Greek Tragedy

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Greek Tragedy

• Oedipus Rex
• By
• Sophocles

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• Tragedies do
• not end well

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According to Aristotle

• a hero should have a character between these
  two extremesthat of a man or a woman who is
  not preeminently good and just, yet whose
  misfortune
• is brought about not by
• vice or depravity,
• but by some error in
• judgment or frailty

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• Hamartiatragic flaw that usually takes
• the form of hubris, which is excessive pride
• or arrogance

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Plot of tragedy according to Aristotle.

• Hero goes through reversals of fortune
• Suffers and this suffering leads to
• Final recognition of truth that has been
  previously hidden (Duh moment)

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At the end of the tragedy

• The audience experiences catharsis, or
• purgation, which is the feeling
• that occurs when members
• of an audience witness
• deep suffering of a tragic
• hero and their emotions of
• pity and fear lead them to a
• new sense of self-awareness
• and renewal

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Greek Theater Terms

• Dialogueconversation between two or more
  characters
• Orchestrasemi-circular space in front of the
  stage used by the chorus
• Choragosleader of the chorus
• Choruscompany of performers whose singing,
  dancing, and narration provides explanation and
  elaboration on the main action

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• Prologueopening scene
• Paradosentrance song of the chorus
• Strophesong sung by the chorus as it turns from
  one side of the orchestra to the other
• Antistrophesong sung while the chorus moves in
  the direction opposite from that of the strophe
• Odesong chanted by the chorus that separates one
  scene from the next
• Exodosconcluding scene

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Parts of a Greek Theater

• Parados---area of procession as chorus moves in
  and out
• Skene(scene)subdivision of a play presenting
  continuous action in one place for a period of
  time
• Theatron(theater)area where audience enjoys the
  performance

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The Greek Actor

• Citizens were expected to participate in the
  chorus
• Only men allowed to act
• Women, if
• allowed to attend
• a performance, sat
• in the nose-bleed
• seats

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Greek Actors

• Hero had huge costume which added size and
  distinction to his role
• Chitonlong, flowing robe, dyed in symbolic
  colors with a great deal of padding underneath to
  give a broader, more life-life appearance.
• Cothurnihigh platform shoes to add height

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This costume.

• Limited mobility which resulted in stock gestures
  or movements
• Head down for despair
• Fists raised for fury
• Properties(Props) to be used

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GREEK MASK OR PERSONA

• Helped to identify the specific character
• Related to everyman
• Served as
• Megaphone
• Symbol to distinguish role
• Identified age, sex, mood, and rank