1. Introduction to Oedipus the King Western Literature January 9, 2015

2. Warm-Up When you are asked to research, what do you do? Be honest about your procedure.

14. Aristotle’s Poetics Continuation of Aristotelian Tragedy Activity

15. "The educated differ from the uneducated as much as the living from the dead." Aristotle’s Poetics, written at about 335 BCE, is considered to be the first systematic critical theory in the world. For nearly 2,000 years it has inspired the thoughts of writers, philosophers and critics.

16. “All men by nature desire knowledge.” Aristotle identifies tragedy as the most refined version of poetry, among the three genres (Tragedy, Epic, and Comedy)‏ Aristotle’s defines many key literary components to understand plot: Mimesis (my-me-sis) is imitation (of life/human nature) Peripeteia (pear-eh-puh-tea-uh) is the the reversal in the plot. Anagnorisis (ah-nag-nor-eh-sis) is the moment of recognition.

18. Aristotle’s Tragedy You will be given a list of the components necessary to classify a work as a tragedy according to Aristotle in Poetics. You will determine what works classify as an Aristotelian tragedy. STEP ONE Create a simplified checklist from Aristotle’s definition of tragedy. STEP TWO Create this chart in your journal: STEP THREE Go around the room and analyze five of the eight examples and fill in your chart to evaluate classical tragedy. ExampleHow does it fit the definition of a Classical Tragedy? How does it not fit the definition of a Classical Tragedy? Ultimately, is it an Aristotelian tragedy? Book/Movie Title and Author/Director Yes or No

19. Share Out!

20. Oedipus Back Story WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT OEDIPUS BEFORE WE START READING.

21. Sophocles’ Theban Plays Sophocles’ Theban Plays include: 1.Antigone 2.Oedipus Rex or Oedipus the King 3.Oedipus at Colonus These plays are often anthologized together but they are not considered a trilogy. Each play should be considered a separate work though the characters appear in the various plays. In fact, some of these plays were written as far as 40 years apart!

22. Oedipus’ Backstory Sophocles’ audience would most likely already have known the events leading to the curse of Laius and his descendants that resulted in Oedipus’ tragic destiny. Sophocles’ intent was clearly to illustrate the downfall of the great Oedipus and not chronicle the family saga, so he does not share the backstory with us.

23. Oedipus’ Backstory Laius, Oedipus’ birth father, was the son of Labdacus, the King of Thebes. When Labdacus died, Laius was raised by his mother, who ruled Thebes as his regent. Two cousins (Amphion and Zethus) usurped the throne and plotted to kill young Laius, so he was smuggled out of Thebes and given to Pelops, King of Pisa, to raise. Laius eventually became the tutor of Pelops’ favorite son, Chrysippus, whom he abducted and took back to Thebes. Amphion and Zethus having died, Laius claimed his throne and kept Chrysippus captive. Pelops raised an army to demand the return of his son, but it was discovered that Chrysippus was already dead.

24. Oedipus’ Backstory Because of his poor treatment of his host and his host’s son, Laius and his house were cursed. When he married Jocasta, he was warned not to have children by her because his son by Jocasta would one day kill him. One night, while drunk, Laius imprudently disregarded the prophesy—some sources say Jocasta intentionally got Lauis drunk—and Oedipus was conceived. Thus, while Oedipus is, to a large extent, a pawn of Fate, at the root of that ill destiny is an act of Free Will that went against nature and angered the gods.

25. Prologue The drama begins with the people of Thebes entering, led by a priest. The city is suffering famine and plague and all are desperate to discover its cause. In Greek thought, there was no dividing line between natural and moral law. If the gods were punishing the city, there must be some reason for it; someone was guilty of some offense. Oedipus enters and asks why they have come to see him. The priest answers, telling of the great travail they have endured. They have come to see Oedipus as the one man most likely to be able to solve the problem. After all, he solved the riddle of the sphinx and freed them from its oppression, for which they made him their king.

26. Prologue and Parados Oedipus tells them he has anticipated their visit and has already sent his brother-in-law, Creon, to Delphi to seek the Oracle's advice. Creon returns as they are talking and delivers the Oracle's message. The former king, Laios, was murdered. The plague will not be lifted until that murderer is discovered and punished. Oedipus questions Creon, learning that Laios was killed while on a pilgrimage. One of his servants escaped and said that the king and his attendants were set upon by a band of highwaymen. Oedipus promises to find and punish the guilty party. PARADOS After the stage empties, the chorus makes its entrance for the parados, the first of six choral interludes. They describe the city's suffering and implore the gods to send them deliverance.