OedipusNotes

Return to Oedipus Oedipus Rex Background Information 1. What is man's place in the universe? 2. Man has limited control over his fate. 3. The gods are not always benevolent. 4. Man can choose truth. 5. Human destiny is uncertain. 6. Listen to the gods and their prophecies. 7. Blindness vs. Sight
 * Themes**


 * Reading a Greek Play**
 * The play is divided into a prologue and five episodes.
 * The episodes are the chorus passages.
 * The play is famous for its dramatic irony.
 * Aristotle said "a play must have a beginning, middle, and end."

I. Background
 * Greek Theatre**
 * Began as part of a religious festival
 * Was part of festivals in spring and fall to honor Dionysus (god of wine and fertility)
 * Held to honor gods
 * Held in front of temple
 * Began in 400 B.C. (5th century)

II. Parts of play
 * Beginning - background of issue/problem (conflict)
 * Middle - conflict is expanded
 * End - resolution

III. Parts of the theatre
 * Orchestra "dancing place" - area in front of of the temple where actors performed
 * Theatron - "viewing" area
 * Skene - area "backstage" for changing costumes, exiting characters
 * Scenery and sets (limited); Banners, Three-sided screen

IV. Plays
 * Began as myths and stories from Greek history and mythology
 * Purpose: to teach a religious lesson
 * Two kinds of plays: Tragedy - ends badly, about "noble" people; catharsis - mixture of fear and pity felt by the audience for a high ranking character; Comedy - satirized Greek life - could be about lower ranking people
 * Plays - general info: All day festivals; Several plays performed; Mix of tragedy and comedy; Every one attended the festivals; Prizes given for best play, best actor at festival
 * Everyone knew the stories already - the intrigue was over the playwright's "twist" or "delivery"

[|Greek Theater Clip]

V. Actors
 * Men only!
 * Masks worn: Used cork and linen; Allowed different actors to play the same role or women's roles; Open (cut out) of eyes and mouth; Attempted realism for tragedy; Become exaggerated or grotesque for comedy
 * Costumes worn: Chiton - Long sleeved, ankle length draped robe embroidered and decorated; Footwear - //Tragedy//: thick-soled boots called cothurni (buckskins); //Comedy//: sandals called socks
 * Thespis: Leader of chorus (534 B.C.); Invented the "lead" in chorus; Writer who invented "speech" for an actor; Won a play contest; Today "Thespian" means actor

VI. Chorus
 * 15 men: Could speak in unison; Could be divided into small groups
 * Purpose: Act like a single actor; Express the playwright's opinion ex "Listen to the gods!"; React the way the author wants the audience to react; Set the mood; Add action, color, movement; Play instruments, sing, dance

VII. Playwrights //Tragedy// //Comedies (342-291 B.C.)//
 * Aeschuylus (525-456 B.C.): "Father of Greek Drama" or "Father of Tragedy"; Write 70 to 90 plays" only 7 survive; Introduced the second actor - invented dialogue; Created the triology - Agamemnon; Wrote about lofty ideals
 * Sophocles (496-406 B.C.): Introduced the third actor; Wrote 110 plays; only 7 survive; Humanized dialogue and characters; Created dramatic action leading to plot structure; Allowed his characters to ask "Why?"; Won the first prize 18 times!; Wrote __Oedipus__ - the greatest of all Greek tragedies
 * Euripedes (485-406 B.C.): Reduced the role of the chorus; Wrote 92 plays; only 17 survive; Emphasized human relationships instead of religious views; made fun of the gods, presented them as immoral or ridiculous; Became a master of pathos - human sorrow and compassion; Wrote __Medes__
 * Aristophanese (450-380 B.C.): Keen observer of humanity; Considered nothing sacred; skilled satirist; mocked leaders & gods; Wrote 40 plays, only 11 survive; Wrote //Lysistrata//
 * Meander (342-291 B.C.): Wrote gentle comedies for stock characters; chorus disappears; Wrote sentimental comedy based on a love story; Wrote 100 plays, only 1 survives - __The Curmudgeon__

VIII. Oedipus
 * Greatest Greek Tragedy
 * Illustration of Hubris (sin of excessive pride) - Life Lesson
 * Dramatic Irony
 * Story begins "in the middle of things"
 * Solution is needed: plague is raging; what will the king do?
 * Action takes place in less than a day
 * Oedipus' entire life story is told in that day
 * Discovery of previous events
 * "Who killed King Laius?"