Oedipus RexOedipus Rex

““Swollen Foot King”Swollen Foot King”

Hmm…sounds interesting!Hmm…sounds interesting!

Drama Terms to KnowDrama Terms to Know

Monologue-a long speech monopolizing Monologue-a long speech monopolizing conversationconversation

Soliloquy-a dramatic monologue meant to Soliloquy-a dramatic monologue meant to represent thoughtsrepresent thoughts

Act-a division of a play which may consist Act-a division of a play which may consist of one or more scenesof one or more scenes

Tragedy v. ComedyTragedy v. Comedy

Tragedy-a serious drama describing Tragedy-a serious drama describing a conflict btwn. the protagonist and a a conflict btwn. the protagonist and a superior force; has a sorrowful or superior force; has a sorrowful or disastrous conclusiondisastrous conclusion

Comedy-Less serious drama; has a Comedy-Less serious drama; has a successful conclusion after a successful conclusion after a struggle; purpose is to amusestruggle; purpose is to amuse

Drama terms to know. . .Drama terms to know. . .

Stage Direction-author’s cues in Stage Direction-author’s cues in parentheses designed to aid character parentheses designed to aid character movements/emotionsmovements/emotions

Antagonist-person/force in conflict with Antagonist-person/force in conflict with main character; in a tragedy-brings out main character; in a tragedy-brings out the flawthe flaw

Protagonist-main characterProtagonist-main character

Drama Terms…Drama Terms…

Prologue-provides background info. Prologue-provides background info. to the storyto the story

In Media ResIn Media Res-In the middle of the -In the middle of the sequence of events sequence of events

Dramatic Irony-when the audience Dramatic Irony-when the audience understands something a character understands something a character does notdoes not

Greek Stuff to KnowGreek Stuff to Know The word drama comes The word drama comes

from the Greek word from the Greek word “Dran,” meaning “to do” “Dran,” meaning “to do” or “to act”or “to act”

Greek theater developed Greek theater developed as part of the religious as part of the religious festival to honor the festival to honor the Greek god Dionysus—god Greek god Dionysus—god of food and wineof food and wine

Dramatic RolesDramatic Roles

Greeks weren’t fans of violence Greeks weren’t fans of violence on stage, and so adopted the on stage, and so adopted the role of the messenger—reported role of the messenger—reported what was going on in other what was going on in other places—especially violenceplaces—especially violence

The chorus-gives info. and tells The chorus-gives info. and tells the reaction of the citythe reaction of the city

Limitations to Greek TheatreLimitations to Greek Theatre

BIG audiences—couldn’t see actors. BIG audiences—couldn’t see actors. Therefore, actors wore large masks and Therefore, actors wore large masks and robes to show emotion.robes to show emotion.

No girls-Masks and robes showed genderNo girls-Masks and robes showed gender No curtainsNo curtains No lightingNo lighting No violence on stageNo violence on stage No intermissionNo intermission Chorus always on stageChorus always on stage

OedipusOedipus background background

Sophocles is the author, but the Sophocles is the author, but the myth of Oedipus was told for ages.myth of Oedipus was told for ages.

Setting: ThebesSetting: ThebesOedipus solved the riddle of the Oedipus solved the riddle of the

Sphinx—Can you??Sphinx—Can you??

The Tragic Hero/TragedyThe Tragic Hero/Tragedy Tragic Hero-A character, Tragic Hero-A character,

usually of high birth, neither usually of high birth, neither totally good nor totally evil, totally good nor totally evil, whose downfall is brought whose downfall is brought about by some weakness or about by some weakness or error in judgmenterror in judgment

Harmatia-a tragic flaw, Harmatia-a tragic flaw, weakness of character or weakness of character or error in judgment that causes error in judgment that causes fall of herofall of hero

Hubris-arrogance or pride Hubris-arrogance or pride which causes the hero’s which causes the hero’s transgression against gods; transgression against gods; usually the tragic flawusually the tragic flaw

Tragic Hero/TragedyTragic Hero/Tragedy

Anagnorisis-recognition of Anagnorisis-recognition of truth/discovery of hero; change from truth/discovery of hero; change from ignorance to knowledgeignorance to knowledge

Peripeteia-reversal of fortunePeripeteia-reversal of fortuneNemesis-Greek goddess of Nemesis-Greek goddess of

retributionretributionCatharsis-A purge of emotions that Catharsis-A purge of emotions that

leaves the viewer relieved and elatedleaves the viewer relieved and elated

The FallThe Fall

A HERO -> WITH a TRAGIC FLAWA HERO -> WITH a TRAGIC FLAW STRUGGLES (against society, fate, self…STRUGGLES (against society, fate, self…

through a series of wrong choices)through a series of wrong choices) LEADS TO:LEADS TO:

1. Reversal-the fall (Peripeteia)1. Reversal-the fall (Peripeteia)2. Suffering-mental and/or physical2. Suffering-mental and/or physical3. Recognition-knows what he/she 3. Recognition-knows what he/she

did did wrong (Anagnorisis)wrong (Anagnorisis)• And then…death, destruction, waste of And then…death, destruction, waste of

herohero