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lit 3-04

Key Concepts in Greek Tragedy and Theater

Turning Points in History

  • Turning points often overlap with significant historical events (e.g., Roman Republic to Empire).

  • Importance of BCE (Before Common Era) and CE (Common Era) in dating historical events.

Genre of Tragedy

  • Tragedy is a specific literary genre explored through plays and storytelling.

  • Audience familiarity with the storyline (like knowing the fate of historical figures) enhances the experience.

Dionysus and Greek Theater

  • Dionysus: God of wine, hedonism, and loosening boundaries of reality.

  • Festivals for Dionysus included theater performances, emphasizing communal participation.

  • The theater served as a space for the audience to explore shared human experiences and emotions.

Characteristics of Tragedy

  • Tragic Heroes: Typically of higher status, whose flaws lead to their downfall (e.g., Hamlet, Othello).

  • Catharsis: Emotional release experienced by the audience through pity and fear, leading to an understanding of the human condition.

  • Dramatic Irony: Audience knows more than the characters, creating tension and engagement.

Classical vs. Modern Tragedy

  • Classical tragedies adhere to specific unities of time, place, and plot; events happen in a tight timeframe and focus on a singular conflict.

  • Modern interpretations may vary, but core elements of tragedy remain pertinent.

Comparison with Comedy

  • Comedy typically resolves conflict and resets characters' circumstances, often providing a contrast to the more somber themes of tragedy.

  • Tragic characters’ flaws drive the narrative, arguing that their downfall is not solely their fault but often influenced by external factors.

Plot Structure of Antigone

  • Central conflict: Antigone's moral obligation to bury her brother vs. Creon's decree against it.

  • Themes of family loyalty versus civic duty and the consequences of defiance.

Greek Chorus

  • The chorus represents the societal voice, offering commentary and context to the unfolding events.

  • Varies in composition depending on the play, often drawing from mythology and social norms.