2.  Began twenty-five hundred years ago  Originated in Athens  Part of the four religious festivals associated with the annual grape harvest held between December and March  Greek dramatic displays originated with festivals honoring Dionysis, the god of wine and revelry  Festivals consisted of animal sacrifices, parades and dramatic contests

3.  Only men had full citizenship  Slaves had no rights  Women had only certain privileges defined by marriage

4.  3 daily performances  Entire population invited; free admission  Daytime performances  Annual drama competitions in Athens were spread over several, entire days  Actors probably wore little or no makeup. Instead, they carried masks with exaggerated facial expressions.  They also wore cothornos, which were leather boots laced up to the knees.  Little or no scenery.

5.  During this time, major theatres were constructed, notably the theatre at Delphi, the Attic Theatre and the Theatre of Dionysus in Athens.  At the heart of the semicircular amphitheater, and at its lowest level, stood the orchestra, where the chorus performed; the altar of Dionysis stood here.  Orchestra was ringed on three sides by raked seats Immense scale – Theater of Dionysis in Athens measures 150 feet across (size of a football field) and seats 15-17 thousand spectators Skene- rectangular building behind the orchestra, decorated with backdrops of painted scenery or props

7. Layout

8.  Tragedy, derived from the Greek words tragos (goat) and ode (song), told a story that was intended to teach religious lessons.  Much like Biblical parables, tragedies were designed to show the right and wrong paths in life.  Tragedies were not simply plays with bad endings, nor were they simply spectacles devised to make the audience laugh and cry.  Whatever the root cause, the protagonist's ultimate collision with fate, reality, or society is inevitable and irrevocable.  Classical tragedy – definite written structure; no intermission

9.  In 468 BC, Aeschylus was defeated in the tragedy competition by Sophocles. Sophocles' contribution to drama was the addition of a third actor and an emphasis on drama between humans rather than between humans and gods.  Sophocles questioned the Greek beliefs in the Gods  Apollo “The Sun God,” also closely associated with Delphi, was believed to give the gift of prophecy to some mortals.  Theme of Prophesy – gods allow events to take place; already devised plan for mankind  Sophocles' plays are suffused with irony.  Irony: an outcome of events contrary to what was, or might have been, expected.  Dramatic Irony: irony that is inherent in speeches or a situation of a drama and is understood by the audience but not grasped by the characters in the play.

10. Opening scene; story established Prologue Chorus enters; chants lyrics of play’s main ideas Parados Act or scene; plot is developed through action and dialogue Episode Choral Ode; summary or commentary about action in an episode Statismon Final action; ceremonial exit of all players Exodus

11. MAIN CHARACTERS  Oedipus – King of Thebes  Jocasta – Queen, Wife of Oedipus  Creon – Jocasta’s brother  Tiresias – The blind prophet MINOR CHARACTERS  A priest of Zeus  Messenger from Corinth  Palace messenger  A shepard  Oedipus’s daughters  Antigone  Ismene  Chorus: citizens, commentary, change of time/place ; they are spectators

12. PLACES TO KNOW:  Thebes: main action, city with plague ▪ Lauis’ death at the three crossroads ▪ A strange plague ▪ A kingdom without a king ▪ The terror of the Sphinx (part lion, part bird, part woman) ▪ What walks on four legs, then two legs, then three legs?  Corinth: nearby city, ruled by King Polybus and Queen Merope ▪ Oedipus’ parents, Polybus and Merobe  Delphi: City of the oracle

13. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =vNAM3PzGcow BBC Greatest Show on Earth: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =xf9cDKqwhQw