1. Oedipus Rex Background

2. Terminology Choragos: leader of the Chorus Chorus: a company of performers whose singing, dancing, & narration provides explanation & elaboration of the main action Prologue: opening scene Parados: entrance song of the Chorus Exodos: concluding scene

3. Terminology, Continued Strophe: song sung by the Chorus as it turns from one side of the orchestra to the other Antistrophe: song sung while the Chorus moves in the direction opposite from that of the strophe Ode: song chanted by the Chorus that separates one scene from the next

4. Greek Theater

5. Characteristics of Greek Chorus Group of approximately 15 men Sang poetry & danced Unpaid, drawn from public at large Performing this role was seen as a civic duty Were trained and costumed Wore dresses of the people they represented & wore light masks

6. Functions of Chorus Link between audience & actors Provided tension release Reflected upon what has happened, ponder what might happen, ask questions Advise central characters Conscience of the people (ethical perception) Establish mood Separated scenes of action from one another

7. The Sphinx The sphinx was a monster with the head of a woman, claws of a lion, tail of a serpent, and wings of a bird. She asked a riddle: “What walks on four legs in the morning, on two at noon, and on three in the evening?” Those who could not answer the riddle were killed.

8. Name Pronunciations Oedipus – (ED-i-pus or EED-i-pus) Iocaste – (Jo-CAST-a) Creon – (KREE-on) Teiresias – (Ti-REE-see-as) Antigone – (An-TIG-o-nee) Ismene – (Is-MEE-nee) Kithairon – (Kee-the-RON) Laius – (LI-oos) Polybos – (POL-e-bus) Merope – (MER-o-pee) Choragos – (Kor-A-gos)

9. Oedipus Strong Points Has kingly attributes; looked like a leader Has compassion & concern; cared for his people; wants to end the plague Is brave; willing to do what is necessary to save his people from more suffering Weaknesses Has no clear vision and acts upon hearing only one side of a matter because he can only see one side Acts without thinking Undergoes blind frenzies of pride Is impatient, stubborn, slow to learn, and short- tempered

10. Roles of Gods in Oedipus’ Life Gods ordained a life of horror for Oedipus He is the instrument by which their plans are fulfilled In the play, there is a humbling of a great and prosperous man by the gods; a reminder to all men that they should be modest in prosperity (gods can destroy anything at any time) Guided by supernatural powers

11. Function of the Oracles Share in the dramatic irony of the play Provide the stimulus to set the hero’s own nature in motion Point out the direction the story will take

12. Oedipus Oedipus believes in the power of man to: – Solve all problems – Be skeptical of the gods – To dedicate himself in a search for the truth; he was typical of the men of his century – Be Lord and Master of his universe – To have pride in his own intelligence

13. Conflicts in Oedipus Rex Man vs. Nature Man vs. Man Man vs. Himself Man vs. God

14. Characteristics of a Tragic Hero Man of high birth Man of great promise, ability, & integrity Has a tragic flaw or weakness Has a capacity for suffering (conscience); does not endure passively – fights back & seeks remedies His actions involve him in choices Dies at the end of the play; his downfall may be: tragic flaw, supernatural, fate/ill-luck, or combination Some men are compromisers; some are ambitious; some are completely loyal; some cannot act

15. Transgression Transgression = a violation of law, command or duty. One who transgresses (sins) goes beyond the limits set by law, command or duty.

16. 3 Forms of Transgressions (Sins) Transgression against God: break a law or commandment such as selling your soul to devil, committing adultery, etc. Transgression against man: violate the heart like betrayal of a friendship; crush a man’s spirit; rob a man of his dignity Transgression against nature: tamper with the secrets of nature such as with chemicals making a man into a monster (Dr. Jeckyl & Mr. Hyde), etc.

17. Transgression in Oedipus Rex What is the nature of the transgression? Why was the transgression committed? What were the consequences of the transgression? How did the character face the consequences? What is the meaning for the character & for us?