Thursday March 3, 2011 Agenda: Agenda: Notes: Greek Theater & Tragic Hero Notes: Greek Theater & Tragic Hero Reminders: Reminders: Vocabulary due tomorrow!!! Vocabulary due tomorrow!!! Vocabulary Quiz: Friday, March 11 th

Bell Work What components make up a “tragedy”?

Introduction to Greek Theater and the Tragic Hero

Overview of Greek Theater The land The land The Theater The Theater Antigone Antigone The Gods The Gods

The land Greece has thousands of inhabited islands and dramatic mountain ranges. Greece has thousands of inhabited islands and dramatic mountain ranges. Greece has a rich culture and history. Greece has a rich culture and history. Democracy was founded in Greece. Democracy was founded in Greece. Philosophy, as a practice, began in Greece (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle) Philosophy, as a practice, began in Greece (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle)

The Theater

Religious Origins The drama of ancient Greece and Rome is referred to as classical drama. The drama of ancient Greece and Rome is referred to as classical drama. It arose in Athens from religious celebrations in honor of the Greek god Dionysus. It arose in Athens from religious celebrations in honor of the Greek god Dionysus. These celebrations included ritual chants and songs performed by a group called the chorus. These celebrations included ritual chants and songs performed by a group called the chorus. Drama evolved from these celebrations during the 6 th century B.C., when individual actors began entering into dialogue with the chorus to tell a story. Drama evolved from these celebrations during the 6 th century B.C., when individual actors began entering into dialogue with the chorus to tell a story.

The Theater Attended by thousands, plays were performed during the day in and outdoor theater with seats built into the hillside. Attended by thousands, plays were performed during the day in and outdoor theater with seats built into the hillside. Business would shut down for days, people would travel from all around to see the drama competitions- even prisoners were temporarily released to see the plays. Business would shut down for days, people would travel from all around to see the drama competitions- even prisoners were temporarily released to see the plays.

The Theater

Theatron= Seating for the audience Theatron= Seating for the audience Orchestra= “Dancing Place” where the chorus sang to the audience Orchestra= “Dancing Place” where the chorus sang to the audience Skene= Wooden scene building used as a dressing room Skene= Wooden scene building used as a dressing room Parados= Entrance to the theater used by the chorus Parados= Entrance to the theater used by the chorus

Actors The actors The actors Were all men Were all men They wore elegant robes, huge masks and often elevated shoes They wore elegant robes, huge masks and often elevated shoes Sophocles used three actors in his plays- between scenes they changed costumes and masks when needed to portray different characters Sophocles used three actors in his plays- between scenes they changed costumes and masks when needed to portray different characters

The Chorus The chorus The chorus A group of about 15 A group of about 15 They commented on the action They commented on the action The leader of the chorus= the choragus The leader of the chorus= the choragus Between scenes, the chorus sang and danced to musical accompaniment in the orchestra, giving insights into the message of the play. Between scenes, the chorus sang and danced to musical accompaniment in the orchestra, giving insights into the message of the play.

The Theater During Sophocles's lifetime, three playwrights were chosen each year to enter a theatrical competition in the festival of Dionysus. During Sophocles's lifetime, three playwrights were chosen each year to enter a theatrical competition in the festival of Dionysus. Each playwright would produce three tragedies, along with a satyr play (a short comic interlude). Each playwright would produce three tragedies, along with a satyr play (a short comic interlude).

Aristotle Tragedy and the Tragic Hero

Who is Aristotle? Student of the philosopher Plato Student of the philosopher Plato Teacher to Alexander the Great Teacher to Alexander the Great Divided Philosophical thought into ethics, physics and logic Divided Philosophical thought into ethics, physics and logic

A General Definition of Tragedy Any serious and dignified drama that describes a conflict between the hero(protagonist) and a superior force(antagonist), and reaches a sorrowful conclusion that arouses pity or fear in the audience(catharsis). Any serious and dignified drama that describes a conflict between the hero(protagonist) and a superior force(antagonist), and reaches a sorrowful conclusion that arouses pity or fear in the audience(catharsis).

Aristotle’s Definition of Tragedy Tragedy is an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude; in language embellished with each kind of artistic ornament, the several kinds being found in separate parts of the play; in the form of action, not of narrative; through pity and fear effecting the proper purgation of these emotions. Tragedy is an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude; in language embellished with each kind of artistic ornament, the several kinds being found in separate parts of the play; in the form of action, not of narrative; through pity and fear effecting the proper purgation of these emotions.

In other words…. Literary form on a serious theme Literary form on a serious theme Implies decision—a responsible choice is involved. Implies decision—a responsible choice is involved. Involves destruction of a man who is basically good, but makes errors in judgment Involves destruction of a man who is basically good, but makes errors in judgment Chain of events leads to destruction and death of protagonist. Chain of events leads to destruction and death of protagonist.

Aristotle’s Poetics: Basic Concepts Complex plots are better than simple ones Complex plots are better than simple ones Suffering is to be included in a tragic plot which should end unhappily. Suffering is to be included in a tragic plot which should end unhappily. The pity and fear from which the tragedy evokes, should come from the events, not from the mere sight of something on stage. The pity and fear from which the tragedy evokes, should come from the events, not from the mere sight of something on stage.

Recognition and Reversal Recognition is a change from ignorance to knowledge. Recognition is a change from ignorance to knowledge. The new knowledge often identifies an unknown relative or dear one whom the hero should cherish but was about to harm or has just harmed. The new knowledge often identifies an unknown relative or dear one whom the hero should cherish but was about to harm or has just harmed. Reversal is a change of a situation to its opposite Reversal is a change of a situation to its opposite

Characteristics of the Tragic Hero The Character… Is not all good or bad Is not all good or bad Is of the noble class or highly renowned and prosperous Is of the noble class or highly renowned and prosperous Has a tragic flaw (error in judgment he/she could not see) Has a tragic flaw (error in judgment he/she could not see) Actions involve the well-being of others in society Actions involve the well-being of others in society Plot of the play shows him/her working toward a goal near to him/her Plot of the play shows him/her working toward a goal near to him/her Actions involve him/her in choices Actions involve him/her in choices

Characteristics of the Tragic Hero The Character… Attains self-knowledge or wisdom BUT Recognizes his error too late and accepts the consequences or downfall (usually of death) Attains self-knowledge or wisdom BUT Recognizes his error too late and accepts the consequences or downfall (usually of death) Hero’s death releases him from his burden, the audience from tension (catharsis), and the hero’s society from disorder caused by his flaw. Hero’s death releases him from his burden, the audience from tension (catharsis), and the hero’s society from disorder caused by his flaw. Arouses the audience’s pity and fear Arouses the audience’s pity and fear The audience knows more of the action than the hero and sees evil destiny at work. The audience knows more of the action than the hero and sees evil destiny at work.

TERMS to KNOW about TRAGEDY Hamartia: “A tragic flaw or error that in ancient Greek tragedies leads to the hero’s reversal of fortune.” Hamartia: “A tragic flaw or error that in ancient Greek tragedies leads to the hero’s reversal of fortune.” Hubris: Excessive pride or arrogance. Often leads to the downfall of the major character in Greek tragedy. Hubris: Excessive pride or arrogance. Often leads to the downfall of the major character in Greek tragedy.

More Terms… Unity of Action- one of the three principles of dramatic structure having single plot with a beginning, middle and end. (Plot Structure) Peripeteia- a sudden turn of events or an unexpected reversal. Anagnorisis- the critical moment of recognition or discovery. Catastrophe- the point at which the circumstances overcome the central motive, introducing the close or conclusion.

Tragic Plot Must be action that could logically happen Must be action that could logically happen Must be universal in theme Must be universal in theme Must arouse pity and fear (CATHARSIS) Must arouse pity and fear (CATHARSIS) No contrivances of plot (no coincidences) No contrivances of plot (no coincidences) Tragic character cannot be flat—must have good and bad within Tragic character cannot be flat—must have good and bad within

GREATEST ELEMENT IN A TRAGEDY The deed is done in ignorance, and the relationship is discovered later!

Can you think of any tragic heroes?

Mythological Sources The subjects of Greek tragedy are myths and legends that were familiar to the Greek audience. The subjects of Greek tragedy are myths and legends that were familiar to the Greek audience. Myths, are traditional stories about gods and goddesses Myths, are traditional stories about gods and goddesses Legends, are stories about people believed to have once lived Legends, are stories about people believed to have once lived Gods and Goddesses are often characters in tragedies, and even when they do not appear on stage, they influence the fates of human characters. Gods and Goddesses are often characters in tragedies, and even when they do not appear on stage, they influence the fates of human characters.

Mythological Sources Usually a tragic hero’s downfall is the result of having offended the gods. Usually a tragic hero’s downfall is the result of having offended the gods. The gods’ wishes are frequently made know through specially gifted characters who communicate with the gods. The gods’ wishes are frequently made know through specially gifted characters who communicate with the gods. The audience usually knows the outcome of the events and can realize the significance of the words and actions of characters. The audience usually knows the outcome of the events and can realize the significance of the words and actions of characters. Dramatic Irony Dramatic Irony

Greek Deities Plays are filled with allusions or references to gods and rituals. Plays are filled with allusions or references to gods and rituals. The ancient Greeks believed that their gods ruled the world from the top of Mount Olympus, Greece’s highest mountain. The ancient Greeks believed that their gods ruled the world from the top of Mount Olympus, Greece’s highest mountain. The characters in tragedies honor and fear their gods and struggle to live in proper relationship to them. The characters in tragedies honor and fear their gods and struggle to live in proper relationship to them.

The Olympians are the 12 Main Gods

Zeus King of gods King of gods Heaven Heaven Storms Storms Thunder Thunder lightning lightning

Poseidon Zeus’s brother Zeus’s brother King of the sea King of the sea Earthquakes Earthquakes Horses Horses

Hades Brother to Zeus and Poseidon Brother to Zeus and Poseidon King of the Underworld (Tartarus) King of the Underworld (Tartarus) Husband of Persphone Husband of Persphone

Ares God of War God of War

Hephaestus God of fire God of fire Craftspeople Craftspeople Metalworkers Metalworkers Artisans Artisans

Apollo God of the sun God of the sun Music Music Poetry Poetry Fine arts Fine arts Medicine Medicine

Hermes Messenger to the gods Messenger to the gods Trade Trade Commerce Commerce Travelers Travelers Thieves & scoundrels Thieves & scoundrels

Hera Queen of gods Queen of gods Women Women Marriage Marriage Childbirth Childbirth

Demeter Goddess of Harvest Goddess of Harvest Agriculture Agriculture Fertility Fertility Fruitfulness Fruitfulness Mom to Persephone Mom to Persephone

Hestia Goddess of Hearth Goddess of Hearth Home Home Community Community

Athena Goddess of wisdom Goddess of wisdom Practical arts Practical arts War War

Aphrodite Goddess of love and beauty Goddess of love and beauty

Artemis Goddess of hunting and the moon. Goddess of hunting and the moon.