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Greek Drama. Key Terms. Drama : a story acted out on a stage for an audience. Tragedy : a dramatic work that presents the downfall of a dignified character, usually ending in a character’s death.
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Key Terms • Drama: a story acted out on a stage for an audience. • Tragedy: a dramatic work that presents the downfall of a dignified character, usually ending in a character’s death. • Comedy: a dramatic work that is light and often humorous in tone, usually ending happily, with a peaceful resolution of the main conflict.
Key Terms • Irony: usually involved a misunderstanding or difference in understanding, creating a gap in understanding that is appreciated by the audience. • Situational or Dramatic Irony: the reader or audience has knowledge of a situation that the characters do not know. The characters’ subsequent actions based on that missing information creates irony. • Tragic Irony: a noble character is undone by mistaken judgment.
Dramatic Beginnings • Greek drama began in 6th century B.C. • Religious festivals honoring Dionysus, the god of wine and fertility, or new growth. • Masked dancers performed on a circular stage.
Thespis of Icaria, a Greek poet, introduced the first actor to the stage. • The term thespian, meaning actor, comes from his name. • The one actor would represent multiple characters through the use of masks and costumes.
Plays continued to be religious in nature. • Asked questions about the role of fate in human life and the relationship between mortals and the gods. • tragedy comes from the Greek word for goat, a sacred animal to Dionysus.
And then… • Plays evolved into a form of entertainment • Writers competed for prizes before thousands of spectators at the festivals of Dionysus in Athens • Hundreds of Greek tragedies were performed • Only 35 have survived
Plays were based on myths and legends that audiences were familiar with. • Audience is aware of things that the characters are not (Dramatic Irony).
Imagine watching a play about Little Red Riding Hood or any other familiar fairy tale. What would you know that the characters would not? • THAT’S DRAMATIC IRONY!
Four Great Play Writers • Sophocles, Euripides, Aeschylus (tragedy) • Aristophanes (comedy) • Each contributed something significant to the stage.
What They Did for the Tragedy: • Aeschylus: added a second actor, which created dialogue • Sophocles: added a third actor, which created more intriguing plots • Euripides: added stage effects and more realistic characters
More about Sophocles • In his youth, he was a wrestler, a dancer, and a musician • He became a military leader, and worked in politics • He served as an ambassador and a public treasurer. • Helped establish the first Athenian hospital • Handsome, charming, friendly, and well-educated • Highly regarded in Athenian society
Tragic Hero • Character in a drama who is dignified or noble, yet possesses a tragic flaw that brings about or contributes to his or her downfall. • Recognizes the flaw only after it is too late to change the course of events. • Examples of tragic flaws: poor judgment, pride, weakness • Oedipus is a tragic hero.
The Legend of Oedipus:Somebody Call CPS • Oedipus was the son of King Laius and Queen Jocasta of Thebes. • An oracletold Laius (Oedipus's father) that a son born to him would kill him. • Laius ordered servant to pin baby’s feet together and leave him to die on a mountain. • The servant pitied the infant and, instead, gave him to a shepherd. • The shepherd gave him to King Polybus and Queen Merope of Corinth. • Oedipus means “swollen foot”
The Plot Thickens • Oedipus learns that his father was not actually his father from a drunken partier. • Oedipus goes to see the oracle at Delphi (local psychic) to find out the truth about his parents. • The oracle reveals a terrible prophecy: • Oedipus would kill his father and marry his mother.
I Know Something You Don’t Know • Oedipus flees Corinth in an attempt to prevent the prophecy from coming true. • On his way to Thebes, he runs into King Laius and some servants at a crossroad (symbolic?). • Remember, he does not know this is his dad (but we do: dramatic irony). • They get into an argument and Oedipus kills Laius.
What’s That Egyptian Thing Have to Do With This? • When Oedipus gets to Thebes, there is a monster (The Sphinx) terrorizing the town. • The Sphinx has the face of a woman, the body of a lion, and the wings of a bird. • A riddle for you: “What is it that walks on four legs in the morning, on two at midday, and on three in the evening?” • It (she?) ate anyone who could not solve the riddle.
And the Answer is: • Oedipus was a smart guy: “Man, for he crawls as a baby, walks erect in maturity, and uses a staff in old age.” • With the riddle answered, the Sphinx destroyed itself, and Thebes was freed from the terror • Go Oedipus!
Now Presenting • Oedipus is named the new king of Thebes (of course). • AND he scores a new lady. • He rules Thebes for many years – he is a good king. • Prophecy, Prophecy, Prophecy • Irony, Irony, Irony
Thebes in Trouble Again • The Sphinx is dead, but now the city is dealing with a terrible plague. • It is in his effort to bring the plague to an end that Oedipus discovers the secret of his birth. • Some scholars believe that this drama may have first been performed after Athens had suffered through a terrible plague, which began in 430 B.C.
Things to Ponder as We Read • Does Oedipus fit the definition of a tragic hero? • How do the words and actions of minor characters help you understand the main characters? • What strategies do you need to use in reading a play? • Where do you see examples of dramatic irony? • How does this add to the telling of the story? • Preview the questions that you will be answering at the end of the play.
