1. Oedipus the King ACE / Honors English I

2. A riddle: What walks on four legs in the morning, two legs in the afternoon, and three legs in the evening? Answer: a human

3. Greek Drama History Drama first developed in Athens from religious ceremonies in honor of the god Dionysus. First "dramas" were choral and dance presentations Eventually an actor was added to respond to the chorus. This was first done by the playwright and actor, Thespis. (We still call actors "thespians" today to honor him as the first actor.)

4. Format of Greek Drama Were performed during the day time Actors loved to hold week long festivals and contests as to who would write the best play 1- Prologue, which described the situation and set the scene 2- Parados, an ode sung by the chorus as it made its entrance 3- Five dramatic scenes 4- Exodus, the climax and conclusion

5. Conventions of Greek Drama Three Unities (time, place, action) Use of chorus to tell the story (parados, exodus) Actors use masks for large theatres Simple stage / scenic demands Plot-driven story line No violence on stage Deus ex machina (“God of the machine”)

6. The Greek Tragic Hero The ancient Greeks enjoyed dramas about tragic heroes who do the following: –Experience a complete fall from grace –Make a decision that leads to their downfall –Realize their error only when it is too late –They learn that the Gods, not them, control fate

7. Oedipus in a Cultural Context Plot-driven stories = value efficiency No violence on stage = value peace Greeks admired strong, confident leaders but they cautioned against having excessive pride (hubris) which was a crime. Greeks valued reason and intellect. Greeks admired leaders who could control their emotions (stoicism)

8. Oedipus the King Oedipus, King of Thebes, promises to help end a horrible plague brought on by the gods because of the murder of King Laius. Oedipus commits to finding out and punishing the murderer by either murder or exile. The blind prophet Teiresias claims that Oedipus is the murderer! Furthermore, he claims that Oedipus killed his father, slept with his mother, and that Oedipus is both father and brother to his own children!!! Now Oedipus is outraged. He’s also unsure what to do about the mess in his Thebes.

9. Oh, and one more thing… Translated from Greek, “Oedipus” means swollen foot. Remember that!

10. Aristotle taught there are 3 main strategies in an argument Logos/Logical Ethos/Credibility Pathos/Emotional

11. Ethos-Credibility Appeals to the conscience, ethics, morals, standards, values, and principles. Author or speaker tries to convince you he is of good character. Qualified to make his claims. Cites relevant authorities. Quotes others accurately and fairly.

12. Pathos-Emotional Appeal Appeals to the heart, Emotions, Sympathy, Passions, Sentimentality, Uses imagery, figurative language, Carefully constructed sentences.

13. LOGOS-Logical Argument Involves facts or Research Quoted authorities Cause and Effect information Analogies or comparisons Common sense information Shared values Precedents