Greek Tragedy: Oedipus the King Prentice Hall Literature World Masterpieces
Background: Sophocles enjoyed a comfortable life in a well-to-do family age 28--won the wreath in his first play competition --Antigone wrote 123 plays/7 survived intact end of Sophocles' life--Peloponnesian War/time of political turmoil
Background: Oedipus Rex (tragedy) - a serious drama featuring a noble, dignified main character (often a member of royalty) who strives to achieve something and is ultimately defeated (tragic flaw) - a character flaw or weakness that eventually leads to a character's downfall
Aristotle’s Definition of a Tragic Hero 1. Should be ruler or leader 2. Of good character (neither exceptionally virtuous nor exceptionally evil) 3. Tragic hero goes through one or more reversals of fortune, leading to a final recognition of truth
Aristotle’s Definition of a Tragic Hero (cont.) 4. His/her misfortune brought about by some error of judgment or frailty – “hamartia” (tragic flaw) 5. Tragic hero experiences profound suffering in this process 6. Audience should be moved by pity and fear
Festival of Dionysus 4 day celebration in honor of Dionysus, god of wine and revelry plays were performed/competition—highlight of the Festival
Ancient Greek Theater
The Oracle of Delphi Also called Oracle of Apollo Located in Delphi; priests/priestesses of Apollo were believed to have divine knowledge from Apollo Common themes in Greek tragedy involve characters who attempt to circumvent the prophecies of Apollo, always unsuccessfully Theme: No mortal can avoid his/her fate
The Oracle of Delphi
Irony in Oedipus 3 Types of Irony..... Irony is the contrast between what appears to be and what actually exists. 3 Types of Irony..... (verbal irony)—when a character says one thing but means another (situational irony)—what happens is different from what’s expected to happen (dramatic irony)—the audience or reader is aware of critical information that a character does not know
Sophocles' Oedipus Trilogy Sophocles wrote the 3 plays over a 36 year period Antigone was written first 1. --Oedipus Rex (written second) 2. --Oedipus at Colonus (written last) 3. --Antigone (written first)
Random Greek Artifact…Agamemnon’s Death Mask
Ancient Greek theater Delphi
Ancient Greek theater
The Sphynx—Oedipus’ Nemesis