Oedipus Rex: Key Vocabulary, Themes, and Greek Theatre

Foreshadowing

Hinting at future events

Dramatic Irony

Audience knows what characters don't

Climax

Peak turning point of story

Catastrophe

Final downfall/disaster

Tragic Hero

Noble character with fatal flaw

Tragic Flaw (Hamartia)

Weakness leading to downfall

Hubris

Excessive pride/arrogance

Ode

Chorus song between scenes

Chorus

Group narrating, reacting, and setting mood

Catharsis

Emotional cleansing for audience

Orchestra

"Dancing space" where chorus performed

Theatron

Audience seating/viewing area

Skene

Stage building behind actors

Parodos

Pathway for chorus and actor entrances

Myths

Stories teaching lessons about life, fate, and nature

Legends

Based partly on real events

Greek Beliefs/ Views on God

Gods controlled everything ; offerings for protection

Gods controlled fate, they were imperfect and emotional

Mount Olympus

Home of the gods; they acted human-like

Greek Theatre Festivals

Performed to honor Dionysus

Play Contests

3 playwrights competed; ranked by judges

Chorus Size

3-50 men;

Chorus Role

Represents citizens, sets mood, reacts

Choragos

Leader of the chorus

Tragedy

Shows downfall of a noble hero/heroine

Tragic Hero Traits

Noble, flawed, suffers, learns truth

Zeus

God of sky/earth | Symbols: thunderbolt, eagle, oak

Hera

Goddess of women/marriage | Symbol: peacock

Poseidon

God of sea/earthquakes | Symbol: trident, dolphin, horse

Hades

God of underworld | Symbol: helm, Cerberus

Hestia

Goddess of hearth/home | Symbol: eternal flame

Aphrodite

Goddess of love/beauty | Symbol: dove, rose

Demeter

Goddess of nature/fertility | Symbol: wheat, grain

Apollo

God of music/light/prophecy | Symbol: lyre, sun

Artemis

Goddess of hunting/sports | Symbol: bow, arrows

Ares

God of war/violence | Symbol: spear, helmet

Athena

Goddess of wisdom/strategy | Symbol: owl, olive tree

Hermes

Messenger god | Symbol: winged sandals, caduceus

Oedipus Background

Cursed line of Cadmus; prophecy of killing father & marrying mother

Mt. Kithairon

Where Oedipus was abandoned as a baby

King Polybus & Queen Merope

Adoptive parents of Oedipus in Corinth

Sphinx's Riddle

Oedipus solves it → becomes King of Thebes

Plague on Thebes

Result of Oedipus' fate fulfillment

Differrence Between A Legend and a Myth

Myths → Made-up stories teaching lessons about life and nature

Legends → Similar to myths but based on real events

Dionysus

God honored during festivals where plays were performed