L3 | Greek Drama

Oedipus Rex

is an athenian tragic play written

around 429 BCE by Sophocles, one of the

most well-known Greek playwrights.

Oedipus

one of the most memorable

heroes in Greek drama.

of family conflict and

personal suffering, which are explored for

their moral and philisophical significance.

The story Oedipus Rex includes the themes

Greek drama

Just like reading a story, watching a play creates

a certain level of anticipation as the dialogue

between characters move toward the climax.

The difference lies in how the action is

actualized.

Play

a form of drama, an art form primarily

meant to be performed. It comes alive through

actors on a stage, which allows audience to

directly witness the unfolding action and

dialogue as they build toward a climax.

Aristotle

Drama is the imitation of action;

what it attempts to imitate is the

reality of life. Greek drama takes a

"slice of life" and places it within a

specific setting to allow audiences

to explore the causes and effecs of

human choices and fate.

Plot (Mythos)

This refers to the sequence of events, or what happens,

in a play. It forms the backbone of the drama, guiding

the audience through the unfolding story.

It begins with

exposition leading to conflict that drives the narrative

forward. And as the action continues to build, it reaches

the climax then resolution.

4 things in a plot

Playwrights

employ literary device like dramatic irony,

which occurs when the audience know something that

a character on stage does not.

Theme (dianoia)

What is the point of the playwright here?

What is the playwright saying about life or people in

general?

What lesson is learned here?

catharsis

In ancient Greek tragedy, grasping these profound

theme often culminates in _____ which means the

purging or purification of emotions, especially pity and

fear.

Characters (ethos)

These refer to people, animals, or ideas portrayed by

actors in a play. They give life to the action and help

move the plot forward.

dynamic

They may change

static

They may remain the same

tragic hero

A central character in a tragedy who, at the beginning,

typically enjoys high status, power, and great renown

nobility.

hamartia.

However, this hero is doomed to downfall due to a

personal flaw or defect in character known as ______

Chorus

A group of performers who may serve one or more of the

following roles:

Narrator

providing context and background information.

Commentator

reflecting on the moral or emotional meaning of

events

Conscience

representing the reactions of the citizens, elders, or

the general public

Mediator

sometimes interacting with characters by advising or

questioning them and mediating conflicts or responding emotionally

to decisions made by the tragic hero

mediator

sometimes interacting with characters by advising or

questioning them and mediating conflicts or responding emotionally

to decisions made by the tragic hero

Dialogue

should not only be clear but also

rhythmically structured and emotionally

resonant to boost the thematic weight and

dramatic intesity of the work.

Music or rhythm (melos)

This refers to both the literal use of music and

the inherent musicality of the actor's spoken

words.

Choral odes

are sung or chanted by the chorus

in Greek tragedies are lyrical songs that

provide insight into the play's themes and

tragic elements.

spectacle (opsis)

This refers to the optics or visual

element of a play, such as sets,

costumes, special effects, and

props. It includes everything that

the audience sees as they watch

the play.