Oedipus RexOedipus Rex

SophoclesSophocles

Greek Drama & MythologyGreek Drama & Mythology

Greek Drama and MythologyGreek Drama and Mythology

Greek tragedies were based on widely-Greek tragedies were based on widely-known myths or famous historical events.known myths or famous historical events.

The Audience knew the story.The Audience knew the story.

The surprises were The surprises were notnot in the plot, but in in the plot, but in the way the playwright used the familiar the way the playwright used the familiar material.material.

The Origins of Greek DramaThe Origins of Greek Drama

2 Most Important Influences on Athenian 2 Most Important Influences on Athenian Drama-Drama-– HomerHomer– Narrative Lyric Poetry with ChorusesNarrative Lyric Poetry with Choruses

Homer and Epic PoemsHomer and Epic Poems

Homer’s two greatest works…Homer’s two greatest works…Work #1:Work #1:– Narrates just a little of the Trojan WarNarrates just a little of the Trojan War– Considered by Aristotle to be the parent of tragedyConsidered by Aristotle to be the parent of tragedy– Multiple tragedies take their characters from this work.Multiple tragedies take their characters from this work.

Work #2:Work #2:– Time after the Trojan WarTime after the Trojan War– A long Journey by a VERY popular personA long Journey by a VERY popular person

Other Epic PoemsOther Epic Poems

Lyric PoetryLyric Poetry

Sung by large chorusesSung by large choruses

Evolution of Chorus LeaderEvolution of Chorus Leader

Usually dedicated to the godsUsually dedicated to the gods

Of All the Greeks…Of All the Greeks…Only Three Survive…Only Three Survive…

AeschylusAeschylus

SophoclesSophocles

EuripedesEuripedes

Conventions of Greek DramaConventions of Greek Drama

Masks & WigsMasks & Wigs

CostumesCostumes

Limited StagingLimited Staging

Action of a Greek Tragedy- 1 DayAction of a Greek Tragedy- 1 Day

Chorus, three actors, and mute charactersChorus, three actors, and mute characters

Orchestra- DanceOrchestra- Dance

Aulos- Double WindAulos- Double Wind

The Greek StageThe Greek Stage

StructureStructure

Prologue----Entrance of Chorus----Several Prologue----Entrance of Chorus----Several Episodes separated by choral odesEpisodes separated by choral odes

Difference with our viewing and the Difference with our viewing and the original…original…

Aristotelian TragedyAristotelian Tragedy

Origin of the Tragic HeroOrigin of the Tragic Hero

Hamartia (Mistake or Tragic Flaw)Hamartia (Mistake or Tragic Flaw)

Peripeteia (Reversal of Fortune)Peripeteia (Reversal of Fortune)

Fear and Pity in the AudienceFear and Pity in the Audience

Catharsis (Cleansing of the Soul)Catharsis (Cleansing of the Soul)

A question…A question…

What walks on four legs in the morning, What walks on four legs in the morning, two legs in the afternoon, and three legs in two legs in the afternoon, and three legs in the evening? the evening?

Journal Entry #1Journal Entry #1

Did someone ever make a prediction related to Did someone ever make a prediction related to you or someone close to you? Did you ever you or someone close to you? Did you ever question whether that would come true? Did it question whether that would come true? Did it change the way you acted or behaved? Why?change the way you acted or behaved? Why?

If you never have… Do you believe some people If you never have… Do you believe some people are psychic and can make predictions about the are psychic and can make predictions about the future? Should those predictions guide an future? Should those predictions guide an individual’s actions?individual’s actions?

Mr. Kott’s Horoscope for Today…Mr. Kott’s Horoscope for Today…

Daily Overview: September 05, 2008 Daily Overview: September 05, 2008 TAURUSTAURUSApril 20-May 20April 20-May 20

It's hard to let go sometimes and you are It's hard to let go sometimes and you are finding it harder than ever right now. It's finding it harder than ever right now. It's important for you to at least make the important for you to at least make the effort, though, because you need some effort, though, because you need some kind of closure soon.kind of closure soon.

VocabularyVocabulary

ApolloApolloHermesHermesDionysusDionysusHubrisHubrisOraclesOraclesSphinxSphinxAntistropheAntistropheAulosAulosCatharsisCatharsisChorusChorusDemigodDemigodEpicEpicEpisodeEpisode

HamartiaHamartiaOrchestraOrchestraPaeanPaeanParodosParodosPeripeteiaPeripeteiaProloguePrologue

A Summary of Oedipus RexA Summary of Oedipus Rex

The Oedipus story is set a few generations before the The Oedipus story is set a few generations before the Trojan War. King Laius of Thebes receives a prophesy Trojan War. King Laius of Thebes receives a prophesy that his son would kill him. To avoid the outcome of the that his son would kill him. To avoid the outcome of the prophecy, Laius had his baby exposed to the elements prophecy, Laius had his baby exposed to the elements on a distant mountain, where his feet were nailed on a distant mountain, where his feet were nailed together (hence his name).together (hence his name).Saved and raised as prince of Corinth, he tries to Saved and raised as prince of Corinth, he tries to discover his true birth & encounters a man on the road, discover his true birth & encounters a man on the road, killing him. Oedipus then meets a sphinx, solves its killing him. Oedipus then meets a sphinx, solves its riddle, and saves Thebes.riddle, and saves Thebes.Thebes rejoices and named him king, and there you Thebes rejoices and named him king, and there you go…go…

While Reading Oedipus RexWhile Reading Oedipus RexPay Attention to…Pay Attention to…

The Role of Dramatic Irony in the PlayThe Role of Dramatic Irony in the PlayEmergence of Multiple themes, concepts, and Emergence of Multiple themes, concepts, and questionsquestions– Sin and RetributionSin and Retribution– Divine JusticeDivine Justice– Characteristics of a Good RulerCharacteristics of a Good Ruler– Search for IdentitySearch for Identity– Fate?Fate?– SufferingSuffering– TruthTruth– Human IntellectHuman Intellect

Let’s begin…Let’s begin…