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Background to Greek Drama Tragedy • Comes from the Greek word tragoidia, based on tragos, “goat,” and “aeidein, “to sing.” • Literally-- “goat song” • At all dramatic festivals, the prize for the best chorus was a goat. Out of Ritual • Drama grew out of religious rituals honoring Dionysos, the god of wine and fertility. • According to myth, Dionysos suffered, died, and was resurrected. • Early tragedies imitate this cycle of despair followed by the ecstasy of enlightenment. • One actor took several roles and conversed with the chorus between performances. • Taught a moral lesson. Thespis • The celebrations developed into an annual festival held in Athens. • Worshipers began competing for prizes. *Thespis transformed these hymns into songs that still honored Dionysos, but also told the story of a famous hero. * Thespis further changed the format format by having one chorus memmber member step away from the others to play the part of a hero or a god. Sophocles • Born in Athens in 497 B.C., Sophocles was the most well-known of Greek dramatists. • Known for deeper development of characters in his plays. • Sophocles used his plays to highlight political and social injustices. • Most famous works—Theban plays, or The Oedipus Cycle. Social and Political Climate of Athens, 5th century B.C. • Athenian government was an exclusive democracy. • Participation limited—women, slaves, and other “non-citizens” were excluded. • Young women were considered wild and unpredictable in Athenian society. • Men would not have sympathized with a female character who defied authority. • The ancient Greeks were polytheistic. • Strong belief in Fate as a divine force. • Used oracles, omens, dreams, and soothsayers to understand the will of the gods. • Important religious duty— burial of dead relatives. • Unburied soul could not cross river Styx into Hades. Stage Conventions of Greek Theater • All male actors • Use of “three unities” : • Unity of time—all action took place within 24 hours • Unity of place—action limited to one setting • Unity of subject—focus on one main character (no sub-plots) Stage Conventions of Greek Theater • Use of chorus: • Fifteen to twenty men who represented citizens • Always on stage • Danced and sang • Leader of chorus, Choragos, carried on dialogue with the main characters or rest of chorus. The Oedipus Myth • King Laios and Queen Jocasta of Thebes learn from an oracle that their baby son would eventually kill his father and marry his mother. • Give their baby to a shepherd with orders to leave the infant to die. • Shepherd pities the child. • Instead of abandoning the child, he gives him to the childless king and queen of Corinth. The Oedipus Myth • As a young man, Oedipus learns of the prophecy. • He runs away from Corinth in order to prevent the death of his supposed father. • Arrogant old man tries to run him over with a chariot. • Because honor was at stake, the two men fought, and Oedipus killed the stranger. The Oedipus Myth • At the outskirts of Thebes, Oedipus encounters the Sphinx. • The Sphinx had been menacing Thebes by ambushing travelers and challenging them to a riddle. • If they could answer correctly, they could proceed. Fail, and the Sphinx devoured them. The Riddle • What creature goes on four legs in the morning, two legs in the afternoon, and three legs in the evening? The Oedipus Myth • Oedipus answers correctly, and enters Thebes as a hero. • Laios, their king, had recently been killed. • The people offer the throne and their widowed queen, Jocasta, to Oedipus. • They marry and have four children: Polyneices, Eteocles, Antigone, and Ismene. The Oedipus Myth • A plague strikes Thebes. • An oracle warns that the plague won’t end until the murderer of King Laios is found. • Oedipus swears that he will find the killer. • The blind prophet Teiresias tells Oedipus the truth. The Oedipus Myth • After learning the truth, Jocasta kills herself. • Oedipus gouges out his eyes. • Oedipus’ sons, Eteocles and Polyneices fight over the vacant throne and kill each other. • Antigone begins.