1. Greek Tragedy: Oedipus the King
Prentice Hall Literature World Masterpieces

2. Background: Sophocles
enjoyed a comfortable life in a well-to-do family
age 28--won the wreath in his first play competition --Antigone
wrote 123 plays/7 survived intact
end of Sophocles' life--Peloponnesian War/time of political turmoil

3. Background: Oedipus Rex
(tragedy) - a serious drama featuring a noble, dignified main character (often a member of royalty) who strives to achieve something and is ultimately defeated
(tragic flaw) - a character flaw or weakness that eventually leads to a character's downfall

4. Aristotle’s Definition of a Tragic Hero
1. Should be ruler or leader
2. Of good character (neither exceptionally virtuous nor exceptionally evil)
3. Tragic hero goes through one or more reversals of fortune, leading to a final recognition of truth

5. Aristotle’s Definition of a Tragic Hero (cont.)
4. His/her misfortune brought about by some error of judgment or frailty – “hamartia” (tragic flaw) 5. Tragic hero experiences profound suffering in this process 6. Audience should be moved by pity and fear

6. Festival of Dionysus
4 day celebration in honor of Dionysus, god of wine and revelry
plays were performed/competition—highlight of the Festival

7. Ancient Greek Theater

8. The Oracle of Delphi Also called Oracle of Apollo
Located in Delphi; priests/priestesses of Apollo were believed to have divine knowledge from Apollo
Common themes in Greek tragedy involve characters who attempt to circumvent the prophecies of Apollo, always unsuccessfully
Theme: No mortal can avoid his/her fate

9. The Oracle of Delphi

10. Irony in Oedipus 3 Types of Irony.....
Irony is the contrast between what appears to be and what actually exists.
3 Types of Irony.....
(verbal irony)—when a character says one thing but means another
(situational irony)—what happens is different from what’s expected to happen
(dramatic irony)—the audience or reader is aware of critical information that a character does not know

11. Sophocles' Oedipus Trilogy
Sophocles wrote the 3 plays over a 36 year period
Antigone was written first
1. --Oedipus Rex (written second)
2. --Oedipus at Colonus (written last)
3. --Antigone (written first)

12. Random Greek Artifact…Agamemnon’s Death Mask

13. Ancient Greek theater Delphi

14. Ancient Greek theater

15. The Sphynx—Oedipus’ Nemesis