(27) Lesson 3a: Oedipus Rex

Fate

The belief that the course of a person’s life or the outcome of events is predetermined and outside their control.

Free will

The belief that individuals have the ability to make independent choices and act on them, shaping their own outcomes rather than being controlled by external forces.

Theatre in ancient Greece

A significant cultural and religious tradition in ancient Greece reflecting societal values and beliefs, and closely linked to the worship of Dionysus—the god of many things, including festivity and theatre—where annual spring celebrations featured plays in outdoor theatres using masks and competitions to depict the lives of Greek gods.

The 5 Layout Features of Ancient Greek Theatres

Skene, Proskenion, Paradoi (Parados), Orchestra, and Theatron—creating a distinctive layout of an open-air structure that was usually built into a hillside, and allowed for clear sightlines, excellent acoustics, and communal viewing.

Skene

A structure in ancient Greek theatre originally simply a tent or curtained area used for costume changes, later developed into a permanent structure, doubling as a backdrop that was often decorated with painted scenery.

Proskenion

A raised platform located in front of the skene in ancient Greek theatres that served as the main acting area.

Paradoi (sing. Parodos)

The monumental passageways and gateways located on each side of the auditorium, often in a pair, during an ancient Greek play that are used by actors and the chorus to enter and exit the stage, adding grandeur and architectural beauty.

Orchestra

The flat—typically circular—area in an ancient Greek theatre, where the chorus sang, danced, and interacted with the actors.

Theatron

The semi-circular seating area in ancient Greece, often built into a hillside, that was designed to provide clear viewing and strong acoustics for the audience.

The Script of an Ancient Greek Tragedy

The written structure of a Greek tragedy, divided into five main sections: Prologue, Parados, Episode(s), Stasimon (plu. Stasima), Exodus. Episodes and stasima were often repeated multiple times, depending on the plot’s needs prior to the exodus.

Prologue

The opening section of a Greek tragedy, often presented as a monologue or dialogue. that introduces the background information, characters, themes, setting, context, and tone. It helps allow the audience to grasp the significance of the events that will follow.

Parodos

The section of a Greek tragedy in which the chorus enters while chanting and dancing, often providing commentary or emotional reflection on the events of the play by reflecting the collective voice of society—enhancing the dramatic atmosphere while engaging the audience emotionally.

Episode(s)

A section of a play in which a dramatic event/main action occurs through dialogue delivery, character interaction, and plot developments. A play may contain multiple as needed.

Stasimon (plu. Stasima)

A choral ode performed between episodes in which the chorus reflects on the preceding episode’s events, themes, and moral ideas through song and poetry.

Exodus

The final section of a Greek tragedy in which the concluding events unfold, the moral of the story is often discussed, and the chorus delivers a final commentary that encapsulates the themes and lessons learned throughout the play. It provides closure to the narrative and opens up space for the audience to reflect.

Ancient Greek Tragic Hero

Typically, the central character in a Greek tragedy, traditionally defined by Aristotle, is a male of high social status who possesses admirable qualities. They gain the audience’s sympathy and experience downfall strongly influenced by fate, the gods, and personal flaws, leading to suffering and self-realization. The definition has since evolved to include characters of various backgrounds and qualities.

The Chorus

A group of masked performers in a Greek tragedy who comment on the events of the play through speech, song, and dance, often representing the collective voice of society and enhancing the emotional depth of the performance.

The Troupe

A group of actors or performers who work together in a theatrical production. In the context of Greek tragedy, it typically consisted of a small number of male actors who portrayed various characters, often using masks and costumes to differentiate roles.

Audience

The group of people who watch a theatrical performance.

Exposition

The part of a story that provides background information about the setting, characters, and situation needed to understand the plot.

The Inciting Incident

A pivotal event or decision that disrupts the normal situation of a story, often introducing the central conflict, and sets the plot in motion.

Peripeteia

A sudden reversal of fortune or change in circumstances in a story. In a Greek tragedy, it is often a negative reversal (a shift from good to bad). It often goes very wrong and surprises the audience and highlights the consequences of the character's previous actions or decisions.

Hamartia (hah-mahr-tee-uh)

An inherent tragic flaw or error in judgment that causes a protagonist’s downfall in a Greek tragedy. It causes the peripeteia, which ultimately leads to the protagonist’s downfall, often including fatality. This element was used to make the protagonist relatable to the audience as it reflects human imperfection, and as Aristotle believed, to impart wisdom into the audience by prompting them to reflect on their own choices and the consequences of their actions to avoid such ruin.

Hubris

Excessive pride or arrogance. In Greek tragedies, it is often the hamartia, which illustrates the dangers of overestimating one's abilities.

Anagnorisis

A moment of important realization in which a character discovers the truth about themselves, others, or their situation. It was crucial for Greek tragedies, and often marked a transformation in understanding, shifting from ignorance to knowledge.

Catastrophe

The final disastrous outcome of a Greek tragedy in which the conflict ends in suffering, destruction, or death—serving as the culmination of the narrative’s tension and conflict. To the audience, it often appears inevitable as the concluding phase of the downward spiral.

Catharsis

The process of purging and releasing strong or pent-up emotions, or cleansing through art. The term, coined by Aristotle, illustrates the emotional release experienced by the audience after watching a tragic play.