Background on Greek Dramaand Oedipus Rexby SophoclesBackground on Greek Dramaand Oedipus Rexby Sophocles
Greek Dramatic StructureGreek Dramatic Structure
THE PROLOGUE (PROLOGOS): THEOPENING PORTION OF THE PLAY,WHICH SETS THE SCENE ANDCONTAINS THE EXPOSITION OR BASICSITUATION.THE PROLOGUE (PROLOGOS): THEOPENING PORTION OF THE PLAY,WHICH SETS THE SCENE ANDCONTAINS THE EXPOSITION OR BASICSITUATION.
THE PARADOS: THE ENTRANCE SONGOF THE CHORUS. THE PARADOS ISNAMED AFTER THE BROAD AISLE ONEITHER SIDE OF THE THEATER,WHERE THE CHORUS ENTERED OREXITED.THE PARADOS: THE ENTRANCE SONGOF THE CHORUS. THE PARADOS ISNAMED AFTER THE BROAD AISLE ONEITHER SIDE OF THE THEATER,WHERE THE CHORUS ENTERED OREXITED.
Greek Dramatic StructureGreek Dramatic Structure
THE EPISODES (SCENES): SCENE IN THEACTION OF THE DRAMA... THE EPISODESALTERNATE WITH THE STASIMONS (ODES).THE EPISODES (SCENES): SCENE IN THEACTION OF THE DRAMA... THE EPISODESALTERNATE WITH THE STASIMONS (ODES).
THE STASIMONS (ODES): A CHORALPASSAGE, ALTERNATING WITH THEEPISODES OF THE PLOT OF THE DRAMA.AN ODE IS A TYPE OF LYRIC POEM. THETRAGIC ODE CONSISTS OF STROPHES(CHANTS) AND ANTISTROPHES(RESPONSES) IN STANZAS OF THE POEMS.THIRD PART OF THE ODE IS THE EPODE.THE STASIMONS (ODES): A CHORALPASSAGE, ALTERNATING WITH THEEPISODES OF THE PLOT OF THE DRAMA.AN ODE IS A TYPE OF LYRIC POEM. THETRAGIC ODE CONSISTS OF STROPHES(CHANTS) AND ANTISTROPHES(RESPONSES) IN STANZAS OF THE POEMS.THIRD PART OF THE ODE IS THE EPODE.
Greek Dramatic StructureGreek Dramatic Structure
EXODUS: THE CONCLUDING SECTION OFTHE TRAGEDY. THE EXODUS ENDS WITHTHE CHORUS SINGING THEIR FINAL LINESAS THEY EXIT.EXODUS: THE CONCLUDING SECTION OFTHE TRAGEDY. THE EXODUS ENDS WITHTHE CHORUS SINGING THEIR FINAL LINESAS THEY EXIT.
Greek Dramatic StructureGreek Dramatic Structure
A CLASSIC GREEK TRAGEDY CONSISTS OF:A CLASSIC GREEK TRAGEDY CONSISTS OF:
–PROLOGUE–PROLOGUE
–PARADOS–PARADOS
–SCENE 1 (EPISODE 1)- action–SCENE 1 (EPISODE 1)- action
–ODE 1 (STASIMON 1)- chorus–ODE 1 (STASIMON 1)- chorus
–SCENE 2 (EPISODE 2) - action–SCENE 2 (EPISODE 2) - action
–ODE 2 (STASIMON 2) - chorus–ODE 2 (STASIMON 2) - chorus
–SCENE 3 (EPISODE 3) - action–SCENE 3 (EPISODE 3) - action
–ODE 3 (STASIMON 3) - chorus–ODE 3 (STASIMON 3) - chorus
–SCENE 4 (EPISODE 4) - action–SCENE 4 (EPISODE 4) - action
–ODE 4 (STASIMON 4) - chorus–ODE 4 (STASIMON 4) - chorus
–EXODUS–EXODUS
Common in Greek Tragedy:Common in Greek Tragedy:
Dramatic irony: When the audience knowssomething that the characters don’t knowDramatic irony: When the audience knowssomething that the characters don’t know
Fall of Hubris: Hubris is excessive pride. Manytragedies deal with human pride leading toarrogant behaviors that anger the gods. Thus,man must be punished.Fall of Hubris: Hubris is excessive pride. Manytragedies deal with human pride leading toarrogant behaviors that anger the gods. Thus,man must be punished.
Fate vs. Destiny: Many tragedies featurecharacters who try to escape unfavorableprophecies. This is futile, however, as man doesnot often have the power or luck to changehis/her fate as determined by cosmic forces orgods/goddesses.Fate vs. Destiny: Many tragedies featurecharacters who try to escape unfavorableprophecies. This is futile, however, as man doesnot often have the power or luck to changehis/her fate as determined by cosmic forces orgods/goddesses.
Characteristics of a Tragic HeroCharacteristics of a Tragic Hero
Must have a fall from greatness (either power,wealth, or social standing)Must have a fall from greatness (either power,wealth, or social standing)
Must be an extraordinary person, yet have atragic flawMust be an extraordinary person, yet have atragic flaw
Tragic flaw: often a positive character trait that,when taken to the extreme, causes tragedyTragic flaw: often a positive character trait that,when taken to the extreme, causes tragedy
Must experience a moment of realization thathe/she has erredMust experience a moment of realization thathe/she has erred
Must suffer greatly due to his/her actions or flaw(often, but not always, this means death)Must suffer greatly due to his/her actions or flaw(often, but not always, this means death)
House of Cadmus (cont.)House of Cadmus (cont.)
Oedipus: King of ThebesOedipus: King of Thebes
Oedipus (Swollen foot) leaves his homecity of Corinth because of a prophecythat he will kill his father and marry hismother (King and Queen of Corinth).Oedipus (Swollen foot) leaves his homecity of Corinth because of a prophecythat he will kill his father and marry hismother (King and Queen of Corinth).
During his travels, he comes uponThebes, which is being terrorized bythe SphinxDuring his travels, he comes uponThebes, which is being terrorized bythe Sphinx
The Sphinx will leave the city if someonecan solve a riddle: What walks on fourlegs in the morning, two legs at noon,and three legs in the evening?”The Sphinx will leave the city if someonecan solve a riddle: What walks on fourlegs in the morning, two legs at noon,and three legs in the evening?”
Oedipus answers, “Man”. The sphinxdrowns herself in defeat. Thebes issaved!Oedipus answers, “Man”. The sphinxdrowns herself in defeat. Thebes issaved!
Oedipus: King of ThebesOedipus: King of Thebes
Oedipus becomes the kingand marries Jocasta, thequeenOedipus becomes the kingand marries Jocasta, thequeen
The former Theban king,Laius, was previouslymurderedThe former Theban king,Laius, was previouslymurdered
As the play opens, Thebesis suffering a terribleplague because Laius’death has not beenavengedAs the play opens, Thebesis suffering a terribleplague because Laius’death has not beenavenged
Oedipus Rex: CharactersOedipus Rex: Characters
Oedipus- King of ThebesOedipus- King of Thebes
Jocasta- Queen of ThebesJocasta- Queen of Thebes
Creon- Jocasta’s brother; actedas king when Laius wasmurderedCreon- Jocasta’s brother; actedas king when Laius wasmurdered
Tiresias- blind prophetTiresias- blind prophet
Messenger from Corinth (citythat Oedipus is originally from)Messenger from Corinth (citythat Oedipus is originally from)
ShepherdShepherd
Antigone and Ismene- Oedipusand Jocasta’s daughtersAntigone and Ismene- Oedipusand Jocasta’s daughters
Chorus and Chorus leader(Choragus) - act as the “voicesof society”Chorus and Chorus leader(Choragus) - act as the “voicesof society”
