1. AP Literature and Composition
Intro to Greek Tragedy
AP Literature and Composition

2. Dionysus
Originally, tragedy associated with worship of Dionysus (Bacchus)– freed people from care and grief.
Worship of Dionysus was elevated by Peisistratus (ruled B.C.E.) to elevate this god in the eyes of Athenians.

3. Origin of Tragedy
Performed at most significant Greek Dionysiac festivals: Lenaia and City Dionysa
Philosopher and critic, Aristotle, claims the first tragedies developed from a choral ode called a dithyramb.
They were essentially choral improvisations, “acting” out scenes from the song.

4. Subject Matter of Tragedy
Drawn from tales of prehistoric times.
Described individual adventures and achievements.
Included epic explorations and battles.
Illustrated the divine-human relationships.
Provided examples of heroic behavior.

5. Meaning of “Tragedy” Tragos (“goat”) and oide (“ode” or “song”)
Literally meaning “goat song.”
One explanation is that the word was first applied to a choral ode performed at the ritual sacrifice of a goat.
Another explanation is that it refers to the chorus as “billy goat singers.” This would reference the young military men (between 18-20) who were selected as choral members due to their ability to march cleanly. Often young men were likened to goats.
Above- God Pan who is often associated with goats and youth.
Below- A military youth in school.

6. Evolution of Tragedy
Tragedy evolved from choral form to dramatic form with the introduction of the actor.
Only choruses in the beginning. No actors.
Thespis- first actor or hypocrites. Hence, actors today are called Thespians.

7. Creation of First Greek Dramas
Tragic dramatists competed for the honor of having their plays performed.
The three best submissions would be given a performance at the Dionysus festival.
Afterwards, a crown of ivy would be awarded to the best writer of a tragedy and best writer of a comedy. The first “Oscars.”
Left- Dionysus wears the crown of ivy, which is why it was awarded at the festivals.

8. Sophocles Aeschylus Euripides Top dramatists
33 of their tragedies have survived.

9. Aristotle And Tragedy Tragedy grew out of dithyrambic choral odes.
Once tragedy reached its ideal form, it stopped evolving.
Says tragedy is:
“An imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude; in language embellished with each kind of artistic ornament, the several kinds being found in separate parts of the play; in the form of the action, not of narrative; through pity and fear effecting the proper purgation of these emotions.”

10. Catharsis Aristotle defines the key to tragedy as catharsis.
Catharsis= the purging or “vomiting” of emotions.
Aristotle claims that tragedy heals.

11. Tragic Plot
Mimesis- drama is not an exact imitation of life, but rather a representation.
Peripeteia- the reversal of the situation from good to bad. A negative change brings about the conflict
Anagnoris- the recognition. A discovery of a truth. Protagonist acknowledges errors and accepts responsibility.
Pathos- scene of suffering usually in a destructive or painful action, such as death on stage.

12. Parts of the Tragedy
Prologue- the play’s exposition. Spoken by one or few characters.
Parados- the entry of the chorus with strophes (turns) and antistrophes (counter-turns)
Four Episodes (performed by actors) and Stasima (performed by chorus).
Exodos- the conclusion of the play.

13. The Tragic Hero Tragic Hero Villain Saint
Hamartia- the tragic flaw in the hero. Makes the hero human.
“Neither a saint nor a villain.”
Not eminently good or just or we would find the suffering to be unfair.
Not too villainous, or we would find satisfaction in the suffering.
Tragic Hero
Villain
Saint

14. Hubris Hubris- arrogant pride, insolence, contemptuous violence.
The mythical heroes depicted in early tragedies often fell victim to their own hubris.

15. The Theater
Ancient Greek plays were performed in the Athenian Theater of Dionysus