2. FOR HOMEWORK TONIGHT: EXPLAIN THE FOLLOWING QUOTE AND STATE WHY YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE (3-4 SENTENCES PLEASE!): "Every man has his own destiny, the only imperative is to follow it, to accept it, no matter where it leads him." -Henry Miller

3. OEDIPUS THE KING A PLAY BY SOPHOCLES

4. SOPHOCLES 496 B.C. – 406 B.C. Known as greatest Greek tragic playwright, wrote 123 plays Lived in Athens (First democracy,free thought encouraged) Elected to government positions, served in armed forces Purpose of writing: Moral instruction

5. Greek THEATER: background First theater in Western world Performance an act of worship of Dionysus (God of wine and living) Actors wore masks to reflect emotions Theater held between 14,000 and 41,000 people Prizes awarded for best play

7. Oedipus the king: characters OEDIPUS, KING OF THEBES – Noble king. Curious by nature. Weak at times. JOCASTA – Queen of Thebes, supportive wife of Oedipus. CREON – Jocasta’s brother, brother-in-law of Oedipus. Tries to be a loyal servant of Oedipus. TIRESIAS – Mysterious Soothsayer (psychic) CHORUS – Group of citizens who speak in one voice and represent all Thebans. Comment on action in play, interact with characters.

8. OEDIPUS THE KING: MAJOR THEMES TO CONSIDER Play about man and gods, and how they interact How much does fate control us? Rational thought vs. irrational action (freedom and the responsibility to act properly) Hubris (tragic flaw, means “excessive pride”)

9. Elements of Greek tragedy (according to Aristotle) Main character (tragic hero) – Once great man who suffers due to error in judgment, or “tragic flaw” Deals with matters of this world Catharsis: Audience sees character’s thought process and is able to sympathize Tragic realization – A harsh lesson the character eventually learns after tragic downfall