An Introduction to Greek Drama and Analytical Lens

Background: Greek History

• Formation of Democratic Greece: – 490 B.C. Greeks defeated the Persians in the Battle of

Marathon. ( think of the movie “300”)– democratic government- all males citizens have the

right to vote.– Starts the Golden Age of Greece and the start of

classical drama.• Largest outpour of creative energy the world has ever seen.

History of Drama• Originally:

– religious celebrations to honor Dionysus, the god of wine and fertility

– Spring: rebirth– ritual chants preformed by a chorus, alcoholic

intoxication and sexual acts.• Changed 534 B.C

– Dramatic competitions for money– Playwrights rote three tragic plays to show

MORALS– Choregos: funded the plays instead of paying

taxes

Elements of a Tragedy1. Focus on the character change rather than plot. The

character change is what advances the plot2. Two conflicts:

– External:• People in spiritual conflicts with the universe

(fates/destiny/pleasing or angering the gods)– Inner conflict

• Conflict with themselves : A personal Tragic Flaw– Pride = Hubris

3. End of play the protagonist is confronted with his tragic fate and has an unhappy ending.

4. Main character: Tragic Hero

*Characteristics of the Tragic Hero. The Tragic Hero…

1. Is of the noble class or highly renowned and prosperous

2. Has good points as well as bad points

3. Has Hamartia (tragic flaw) that causes the character to make an irreversible mistake.

4. Must suffer to gain wisdom, but then recognizes his error (epiphany) and accepts the consequences.

5. Has an Emotional release (catharsis) that causes sympathy from the audience because they realize their own flaws.

Cast of a Greek Tragedy• Actors: men• Costumes: elegant robes, huge

masks• No violence was shown on

stage. • Chorus: 15 men who sang

between scenes ( ODES) and commented on the play, representing the response of the average Greek citizen.

• Choragus: – the leader of the chorus.– Only member who interacts

with the characters– Priest in “Antigone”

Structure of Greek TragedyPrologue:

– Spoken before the chorus appears. – Gives the background necessary for understanding the conflict in

the play.Parodos/strophe/Antistrophe/Ode

– At the end of each scene, everyone leaves the stage except the chorus– Chorus sings the ode. – The Ode gives important background mythology, lectures on the

moral/immoral actions of the pervious scenes, and praises the Gods. – Also separates one scene from the next since there was no curtain

First Scene:– Presents the conflict of the play

Structure of Greek Tragedy cont.

Play alternates between Scenes and Odes until end of Scene 5.Paean (at the end of scene 5)•Hymn to praise the gods ( Dionysus)

Exodus•Last scene in the play where Tragic Hero faces the consequences of actions•Play ends with Chorus ( Priest) giving the moral of the play.

Sophocles (Author) and his Art

• Born 496 B.C. in a village outside of Athens, Greece

• Playwright of Dionysus festival• Wrote well over 100 plays, but most were lost

over the years• Most famous: Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus,

and Antigone are the Theban plays, taken from the myths surrounding the royalty of Thebes

Story of “Oedipus Rex”

• King Laius and Queen Jocasta of Thebes had a child, Oedipus.

• Oedipus was left to die as an infant so he wouldn’t fulfill the prophecy that he would kill his dad and marry his mom

• Saved by a shepherd and raised by King Polybus and Queen Merope of Corinth

Story continued

• When he was older, an oracle told him of the prophecy, and believing Polybus and Merope to be his real parents, he left Corinth.

• He met Laius on the side of the road, got into a fight with him and not knowing who he was. killed him

• He goes on to solve the Sphinx’s riddle and is rewarded by being made King of Thebes and marring Jocasta

• After he is made king, the gods are angry at his unintentional wrongdoing of killing the old king and put a plaque on Thebes

Story Continued

• Oedipus, not realizing he killed the king, starts an investigation and vows to exile whoever killed the king.

• A prophet informs Oedipus that he is the cause of the plague

• Oedipus. accused the prophet of conspiring with Creon, Jocasta’s brother to overthrow him

Story continued

• Oedipus calls for an old servant of Laius’s and at the same time a messenger from Corinth arrives to inform Oedipus that Polybus is dead.

• Through a discussion with the servant, the messenger and Jocasta, Oedipus learns that he was adopted by Polybus and that he killed his real father, Laius.

• Dramatic Irony!

Story continued

• Jocasta runs off and hangs herself• When Oedipus finds her body, he blinds

himself with her brooch.• Oedipus gives his four children to Creon

and goes into exile• Unhappy ending. • Antigone is the story of those children.

Analytical Lens (the ways in which we will examine the play)

1. Characterization2. Themes

a. Feminism/Roles of womenb. Tragic heroc. Gods law vs. mans law

3.Literary devices –Metaphor, Dramatic Irony, Verbal irony, foreshadowing

4. Persuasion techniques: pathos, ethos, logos

*Feminist Lens

Feminism: Both genders are equal in all aspects.1.To dispel gender inequalities

– see women as equal to a man. – Vote, own property, have an opinion and express

it, equal pay, free from sexual harassment and assault, reproductive freedom.

2.Dispel gender stereotypes in social roles– “Act like a Man” “Be a lady”

Feminist lens

Choose one of the prompts for your final paper. Annotate the data throughout the play. 1.How do the characters in “Antigone” perpetuate or contradict gender roles? 2.Is Antigone ( the character) a feminist or a role model? 3.How does the play “Antigone” challenge gender roles?

Background of Athenian Boys - Men

• Went to school from age 7-14

• Learned Homeric poetry and musical instruments, public speaking, reading ,writing , math , science and government

• At 18 attended military school

• Activities included politics, arts, crafts, agriculture, trade

• Always be courteous• Participated in

government and military

Background of AthenianGirls - Women

• Learned to read • Learned important

househlod skills• Leaned mythology,

religion and musical instruments

• Spent most of their time in household with other women

• Left house only for religious purposeds

• Married in their teens• Marriage was arranged• Could not own property• Had few rights• Could divorce• Participated in all

religious ceremonies• Had to obey husband• Poorer women worked

*Methods of characterization

To draw conclusions about characters we need to analyze the following information.1.What the character looks like2.How the character acts3.What the character says and thinks4.What other characters say and think about the character.

Assignments1. On the front of the play, write an

annotation key for the lens.2. One the back of the play, using the story

of Oedipus and the list of characters on the front of the play, create Antigone’s family tree. Start with Laius and Jocosta.

3. On the back of the play, write the elements of a Tragic hero.

4. In the play, mark where the Scenes start and where the Odes start.