1. Oedipus Background Information

2. I. Social and Political-Athens, 5 th century B.C. A. Sophocles-born in Athens in 497 B.C. B. People had a strong sense of patriotism. C. Democracy

3. II. Religious Ideas A. Many gods B. Believed in Fate as a divine force C. Lived moderately D. Religious duty was to bury the dead

4. III. Origins of Greek Drama (Tragedy) A. Religious festivals in honor of Dionysus 1. Dithyramb-hymn sung in honor of the god 2. Chorus-group of about 50 who sang and danced 3. Thespis 4. Aeschylus 5. Sophocles 6. Euripides B. Tragedy (see later slide) 1. Tragic hero 2. First theater

5. First Theater The first theater was on the slopes of the Acropolis. People sat in the open air on benches, which surrounded the stage on three sides. Because it was a religious ceremony, the performance was dignified and serious. People expected to be awakened to truth, and to experience a discussion on life’s most serious issues. The first theater was on the slopes of the Acropolis. People sat in the open air on benches, which surrounded the stage on three sides. Because it was a religious ceremony, the performance was dignified and serious. People expected to be awakened to truth, and to experience a discussion on life’s most serious issues.

6. IV. Structure of Theater A. Theatron-seeing place where audience sat B. Orchestra-circular dancing place where actors and Chorus performed C. Thymele-altar to Dionysus in center of orchestra D. Skene-building used as dressing room E. Proskenion-façade of skene building which served as backdrop F. Parodos-entrance to the theater used by Chorus

9. V. Stage Conventions of the Greek Theater A. Use of dramatic irony B. All actors were male C. Never have more than three actors on stage D. Performed in the daytime E. Written in poetic verse F. Observed the “three unities” 1. Unity of time 2. Unity of place 3. Unity of subject G. Use of Messengers

10. VI. Chorus A. 15-20 men B. Function was to: 1. Set the tone 2. Give background information 3. Recall events of the past 4. Interpret and summarize events 5. Ask questions 6. At times, give opinions 7. Give advice, if asked 8. Stay objective, in the sense that it did not disagree with the leading character 9. Act like a jury of elders or wise men, who listened to the evidence in the play and reached a moralistic conclusion at the end

11. VII. Elements of a Tragedy A. plot-how the action is arranged 1. Tragedy: a play with a serious theme that usually ends unhappily for the main character sent in motion by some tragic flaw in his/her personality (harmartia) 2. Hubris: arrogance demonstrated by a character as a result of his/her pride or passion 3. Foreshadowing: clues as to what will probably happen later in the play 4. Climax: the highest point of emotional tension or the turning point of the plot 5. Catharsis: the purification of character’s emotions and/or the relief of emotional tension 6. Denouement: the resolution of the main conflict (not usually a happy outcome for the main character)

12. B. Characters C. Theme-the main idea or message as the central focus D. Language/diction E. Music-the odes sung by the chorus and choragus F. Spectacle-the scenes, props, costumes, masks…anything visual

13. VIII. Greek Tragedy Structure A. Prologue: spoken by one or two characters B. Parodos: sung by the chorus C. Episodes/Scenes: main action of the play D. Odes: songs and often dance that reflect the events of episodes 1. Choragos: leader of the chorus who often interacts with the characters 2. Chorus: singers and dancers who remark the action a. strophe: the movement of the chorus from right to left b. Antistrophe: the reaction to the strophe, which moves from left to right E. Paean: prayer of thanksgiving to Dionysus F. Exodos: sung by the chorus as it makes its final exit