Greek Theater

Oedipus Rex

Prediction: Oedipus will murder his father.Oedipus’ bio parents give him up to a shepherd.

Shepherd gives Oedipus to King and Queen of Corinth.

Oedipus grows up – learns of legend re: his birth parents/curse – goes to find his father

Oedipus RexOedipus consults the oracle and others and learns that he murdered his father.

Oedipus married his mother, Jocasta, and had four children with her.

Jocasta commits suicide.

Oedipus gouges his eyes out and eventually dies.

Antigone and Ismene are his daughters.

Eteocles and Polyneices are his sons.

Roots in Worship of Dionysus

God of wine and revelry

Theater at Epidaurus

Example of greek theater – resembles stadium

Theater at Epidaurus

Dionysus Theater in Athens

Dionysus Theater in Athens

Dionysus Theater in Athens

Audience at Theater

of Delphi

Chorus: 12 men representing the citizens of Greece - values

Chorus

Masks of Greek Theater

Tragic playwrights:

Sophocles - antigone

Masks of Greek Theater

Quick costume changes

Masks of Greek Theater

Masks of Greek Theater

Maenads and Satyrs

Dionysus and Satyrs

Greek Comedy and Aristophanes

Aristotle’s Poetics

Central Character is of the Elite Class

Central Character suffers a Downfall

Central Character is Neither Wholly good

nor wholly evil

Downfall is the result of a TRAGIC

Flaw

Misfortunes involve characters who are related or who are

friends

Tragic actions take place offstage

Central Character has a moment of

recognition

Audience experiences pity

and fear

Pity and Fear leads to a catharsis

Sophocles

Oedipus Rex

Oedipus at Colonus

Antigone

Delphi

Delphi

Delphi

Oracle of Delphi

Oedipus and Sphinx

Oedipus and Sphinx

Oedipus and Sphinx