Greek TragedyGreek Tragedy

Greece

Greece

Ancient Greek World

Thebes

Delphi – the

oracle

CorinthAthens

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.

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!

Sophocles

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

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

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

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.

Structure of Greek Drama and Sophocles’ Plays

The structure of Greek Drama:

1. Violence and Death Offstage

2. Frequent use of messengers to relate information

3. Usually a single place (setting)

4. Stories based on myth or history, but varied interpretations of both

Characteristics of a Sophocles’ play:

1. Emphasis on individual characters

2. Reduced role of the Chorus

3. Complex characters, psychological well-motivated

4. Characters subjected to crisis which leads to suffering and self-recognition

5. Common Theme: The choices people make and consequences

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 EnchantressA mythical creature

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.

The Ancient Ruins of the Oracle at Delphi

The Pythia ( Priestess )

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.

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.

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.