Milton High School-World Literature



CHARACTERISTICS OF GREEK TRAGEDY Aristotle’s Definition: the imitation of some tragic, realistic action that will arouse pity and fear in the viewer and so purge him of an accumulation of conflicting emotions. This purging of emotions is termed catharsis. (For audience!!) Dramatic Unities Time – one singular time frame – no “next day” or “that evening” Place – one setting only, usually in front of palace Action – stage is “calm” – mostly continuous discussion Function of the Chorus – spoke ODES in unison1. Who are they = town elders (men of importance)2. Relate the themes and foreshadow3. Comment on the action and give advice4. Give background information5. Provide poetic beauty through the lines they say in unison6. Help create mood7. Help relieve tension(All actors were men)MasksUse – Depicted the actor’s emotion – were large to be seen at a distance in the mon construction – Wooden frames covered in cloth and dyed with such natural dyes as grape juice. Pattern of a TragedyA tragedy involves a disaster when the tragic hero experiences a tragic downfall; he (or she) falls from a position of importance. The protagonist or the tragic hero struggles against his fate and questions himself and humanity. The tragic hero finally achieves anagnorisis or self recognition (finally sees the truth about himself). At this point the tragic hero experiences his destruction and the audience experiences catharsis. Characters in Greek TragedyTragic hero – a good person who is always of an elevated status or importance like a ruler or general.Antagonist – person, god, or force that is against the tragic hero.Messenger – person who reports what occurs offstage. Often bore the brunt of delivering bad news – hence, “Don’t kill the messenger” Themes and Motifs in Greek TragedyMan vs. the gods Gods were powerful but often whimsical and unpredictable.Destiny vs. Free Will – one’s fate and how to deal with it.Responsibility and Freedom (role of the ruler) His need to fulfill his role to his country, people, self and the gods.Hubris (excessive pride) – see definition on next pageHumans are born to sufferSight, Vision, and Truth – those who have eyes often do not “see” and the reverse (Tiresias).Vows and Curses – Apollo’s curse on Cadmus which came to fruition in Oedipus’ life.Loss of Rationality- Not thinking well or letting emotions take chargeMain Elements or Divisions of Tragedy – the repeated pattern1. Prologue – 1 or 2 characters who give background and open the play2. Parodus – entrance of the chorus where they chant what is to come or respond to opening of the play.3. Episode – “scene” or each section of plot development4. Stasimon – the commenting by the chorus after each episode; here the audience gets to know what they think about what has happened.5. Exodus – short final action (it DOES NOT mean anyone leaves the stage or acting area).Greek Drama Terms ( Memorize!)1. Hamartia the FLAW or personal quality of the tragic hero that causes his downfall. Common flaws are hubris, greed and ambition.2. Peripeteia – the reversal of action that is the opposite of what is expected by the characters (the downfall). 3. Anagnorisis – the recognition by the tragic hero of his self truth and/or his flaw. 4. Hubris – excessive pride which leads to the desire to control others 5. Catharsis – the cleansing of the audience’s emotions when they experience the tragic hero’s dilemma and as a result feel pity and fear. They learn the same lesson as the hero but are not destroyed by it. 6. Dramatic Irony – words or actions of a character that carry meaning, but the audience knows and understands much more. An example: when Oedipus said he never saw Laius when in actuality WE know he not only saw him but also killed him. 7. Deus ex Machina – a mechanical device that lowered or raised characters from the stage – often used to save them in the nick of time. See drawing of stage on last page.Greek NamesPhoebus Apollo – god of light and truth (god of Delphi); often referred to as just Phoebus or just Apollo.Delphi – home of Apollo’s oracle Oracle – place (temple) OR the prophesy (the truth that is told). You can tell which is meant by its use in the sentence. ................
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