Greek Tragedy

1. Greek Tragedy

2. Greece Greece

3. Ancient Greek World Thebes Delphi – the oracle Corinth Athens

4. Origins of Drama • The Greeks attended festivals of song, as early as 550 B.C. • The poet, Thespis, introduced an actor into festival performances • Today, actors are often referred to as thespians! • After Thespis, the playwright, Aeschylus, [eskelus] introduced a 2nd actor and reduced the chorus from 50 to 12 people. Thus, reducing the importance of the chorus and increasing the importance of the actors. • Later, Sophocles added the 3rd actor and fixed the chorus at 15.

5. Theatre of Dionysus • Formal theatre in Athens evolved from festivals related to the cult of Dionysus, the Greek god of fertility and wine. • Festivals were Closely associated with religion and worshipping gods. • There were Competitive prizes – maybe a goat!

6. One of the greatest playwrights of the golden age of Greece Born in 495 B.C. about a mile northwest of Athens The son of a wealthy merchant, he would enjoy all the comforts of a thriving Greek empire. He studied all of the arts. Performed in his own plays. Greatest masterpieces: Oedipus and Antigone Sophocles

7. Greek Theater Skene: Building at rear of stage Theatron: spectator seating area, divided in sections Parodos: Entrance to the Orchestra Proskenion a raised platform in front of the skene on which the actors perform. Chorus: large groups of performers with a significant role Orchestra: Place of the action, the choral performances, and the religious rite

8. The Greek Chorus • Began as large as 50, then smaller in size as actors become more predominate. • They provided time for: • scene changes • introduced background • Gave summary information. • Acts as a spectator to the action. • Asks questions, takes part in the play • Heightens dramatic effect through movement, song and dance • Rhythmical Function-pauses/paces the action so audience can reflect and actors can rest/prepare

9. Genre: Greek Tragedy • the word "tragedy" refers primarily to tragic drama: • a central character called a tragic protagonist or hero suffers some serious misfortune. • Tragedy stresses the vulnerability of human beings whose suffering is brought on by a combination of human and divine actions.

10. Structure of Greek Drama and Sophocles’ Plays The structure of Greek Drama: • Violence and Death Offstage • Frequent use of messengers to relate information • Usually a single place (setting) • Stories based on myth or history, but varied interpretations of both Characteristics of a Sophocles’ play: • Emphasis on individual characters • Reduced role of the Chorus • Complex characters, psychological well-motivated • Characters subjected to crisis which leads to suffering and self-recognition • Common Theme: The choices people make and consequences

11. Oedipus • The plays opens with Oedipus as King of Thebes. • How did he become King? • He arrives at Thebes on his travels. Where did he come from? • More about that later! • Thebes is suffering from plague and pestilence caused by the presence of the Sphinx that won’t go away until its riddle is solved. • The riddle: • What walks on 4 legs in the morning? 2 legs at noon? And 3 legs in the evening? • Oedipus solves the riddle. • The citizens of Thebes adore him- he is a hero. • Queen Jocasta, a little older, marries the hero, Oedipus. • He becomes King! • They have 4 children: 2 boys and 2 girls. The winged Enchantress A mythical creature

12. Oedipus and his DNA • Laius and Jocasta were King and Queen of the great city of Thebes. • Before Oedipus was even born, his life was clouded with the threat of disaster. • Apollo’s oracle forecasted that he was one day destined to kill his father, and marry his mother! • Years passed, and Laius and Jocasta abstained from the marriage bed in fear of the curse. • Until one night while intoxicated, they abandoned caution and made love. • A son was conceived that night. • When born, they gave their infant son to a servant with orders to be left on a mountainside to die. • The baby’s ankles were pinned. • The servant instead gave the baby to a shepherd from Corinth, who in turn gave the baby to his king, King Polybus who was childless. • Polybus and his wife Merope raised the child as their own. • Oedipus grows up in Corinth. • When he was a young man, he attended a party at the palace. • He over hears a drunk servant say that the King and Queen are not his real parents. • Upset, Oedipus confronts his parents and they deny this. • The confused Oedipus leaves Corinth and heads to the famous Oracle at Delphi to discover his true parentage. • Before we find out what the Oracle tells him, let’s examine the famous Oracle at Delphi.

13. The Ancient Ruins of the Oracle at Delphi

14. The Pythia ( Priestess )

15. Consulting the Oracle • Image on a cup: 440-430 BC • Housed in the Berlin Museum ( Germany ) • Aegeus, a mythical king of Athens, consults the Pythia, who sits on a tripod. • This is the only contemporary image of the Pythia.

16. Oedipus at the Oracle • The Oracle tells him: • “You will grow up to kill your father and marry your mother.” • Horrified at this prophecy, Oedipus vows never to return to Corinth. • Believing Polybus and Merope are his real parents, he vows never to return to Corinth. • During his travels, Oedipus comes to a place where three roads meet. • He encounters the royal company of King Laius. • Oedipus refuses to step aside to let them pass. • The King’s chariot driver rides over Oedipus’ foot. • In a fit of rage, Oedipus kills everyone in sight, except for one servant who escaped. • Unbeknownst to Oedipus, he killed his own father fulfilling part of his destiny. • Oedipus continues his journey.

17. Oedipus – On to Thebes… • Oedipus arrives in Thebes. • Meets the Sphinx. • Solves the riddle. • Marries the Queen. • Lives a great life. • Until…Thebes falls on hard times again. • The gods are angry because the previous king, King Lauis, was killed and the gods want the killer found – they want justice.