant in the affairs of the democratic state Was the first person to add a third person on stage. Was the first person to add a third person on stage. Composed and directed his plays at the festival of the god Dionysus. Sophocles wrote 123 plays; only seven of them have come down to us complete. Composed and directed his plays at the festival of the god Dionysus. Sophocles wrote 123 plays; only seven of them have come down to us complete. Oedipus the King is regarded as “ the ” dramatic masterpiece of ancient tragedy. Oedipus the King is regarded as “ the ” dramatic masterpiece of ancient tragedy. “ Way to GO, Sophocles. You ’ re an artist! Way to make history. ”

Ancient Greek Theatre One of the greatest achievements of fifth century Athens was the development of the theater, the first in the Western World. One of the greatest achievements of fifth century Athens was the development of the theater, the first in the Western World. The theater had a seating capacity of 14,000. The theater had a seating capacity of 14,000. Did you know the ancient theatre began as a dance? Did you know the ancient theatre began as a dance? The oldest element of the theatre was the chorus, a team of dancers. ( “ choreography ” ) The oldest element of the theatre was the chorus, a team of dancers. ( “ choreography ” ) A group of individuals would dance in masks. A group of individuals would dance in masks. So, how did this dance become the production it is today? So, how did this dance become the production it is today? P.S. The Hollywood Bowl seats 17,000!

The Theatre, Original Hollywood The theatre was used for religious purposes and was always for Dionysus. The theatre was used for religious purposes and was always for Dionysus. You could only go to “ the theatre ” during the 3 day festival for Dionysus. (Imagine only being able to see a movie 3 times a year!) You could only go to “ the theatre ” during the 3 day festival for Dionysus. (Imagine only being able to see a movie 3 times a year!) The first audience helped decide on who won, but only after they watched 3 plays in a row, for 3 days straight. The first audience helped decide on who won, but only after they watched 3 plays in a row, for 3 days straight. The first audiences were not just the “ privileged, ” those who could afford a ticket; everyone could get a ticket!!!! The first audiences were not just the “ privileged, ” those who could afford a ticket; everyone could get a ticket!!!! The audience was given an image of his own life; not only as he sees it, but as the divine sees it too. The audience was given an image of his own life; not only as he sees it, but as the divine sees it too. Read description from Norton pp

How is this similar to events today? The Hollywood Bowl Macy’s Parade

The images given to us by early entertainment. Ajax impales himself on a sword Ajax impales himself on a sword Philoctetes screams in pain because of his infected foot Philoctetes screams in pain because of his infected foot Evadne throws herself on the burning funeral pyre of her husband Evadne throws herself on the burning funeral pyre of her husband Prometheus has an iron wedge driven through his chest Prometheus has an iron wedge driven through his chest and Oedipus, ……well, you ’ ll see and Oedipus, ……well, you ’ ll see

The Chorus, as seen in Greek theater A group of masked performers A group of masked performers This group represented the city ’ s “ people ” This group represented the city ’ s “ people ” Remained on stage the entire production for the “ odes ”. Remained on stage the entire production for the “ odes ”. They would dance, sing, and play instruments for these “ odes, ” and it took awhile before they began leaving this aspect of the theatre “ out. ” They would dance, sing, and play instruments for these “ odes, ” and it took awhile before they began leaving this aspect of the theatre “ out. ” Euripides began treating them as “ musical interludes ” between scenes. Euripides began treating them as “ musical interludes ” between scenes. Sophocles used them to make Sophocles used them to make political references toward social and religious relevance. Remember, the Greek word chorus means “ dance ” not song.

Literary Component: Define dramatic irony Let ’ s review: dramatic, verbal, & situational Let ’ s review: dramatic, verbal, & situational Because of oral tradition, Sophocles grew up knowing about Athenian ’ s men, and about Oedipus Because of oral tradition, Sophocles grew up knowing about Athenian ’ s men, and about Oedipus Therefore, when the Greeks went to this show, the audience knew Oedipus ’ s his fate. Therefore, when the Greeks went to this show, the audience knew Oedipus ’ s his fate. Everything said by the characters in the play means more to the audience than does it to the speaker. Everything said by the characters in the play means more to the audience than does it to the speaker. That way, the audience is in the position of the gods, and is able to see That way, the audience is in the position of the gods, and is able to see

Oedipus- Exposition The story from the eyes of the Greeks was old, strange, and terrible Oedipus was born in Thebes to Laius and Jocasta Labdacus Apollo ’ s oracle told the new parents- Oedipus will kill his father and marry his mother After bolting the child ’ s feet together, Laius and Jocasta give the child to a servant shepherd to leave on Mt. Kithairon for dead. The servant shepherd pities the child and gives him to another shepherd. Oedipus is raised in Corinth by Polybus and Merope unaware of his past. Until one day, a drunken man tells Oedipus- You are not your father ’ s son! the shephard with baby Oedipus Paris, 490 B.C.

Oedipus- Exposition continued Oedipus visits Apollo ’ s oracle and the priestess tells him his fate- you will kill your father and marry your mother Oedipus visits Apollo ’ s oracle and the priestess tells him his fate- you will kill your father and marry your mother Oedipus flees Corinth in fear that this prophecy will come true Oedipus flees Corinth in fear that this prophecy will come true As he flees, he comes to a point where 3 roads meet. In his rage, he kills a carriage full of men, although one escapes. As he flees, he comes to a point where 3 roads meet. In his rage, he kills a carriage full of men, although one escapes. Oedipus arrives in Thebes and helps the people by solving the riddle of the sphinx. Oedipus arrives in Thebes and helps the people by solving the riddle of the sphinx. For his bravery and wisdom, Oedipus is rewarded- He will be the next king of Thebes! For his bravery and wisdom, Oedipus is rewarded- He will be the next king of Thebes! He is then introduced to his new queen, Lady Jocasta. He is then introduced to his new queen, Lady Jocasta. Oedipus and the Sphinx

And now for your entertainment.. Oedipus has ruled Thebes well for many years. Oedipus has ruled Thebes well for many years. He has had 2 daughters with his queen Jocasta; Antigone and Ismene, and 2 sons. He has had 2 daughters with his queen Jocasta; Antigone and Ismene, and 2 sons. Until one day, a plague breaks out in Thebes. Until one day, a plague breaks out in Thebes. People, crops, and animals are dieing. People, crops, and animals are dieing. The priests of Thebes go to their king to save them once again. The priests of Thebes go to their king to save them once again. ……………………….and now our play begins