ENGL 251

Orchestra

Where most of the acting takes place

Parados

Where the chorus enters and exits

Skene (Hut or tent)

Provides a backdrop for the play, dressing room for the actors, serves as an entrance for the actors and actresses, also may be a building in the play

Ekkyklema

Wheeled platform that rolls out of the skene.

Chorus

12

Functions of the Chorus

1. Take part in plays action
2. Provide moral commentary
3. Foreshadow events in the play
4. Provide plot info. or back story
5. Emphasize and reinforce important ideas and themes in the play.

Corypheus

Leader of the chorus, interacts with the actors individually.

Prologue

Sets parameters, back story, tone, certain ideas, and themes, gives us context and framework for the rest of the play.

Agon

Debate or struggle between two central characters.
ex. 1. Agamemnon and His wife
2. Medea and Jason

Stichomythia

Rapid exchange or argument in a Greek Drama
ex. Anitgone and Creon talking about burying her brother and how one was a traitor and one wasn't
ex p 818 Creon and Haemon fighting about Antigone's punishment.

Aristotle

His tragedies represent complete serious important action that rouse and then purges pity and fear in the spectators;

Hamartia

Central character moving from happiness to misery by some frailty or error in Aristotelian drama

Anagnorisis

Moment of recognition in an Aristotelian drama

Perpipeteia

Reversal of fortune in an Aristotelian drama

Catastrophe

Aristotelian end to a tragedy.

Four components of a Aristotelian Tragedy

Hamartia, anagnorisis, peripeteia and catastrophe.

Ecphrasis

description of a work of art in an epic

Friedrich Neitzsche

Mind Body dualism struggle. Mind is associated with Apollo (civilization, reason, and daylight) and Body is associated with Dionysius (frenzy, passion, and night)

Hegel

Tragedy is generated with the heroic individual is trapped between

Theodicy

Asks the question, "Why is there evil in the world if God is benevolent and all knowing, why do bad things happen to good people?"

Proem

Opening lines of an epic. Gives context and framework of the play and lays out the scene

Furor

In Aneid, Juno is a negative embodiment of this as she acts rash and with rage. Dido is a positive embodiment of this as she speaks from a place of passion

in media res

in the middle of things

Nostos

Story of homecoming. Agamamnon

Agamemnon (Aeschylus)

King of Argos, husband of Clymenestra, and the commander of the Greek armies during the siege of Troy. Brother of Menelaus, whose wife Helen was stolen by a Trojan prince, thus igniting a decade

Clytemnestra

Protagonist in Aeschylus' Agamemnon. Rules Argos in Agamemnon's absence. Plans to murder Agamemnon upon his return for sacrificing their daughter. feels no remorse after death of Agamemnon. Even so, Aeschylus makes it clear that his death must be avenged

Chorus in Aeschylus' Agamemnon

Elder citizens of Argos who serve as advisers to Clytemnestra during the Trojan war and provide commentary on the action of the play. their speeches provide background info, foreshadow the King's death, and discuss the dangers of human pride.

Cassandra

Agamemnon's slave and mistress. able to see the Past, present and future bloodshed of the house Atreus, and sees the ancestral curse affecting Agamemnons family, but nobody believes her.

Aegisthus

Agamrmnon's cousin, and Clytemnestra's lover. He and Agamemnon's father were rivals of the throne. Been waiting in exile to seek revenge against Agamemnon

The watchman

Man assigned to watch for the signal of Troy's fall from the roof of the palace. He is joyful at his King's return, but also gripped with a sense of foreboding.
Ex. Beginning of Agamemnon by Aeschylus when watchman foreshadows darkness to come

The herald.

Brings the chorus news of Agamemnon's safe homecoming. An ardent patriot, he is ecstatic to see the home he thought he had left forever and provides vivid descriptions of the horrors of the war against troy.

Iphigenia

Daughter of Agamemnon, killed because of her virginity to appease Artemis (God of Hunt and Maiden and Childbirth) on the way to Troy.

Aeschylus Agamemnon
The watchman has been waiting for a year to like the beacon fire to be lit signalling Troy's defeat. Both happy about his rulers return and scared of what's to come. Uses light and dark as symbols of his happiness and the foreboding he believes is necessary.

"Dear Gods, set me free from all the pain, the long watch i keep, one whole year awake... propped on my arms, crouched on the roofs of Atreus like a dog. I know the stars by heart, the armies of the night, and there in the lead there in the snow or the crops of summer, bring us all we have..."

Aechyleus Agamemnon
Chorus
We gain wisdom only through suffering.***

"Zeus had led us on to know, the Helmsman lays its down as law that we must suffer , suffer into truth. We cannot sleep, and drop by drop at the heart the pain of pain remembered comes again, and we resist, but ripeness comes as well. From the gods enthroned on an awesome rowing bench there comes a violent love."

Aechyleus Agamemnon
Clytaemnestra
Self

Justification about what she did to Agamemnon. Rumors of his death, on the verge of suicide. ***

Virgil the Aeneid
Narrator
Juno's Painting described (ecphrasis) Aeneas is getting a new sense of hope in celebrating Trojan death and glory in battle. Crazy interpretation because Juno hates The trojans. ***

"He could not turn his gaze away... the sight afforded food the spirit's need... he saw the Greeks... and the Trojans... with many a death, and the fiery horses driven into the camp... another scene showed Trovilis, poor youngster... and there were Trojan women, all in mourning what a groan came from Aeneas' heart."

Virgil the Aeneid
Juno
Bitter and angry of not having power. Private wrath and vengeance toward the Trojans ***

"Raged to herself: 'I am beaten, I suppose; it seems I cannot keep this Trojan King from Italy. The fates no doubt forbid me... the crazy acts of Ajax... shattered their ships all over the sea... blasted his heart with fire."

Medea by Eurpides
Medea
Double standard of women having to stay behind while the men leave and have affairs and are treated like heroes. the comment isn't very maternal, so its a red flag for what she's about to do with her children. Women v. Men in society ***

"Surely, of all creatures... we women are the most wretched... we must accept him as professor of our body... for women, divorce is not respectable; to repel the man...still more, a foreign woman... needs the skill of magic... how to treat the man... we are successful... our life is enviable. Otherwise, death is better. If a man grows tired... he can go out. we wives are forced to look to one man only... I'd rather stand three times on the front line than bear one child."

Aeschylus Agamemnon
chorus
Divine justice will seek you out and punish you. You will pay the price, obey the Gods. It may move slowly (Generations) but it is relentless. ***

"God does as god decrees. And still some say that heaven would never stop to punish men who trample the lvoely grace of things untouchable. How wrong the are! A curse burns bright on crime

Medea by Eurpides
Medea
Rethinking everything as she talks to her children. Thinking about how it will affect her kids, but mostly how it will affect her. ***

"O Children, children! You have a city, and a home... You motherless I shall never see you bridges... my misery is my own heart... all was for nothing... When you were born. Oh. yes, I once built many hopes on you... How many people would envy me my sons! That sweet, sad thought has faded now. Parted from you, my life will be all pain and anguish. You will not look any more with those dear eyes."

Aeschylus Agamemnon
Chorus
Idea of suffering is linked to learning. Light is an image of truth, it becomes inescapable. ***

"But justice turns the balance scales, sees that we suffer and we suffer and we learn. And we will know the future when it comes. Greet it too early, weep too soon. It all covers clear in the light of day. Let all go well today, well as she could want, our midnight watch, our love defender, single

Agamemnon by Aeschylus
Agamemnon
About the destruction of Troy. Worn out, tired man who is defected by war. ***

"First, with justice I salute my Argos and my gods, my accomplices who brought me home and won my rights from Priam's Troy

Medea By Euripides
Nurse
Setting scene and tone for tragedy

"If only I had never gone! If the Argo's hull Never winged out through the grey

Medea By Euripides
Nurse
Best way to live is to be common. Otherwise there is too much death and drama. Not worth the wealth.

" To have learnt to live on the common level is better. No grand life for me, Just peace and quiet as i grow old. The middle way, neither great nor mean, is best by far, in name and practice. To be rich and powerful brings no blessing; Only more utterly
Is the prosperous house destroyed, when the gods are angry.

Chorus (Agamemnon by Aeschylus)
Death is a reoccurring thing. Imagery about death and destruction. Talks about evil and violence. Divine retribution.

There's an ancient saying, old as man himself: men's prosperity never will die childless, once full

Cassandra (Agamemnon by Aeschylus)
She is understanding her fate given by Apollo. She knows she has to die.

Then off with the veils that hid the fresh young bride—we will see the truth. Flare up once more, my oracle! Clear and sharp as the wind that blows toward the rising sun, I can feel a deeper swell now, gathering head to break at last and bring the dawn of grief. No more riddles. I will teach you. Come, bear witness, run and hunt with me. We trail the old barbaric works of slaughter. These roofs—look up—there is a dancing troupe that never leaves. And they have their harmony but it is harsh, their words are harsh, they drink beyond the limit. Flushed on the blood of men their spirit grows and none can turn away their revel breeding in the veins—the furies! They cling to the house of life...

Medea by Euripides
Medea
Exemplifies her manipulation well. Gets Creon to believe that she is not a threat to him or anyone.

"So you, Creon, are afraid of what? Some harm that I might do to you? Don't let me alarm you, Creon. I'm in no position

Medea by Euripides
Central Agon between Jason and Medea
Speech of self

Justification

Medea by Euripides
Medea
Mentions that she would rather kill her children than have her enemies laugh at her. She values her reputation over her happiness, or the lives of her children.

"However, enough of that. What makes me cry with pain is the next thing I have to do. I will kill my sons. No one shall take my children away from me. When I have made Jason's whole house in shambles, I will leave Corinth a murderess, flying from my darling children's blood. Yes, I can endure guilt, however horrible; the laughter of my enemies I will not endure."

Medea by Euripides
Medea
Mourning the loss of her children before she kills them. Shows a humanistic remorseful quality making everything she is doing even worse.

"O children, children! You have a city and a home; and when we have parted, there you both will stay forever, you motherless, I miserable. And I must go to exile in another land before I have had my joy of you, before I have seen you growing up, becoming prosperous. I shall never see you brides, adorn you bridal beds, and hold the torches high..."

Medea by Euripides
Medea
Having change of heart about murdering her children.... good but she still goes through with it so she cannot feel too bad about it.

" Oh, what am I to do? Women, my courage is all gone. Their young bright faces

Clytemnestra (Agamemnon by Aeschylus)
She doesn't want to be judged especially after her husband sacrificed their own daughter to gain favorable wind.
Self

justification

Clytemnestra (Agamemnon by Aeschylus)
She believes that she purged and cleanses the House of Atreus. She doesn't think about Orestes.

At last you see the future and the truth! But I will swear a pact with the spirit born within us. I embrace his works, cruel as they are but done at last, if he will leave our house in the future, bleed another line with kinsmen murdering kinsmen. Whatever he may ask. A few things are all I need, once I have purged our fury to destroy each other—purged it from our halls.

Aegisthus (Agamemnon by Aeschylus)
Sees himself as being in the right. He caught Agamemnon. Confident and prideful, both of them.

So you see him, down. And I, the weaver of Justice, plotted out the kill. Atreus drove us into exile, my struggling father and I, and babe

Oedipus (Oedipus the King by Sophocles)
Curiosity starts here, the drive for truth. He calls his subjects "children." Condescending, arrogance, and pride.

Why children, why are you here, why are you holding these branches tied with wool, begging me for help? Children, the whole city smolders with incense. Wherever I go I hear sobbing, praying. Groans fill the air. Rumors, news from messengers, they are not enough for me. Others cannot tell me what you need. I am king, I had to come. As king, I had to know. Know for myself, know for me.

Oedipus (Oedipus the King by Sophocles)
Condemning his own fate. He has no idea that it was him who killed the King of Thebes who also happened to be his father.

Nothing. My word for him is nothing. Let him be nothing. Give him nothing. Let him touch nothing of yours, he is nothing to you. Lock your doors when he approaches. Say nothing to him, do not speak. No prayers with him, no offerings with him. No purifying water. Nothing. Drive him from your homes. Let him have no home, nothing. No words, no food, shelter, warmth of hand, shared worship. Let him have nothing. Drive him

Kreon (Oedipus the King by Sophocles)
Kreon gets the good side of power while Oedipus gets the bad side of power. Kreon doesn't have to worry with envy. He gets all the benefits of being near power but not main ruling. Kreon rather be 2nd in command. Acts very rational and c

No, Oedipus. Consider it rationally, as I have. Reflect: . . . Power? I have no instinct for power, no hunger for it either. It isn't royal power I want, but its advantages. . . Whatever I want, I get from you, with your goodwill and blessing. I have nothing to fear. . . I would be a fool to want more than what I have. . . A man like me, who knows his mortal limits and accepts them, cannot be vicious or treacherous by nature. The love of power is not my nature, nor is treason or the thoughts of treason that go with love of power. I would never dear conspire against your life. . .

Jocasta (Oedipus the King by Sophocles)
She believes she escaped the prophecy. She has no idea what she is saying.

Why should men be afraid of anything? Fortune rules our lives. Luck is everything. Things happen. The future is darkness. No human mind can know it. It's best to live in the moment, live for today, Oedipus. Why should the thought of marrying your mother make you so afraid? Many men have slept with their mothers in their dreams. Why worry? See your dreams for what they are—nothing, nothing at all. Be happy, Oedipus.

Oedipus (Oedipus the King by Sophocles)
Filled with self

loathing. He repeatedly says, "Nothing." The depth of nothingness, the will to die. He wants to be nothing. To de

Chorus (Oedipus the King by Sophocles)
Definition of happiness form the Chorus is, "I did not suffer." Once happiest man alive and now miserable man alive.

O citizens of Thebes, this Oedipus, who solved the famous riddle, who held more power than any mortal. See what he is: all men gazed on his fortune life, all men envied him, but look at him, look. All he had, all this man was, pulled down and swallowed by the storm of his own life, and by the god. Keep your eyes on that last day, on your dying. Happiness and peace, they were not yours unless at death you can look back on your life and say I lived, I did not suffer.

Ismene (Antigone by Sophocles)
Trying to keep her sister alive. She's trying to be logical. Her obedience is difficult. She doesn't want to disobey the law. More middle

ground stance. Thinking with her head.

Antigone (Antigone by Sophocles)
She wants glory out of this. Honorable to the gods, thinking with her heart while her sister thinks with her head.

I'd never welcome you in the labor, not with me. So, do as you like, whatever suits you best

Creon (Antigone by Sophocles)
Trying to establish himself as king. He is trying to say "I am not a tyrant." You don't know me until I exercise power. Opposite of Antigone, he values friendships based on loyalty.

The ship of state is safe. . . I have called you here. . . for the throne of royal power of King Laius. . . I am next in kin to the dead, I now possess the throne and all its power. Of course you cannot know a man completely, his character, his principles, sense of judgement, not till he's shown his colors, ruling the people, making laws. Experience, there's the test. . . And whoever places a friend above the good of his own country, he is nothing: I have no use for him. . . Remember this: our country is our safety. Only while she voyages true on course can we establish friendships, truer than blood itself.

Antigone (Antigone by Sophocles)

Says what she believes. Her laws are not written but they have been here longer than man

made laws. She looks forward to death. She called her King a fool. No compromise after this.

Creon (Antigone by Sophocles)

He is telling her that the hardest iron can be broken aka her attitude. He is saying that he can break her but her will stands firm. It is Creon's will that will be broken.

No? Believe me, the stiffest stubborn wills fall the hardest; the toughest iron, tempered strong in the white

Creon (Antigone by Sophocles)

State and family mirror one another. He values discipline and obedience. Love is not found. He goes freaking crazy at the end. He is sexest.

That's what a man prays for: to produce good sons. . . But the man who rears a brood of useless children, what has he brought into the world, nothing but trouble for himself. . . Oh Haeman, never lose your sense of judgement over a woman. . . But whoever steps out of line, violates the laws or presumes to hand out orders to his superiors, he'll win no praise from me. . . Anarchy! She, she destroys cities, rips us houses, breaks the ranks of spearmen into headlong rout. . Therefore we must defend the men who live by law. Better to fall from power, if fall we must, at the hands of a man

Haeman (Antigone by Sophocles)

He knows what buttons to push, he can butter up his dad.

I rejoice in your success father

The aeneid by virgil
Aeneas
Questioning why he couldn't have died a death with his comrades instead of this journey he faces. Recognizes other peoples sacrifices and doesn't seem too concerned with the glory of a death on the battle field. unlike Odysseus when he makes a similar speech.

"Oh happy men, thrice happy, four times happy, who had the luck to die with their fathers watching below the walls of troy! Ah diomedes, bravest of all greeks, why could i not have fallen, bleeding my life away on the plains of ilium. in our encounter there, where mighty hector went down before achilles' spear..."