Greek Drama = Tragedy

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Greek Drama Tragedy
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Terms to Recall

• ACT long section of a play/drama
• SCENE division of acts at key transitions in
  location or action

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Main Character Types

• PROTAGONIST
• main character
• must face primary conflict
• ANTAGONIST
• one who acts against protagonist
• creates conflict
• not always a villain

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Round vs. Flat

• Round

• Flat

• multi-dimensional
• variable personality

• lacks dimension
• only see one main aspect of personality

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Dynamic v. Static

• Dynamic

• Changes throughout the course of the narration
• Shows significant effects of conflicts

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• Static
• Does not significantly change during the
  narration
• Seems to not be affected much by the conflicts

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Foils

• highlight each others differences
• not necessarily enemies
• a love/hate or cant live with you/cant live
  without you kind of relationship
• basis of partnerships in literature/film
• Sherlock and Watson bickering

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Greek Amphitheater Layout
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GREEK DRAMA TERMS

• Chorus group sings/chants during the performance
  to represent the feelings of the general public
• Choragos chorus leader

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• GREEK DRAMA TERMS
• Parados chorus comes on stage to signal the
  start
• Exodus chorus signals the conclusion and moves
  off stage

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• Strophe chorus moves right-to-left and
  summarizes the main action of the scene
• Antistrophe chorus immediately moves opposite
  direction and leads into next scene

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Literary Terms

• Ode chorus pays tribute to idea or person
  express deep thoughts
• Paean chorus invokes the intervention of the
  gods to help

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Tragic Flaw

• Personality trait that causes the protagonist to
  make a poor decision, usually with a fatal
  consequence

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Hubris

• excessive pride
• often the tragic flaw in Greek tragedies

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Catharsis

• The release of emotional tension following the
  acceptance of a traumatic event
• Usually brought on by art, music, a ceremony
  (funeral), etc.

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So, do you remember that story about Oedipus?
The family photo album will never be the same.
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Key Details

• Curse on Thebes royal baby ? taken to die in
  wilderness ? adopted by shepherd ? as adult,
  challenges Sphinx ? saves Thebes ? kills man who
  insulted him along journey (dad/king) ? Thebes
  views a hero ? marries widowed Queen (mom) ? 4
  children (Antigone, Ismene, Eteocles, Polyneices)
  ? Oedipus learns true identity from Tieresias
  (prophet) ? exiles himself ? Creon takes over ?
  Polyneices fights against Thebes ? not buried
  properly (traitor) ? the play ANTIGONE begins.