Greek Theater
Oedipus Rex Prediction: Oedipus will murder his father. Oedipus’ bio parents give him up to a shepherd. Shepherd gives Oedipus to King and Queen of Corinth. Oedipus grows up – learns of legend re: his birth parents/curse – goes to find his father
Oedipus Rex Oedipus consults the oracle and others and learns that he murdered his father. Oedipus married his mother, Jocasta, and had four children with her. Jocasta commits suicide. Oedipus gouges his eyes out and eventually dies. Antigone and Ismene are his daughters. Eteocles and Polyneices are his sons.
Roots in Worship of Dionysus God of wine and revelry
Theater at Epidaurus Example of greek theater – resembles stadium
Theater at Epidaurus
Dionysus Theater in Athens
Audience at Theater of Delphi
Chorus: 12 men representing the citizens of Greece - values
Chorus
Masks of Greek Theater Tragic playwrights: Sophocles - antigone
Masks of Greek Theater Quick costume changes
Masks of Greek Theater
Maenads and Satyrs
Dionysus and Satyrs
Greek Comedy and Aristophanes
Aristotle’s Poetics
Central Character is of the Elite Class
Central Character suffers a Downfall
Central Character is Neither Wholly good nor wholly evil
Downfall is the result of a TRAGIC Flaw
Misfortunes involve characters who are related or who are friends
Tragic actions take place offstage
Central Character has a moment of recognition
Audience experiences pity and fear
Pity and Fear leads to a catharsis
Sophocles
Oedipus Rex Oedipus at Colonus Antigone
Delphi
Oracle of Delphi
Oedipus and Sphinx