1. Oedipus The King
By Sophocles

2. Greek Theater Theater began as a festival honoring dionysus In Athens
Well-attended

3. Greek Entertainment

4. Masks in Greek Theater Dionysus imitation Help audience understand
Made gender unimportant

5. Purpose of the Chorus
Where else have you seen a chorus in theater? What was its purpose?
In Greek theater:
Initially the chorus was the whole entertainment
Acting parts were added to the chorus, producing conflict and therefore tragedies
In Sophocles’ plays - commentator and observer

6. Festival of Dionysus 3 dramatists, 3 days, 3 plays
Sophocles won 1st prize 18 times
Plays typically about the gods/myths

7. Format NO curtain for stage Chorus divided scenes Terms: Parodos
Strophe
Antistrophe
choragos

8. Archetypal Greek Tragic Hero
Noble Stature
Good, though flawed
Hamartia
Punishment exceeds the crime
Gains knowledge through fall
Results in Catharsis for audience

9. Aristotle’s definition of Tragedy
The purpose of tragedy is to arouse pity and fear in the audience, and so create a catharsis - or cleansing of emotions - that will enlighten people about life and fate.

10. Characters and Basic Plot
Oedipus
Jocasta
Creon
Tiresias
What happens? Tonight for homework, read the introduction in your book (pages )