Introduction to Greek Drama English II Mrs. Crawford

SOPHOCLES Born in Colonus, Greece in 497 B.C. Born in Colonus, Greece in 497 B.C. Died in 406 B. C. at approximately 90 years old Died in 406 B. C. at approximately 90 years old Lived during the “Golden Age” of Greece Lived during the “Golden Age” of Greece He was a successful musician, athlete and respected playwright He was a successful musician, athlete and respected playwright He was also active in social and political life. He held several priesthoods, was imperial treasurer in 443 B.C., and a general in 440 B.C. He was also active in social and political life. He held several priesthoods, was imperial treasurer in 443 B.C., and a general in 440 B.C.

Sophocles as a Playwright In the drama festivals of his day, he won the first place prize for best play twenty-four times. In the drama festivals of his day, he won the first place prize for best play twenty-four times. He wrote more than a hundred plays but only seven remain. He wrote more than a hundred plays but only seven remain. The most famous of his plays being: Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, Antigone and Electra. The most famous of his plays being: Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, Antigone and Electra. Was only 28 when he won his first drama competition Was only 28 when he won his first drama competition

Sophocles’ Impact on Drama Expanded its format by adding a third actor Expanded its format by adding a third actor Increased dialogue Increased dialogue Decreased the importance of the chorus by fixing its number at 15 Decreased the importance of the chorus by fixing its number at 15 Invented painted scenery and added flute music in the background Invented painted scenery and added flute music in the background Made each play of a trilogy stand by itself as a separate story Made each play of a trilogy stand by itself as a separate story

Greek Tragedy The Greeks transformed tragedy into an art. The Greeks transformed tragedy into an art. It involves the downfall of a hero, usually ending with his or her destruction or death It involves the downfall of a hero, usually ending with his or her destruction or death Involves intense emotion (pity, fear, wonder, and awe) Involves intense emotion (pity, fear, wonder, and awe) There is usually a horrible truth that leads to release (catharsis) There is usually a horrible truth that leads to release (catharsis)

Greek Tragic Hero Must be a man or woman capable of great suffering Must be a man or woman capable of great suffering Hero is brought to disaster by hamartia (single flaw in character) Hero is brought to disaster by hamartia (single flaw in character) Hubris- the fatal flaw of pride Hubris- the fatal flaw of pride Odysseus Odysseus Creon Creon

Structure of a Greek Tragedy 1. Prologue – the actors present the opening situation on stage 2. Parados – the entering song and dance of the chorus 3. Episodes – periods of more action by the actors 4. Stasima/Stasimon – choral ode or song commenting on the action 5. Exodus – the last action of the play

The Greek Theatre *like an outdoor stadium that could hold from 15,000 – 20,000 people

The Greek Theatre Semi-circular in shape Semi-circular in shape Theatron = area of seats for the audience hollowed out from the hillside Theatron = area of seats for the audience hollowed out from the hillside Orchestra = large area in front of the stage where the chorus sang and danced Orchestra = large area in front of the stage where the chorus sang and danced Thymele = the altar centered in the orchestra used for sacrifices to Dionysus Thymele = the altar centered in the orchestra used for sacrifices to Dionysus Parados = walled walkway used by the chorus to enter and exit the stage Parados = walled walkway used by the chorus to enter and exit the stage Pro-scenium = a long, low stage behind the orchestra Pro-scenium = a long, low stage behind the orchestra Skene = building that contained the actors’ dressing rooms Skene = building that contained the actors’ dressing rooms

Greeks’ Special Effects deus ex machina (“god from the machine”) = type of crane used for suspending figures who portrayed gods deus ex machina (“god from the machine”) = type of crane used for suspending figures who portrayed gods eccylema = moveable or revolving platform eccylema = moveable or revolving platform

Special Effects Cont… No curtains, intermissions, lights, or microphones. Because of this, all scenes took place in daylight settings No curtains, intermissions, lights, or microphones. Because of this, all scenes took place in daylight settings All scenes changes had to be built into the dialogue of the actors and the chorus All scenes changes had to be built into the dialogue of the actors and the chorus Actors had to have strong voices Actors had to have strong voices

The Actors Hypocrite- Greek name for Actor Hypocrite- Greek name for Actor Only 3 actors that wore masks to play multiple parts Only 3 actors that wore masks to play multiple parts All actors were men because it was considered undignified for women to appear on stage All actors were men because it was considered undignified for women to appear on stage Wore platform shoes and masks with megaphones Wore platform shoes and masks with megaphones Actors had to be able to speak in poetic language and sing using a loud and clear voice Actors had to be able to speak in poetic language and sing using a loud and clear voice

The Chorus Group of actors that moved and sang together, acting as one character. Group of actors that moved and sang together, acting as one character. Choral Ode- Chanted or sung in unison Choral Ode- Chanted or sung in unison Started out with 50 people but Sophocles fixed the number at 15 Started out with 50 people but Sophocles fixed the number at 15 The playwright used the chorus and their songs to: The playwright used the chorus and their songs to: Add the beauty of song and dance Add the beauty of song and dance Set the mood or express the main themes of the play by commenting on the action Set the mood or express the main themes of the play by commenting on the action Create a bridge between the actors and the audience Create a bridge between the actors and the audience Converse with and give advice to the actors Converse with and give advice to the actors Tell about events that have already happened in the past Tell about events that have already happened in the past Foretell the future by interpreting the actions of the actors Foretell the future by interpreting the actions of the actors

The Stories Originally hymns and prayers honoring the gods, especially Dionysus, in Athens. Originally hymns and prayers honoring the gods, especially Dionysus, in Athens. Over time, content changed to legends of Greek leaders and heroes Over time, content changed to legends of Greek leaders and heroes Tragedy = showed what happened to a person who went against the laws of the gods or who was too proud Tragedy = showed what happened to a person who went against the laws of the gods or who was too proud

Antigone Third of Sophocles’ Theban plays Third of Sophocles’ Theban plays Oedipus Rex and Oedipus at Colonus Oedipus Rex and Oedipus at Colonus Antigone is Oedipus’ daughter, princess of Thebes Antigone is Oedipus’ daughter, princess of Thebes Breaks the law to bury her brother who has been labeled a traitor by the king, her uncle. Breaks the law to bury her brother who has been labeled a traitor by the king, her uncle.

Oedipus Background Oracle of Delphi prophecy Oracle of Delphi prophecy King Laios and Queen Jocasta are told that their future son will kill his father and marry his mother. King Laios and Queen Jocasta are told that their future son will kill his father and marry his mother. So… when Oedipus was born, he was left for dead but was found and raised by the King and Queen of Corinth So… when Oedipus was born, he was left for dead but was found and raised by the King and Queen of Corinth

Oedipus cont… The prophecy fulfilled The prophecy fulfilled Years later, Oedipus meets a traveller on the road. An argument begins, and Oedipus kills the traveller in his rage. Years later, Oedipus meets a traveller on the road. An argument begins, and Oedipus kills the traveller in his rage. Unbeknownst to him… he had just killed his birth father, the King of Thebes. Unbeknownst to him… he had just killed his birth father, the King of Thebes. Shortly after, Oedipus defeated the Sphinx and was rewarded with the Kingdom of Thebes… along with their Queen as his new wife. Shortly after, Oedipus defeated the Sphinx and was rewarded with the Kingdom of Thebes… along with their Queen as his new wife.

Oedipus Oedipus and Jocasta have 4 children Oedipus and Jocasta have 4 children Antigone, Ismene, Eteocles, and Polyneices Antigone, Ismene, Eteocles, and Polyneices When they discover the truth, Jocasta hangs herself and Oedipus gouges out his own eyes before exiling himself. When they discover the truth, Jocasta hangs herself and Oedipus gouges out his own eyes before exiling himself.

Oedipus’ Sons Before his death, Oedipus leaves orders that his two sons share the kingship Before his death, Oedipus leaves orders that his two sons share the kingship Eteocles refuses to step down Eteocles refuses to step down Polyneices attacks Thebes with an army Polyneices attacks Thebes with an army Both brothers die in battle Both brothers die in battle Creon (Jocasta’s brother) is declared King. Creon (Jocasta’s brother) is declared King.

Oedipus Family Tree

King Creon of Thebes married Queen Eurydice -Creon is Oedipus’ uncle, Jocasta’s brother (also Oedipus’ brother-in-law) -They have two sons: Megareus Haemon // dies during betrothed to Antigone, siege of Thebeshis cousin

Sources Jessica Rammos – CHHS, Colleyville, TX Jessica Rammos – CHHS, Colleyville, TX Stefanie Tziarri – Lawrence High School, Mercer County, NJ Stefanie Tziarri – Lawrence High School, Mercer County, NJ SpringBoard Text SpringBoard Text