The Essence of Greek Tragedy: Structure, Themes, and Influence
Greek tragedy is an ancient theatrical form aimed at evoking catharsis through fear and pity. Key structures include the Prologue, Parodos, Episodes, and Exodos, each contributing to the progression of the narrative. Originating from festivals dedicated to Dionysus, tragedies often explore mythological tales familiar to the audience. Actors, all male, donned masks and symbolic costumes to portray complex characters facing hamartia and hubris. Sophocles transformed the genre by emphasizing individual narratives in plays like "Oedipus Rex" and "Antigone," engaging audiences with ironies and moral questions.
The Essence of Greek Tragedy: Structure, Themes, and Influence
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Presentation Transcript
Greek Tragedy Aim is catharsis of spectators, to arouse in them fear and pity and then purge them of these emotions
Structure • Prologue – opening • Parodos – first ode or choral song chanted by chorus as they enter • Ode – dignified, lyrical verse • Strophe – chorus moves right to left • Antistrophe – chorus moves left to right. • Episode – acts • Stasimon – choral ode at end of each epsiode • Exodos – final action
Origin • Festival for Dionysus – 3 Days, 3 poets, 4 plays each, 3 tragedies and 1 satire, winner • Thespis – father of drama, preformed first tragedy • Story lines – from mythology, a collective social, political, and religious history; therefore, the audience was already familiar with them.
Actors • All male • Wore masks – detailed enough so character was identified, generic enough to represent every man • Chiton – robe in symbolic colors • Cothurni – platform shoes • Dramatis Personae – list of characters • Hero – hamartia, hubris, reversal/perepetia, recognition/anagnorisis
Chorus • Create psychological and emotional background • Introduce and question new characters • Point out significant events • Establish facts • Voice outlook of citizens • Cover passage of time • Separate episodes • Do not wear masks • Used megaphones
Theatron – seeing placeSkene – generic background, change costumes Orchestra – dancing placeProskenion – stageParodos – where chorus enters
Sophocles • Colonus – 496-406 BC • Replaced trilogy with individual tragedies • Electra, Antigone, Oedipus at Colonus • Man’s external pursuit of knowledge Audience • Knew the story so kept involved using irony and allusions • Expected to learn about motives and forces that moved characters
Things to look for • Light vs. Darkness • The Scapegoat • The Outcast • The Hero • The Quest • Delphic Morality – Know thyself, Nothing in Excess, Punishment is Near
The Story • Oedipus Rex (swollen foot) born to King Laius, kills dad, answers riddle of the sphinx, married mom, lived happily with four kids, plague comes to city, action begins • Oedipus at Colonus – Thebes, Oedipus’s death • Antigone – You’ll have to wait to find out.
