Oedipus Rex (The King) by Sophocles

Greek Theater Amphitheater: semi-circle with a central viewing area

Greek Theater - Parts Thih-meh-ley Skee-nee

Greek Theater – Parts Defined Praskenion – dressing room for actors Thymele – altar for god(s), in middle of “stage” Skene – place for scenery Orchestra – where the actors performed, at front of “stage” Theatron – place for audience to sit

Genre: Greek Tragedy Tragedy orignates from “tragos,” which means “goat.” Theory: Winners of festivals would receive a goat as prize. Focused on popular myths and legends (Oedipus, Trojan War, Hercules, Perseus) and the gods and goddesses Examined the consequences of individual actions, the relationship of people to the gods, and the role fate plays in life Best known writers – Aeschylus, Euripides, and Sophocles

Genre’s Characteristics A tragedy is a serious drama featuring a hero or main character, often of noble birth, who strives to achieve something and is ultimately defeated. The structure of most Greek tragedies presents a tight, formal arrangement of parts. Prologue: the opening scene of the play. Parados: the first of the Chorus’s lyric songs, or choral odes. Dialogue: the conversation of the play’s characters. Choral Odes: lyric songs are choral odes. Sophocles treated his chorus as collective “actor.” Exodos: the concluding scene of a play.

Greek Drama One of the oldest forms of drama (6th century) Grew out of religion and myth Performed at religious festivals to honor Dionysus, the god of wine and fertility Only male actors allowed to perform Actors wore masks for 3 main reasons. Characterization and visibility To play various roles with few actors Sound assistance (mouth pieces acted like megaphones) Reasons for masks- characterization (emotions), few actors but various roles (change role, gender, etc.), volume, easy viewing in far parts of theater, NONE survived bc they were made of perishable elements, we know about it from paintings and writings

Greek Masks

History Plays were a part of festivals to honor the gods. Oedipus honors the deity, Dionysus, god of fertility. Every citizen attended these plays, sometimes up to 15,000. At the end of the festivals, judges would vote on the best play.

Greek gods Dionysus – god of wine, fertility, and drama Apollo – god of healing and prophecy Zeus – the supreme deity of gods Athena – goddess of wisdom Dionysus Apollo

Sophocles Considered the greatest playwright from Ancient Greece. It is believed he won the Athenian festival eighteen times. Very involved in political and militarily affairs. Oedipus Rex is part of a trilogy.

Sophocles the Innovator Added a 3rd actor. First to include painted scenery. Reduced the size of the chorus to fifteen men. Purpose of chorus is to represent the citizens who often question, advise, and express opinions. Never showed violent scenes on stage. Violence was reported by a messenger, a character in the play.

Themes Theme: The central idea or insight to a work of literature. Fate vs. Free Will – In ancient Greek culture, it was questioned whether it was possible to avoid one’s fate by simple chance or an attempt to avoid prophecy. Oedipus and the Sphinx

Themes The Quest for Identity and Truth The Nature of Innocence and Guilt The Nature of Moral Responsibility The Abuse of Power Oedipus and the Sphinx

The Characters The Royal Family Laius (LAY oos) Jocasta (jo KAS tuh) Creon (KREE ahn) her brother Oedipus (ED i pus) their son

The Characters Oedipus’ Family The Thebans The Royal Family Oedipus (ED i pus) Jocasta (jo KAS tuh) children Antigone Ismene Eteocles Polynices

Delphi’s Oracle Oracle of Delphi Most important shrine in Greece – for the god Apollo Built around a sacred spring, was considered to be the “opmhalos” (the navel) – the center of the world Priestess of Apollo – Pythia – gave cryptic answers to those seeking answers

Sphinx Sphinx – a winged, man-eating creature with a lion’s body and a woman’s head, vicious and single minded Name from the Greek word sphingo meaning “to strangle”

The Sphinx’s Riddle The Sphinx plagued Thebes with her riddle. “What walks on four legs in the morning, two in the afternoon, and three in the evening?” When Oedipus solved the riddle, the Sphinx killed herself and he inherited the throne of Thebes, which also included its queen, Jocasta. Oedipus and the Sphinx

Tragic Hero character who makes an error of judgment or has a fatal flaw that, combined with fate and external forces, brings on a tragedy Hamartia: weakness or flaw in a character. Hubris: excessive pride or arrogance Catharsis: self-realization and self-awareness, where suffering causes relief