Daily Notes for
Learning Targets:
Understand how historical context influences author's purpose. Analyze and criticize Sophocles' writing style. |
Background
Sophocles c. 496-406 B.C.
Main Playwright at the age of 28. He won several competitions. He was raised in a wealthy family. Sophocles wrote 123 plays, but only 7 exist today. Those plays reflected some aspect of his life. Many of his plays were troublesome because of the Pelopannesian War. His characters are caught up in unsolvable dilemmas which test their faith in divine and human justice. Tragedy- a serious drama featuring a noble, dignified main character--often a member of royalty--who strives to achieve something and is ultimately defeated. Tragic flaw- the main character's flaw or weakness which brings the main character to his or her downfall. All the characters were played by men in Greek theater. The story of Oedipus would have been familiar to the Greeks. It's a story about a man who grows up to murder his father and marry his mother without realizing his actions. Oedipus means "swollen foot." The themes in Oedipus are: 1. The quest for identity 2. The nature of innocence and guilt 3. The nature of moral responsibility 4. Human will versus fate. 5. The abuse of power. The parts of a traditional Greek play are: 1. Prologue (opening scene) 2. Parodos (the first of the Chorus's songs) 3. Dialogue and choral odes (the plot of the play) 4. Exodos (concluding scene) |
Learning Targets:
Summarize the plot of Oedipus. Explain literary devices authors use to convey their story. Understand how historical context influences author's purpose. Analyze and criticize Sophocles' writing style. |
PrologueDramatic Irony-When the readers/audience knows what is
happening, but the characters do not. For example, we know that Oedipus killed his father and married his mother, but they do not. Deus ex machina-In Greek, it means "machinery of the gods." They believed that the gods completely controlled their fate, and everything bad and good was a result of what the gods wanted to happen. Oedipus wants to know why his subjects are asking for help. They are asking Oedipus to save Thebes from the plague. Since he helped them with the Sphinx, they think he can help again. In the meantime, they are suffering and dying. Oedipus has already sent Creon to find a solution to the plague. He's gone to the Oracle to find an answer. Just then, Creon shows up to tell Oedipus that the Oracle commands they find the person who murdered Laius (their previous king), and throw him out of Thebes forever. Oedipus sets out to find the guilty person, and discovers that Laius was murdered by a band of highwaymen. Oedipus swears to find the guilty person, and either banish him or execute him. |
Reflection: Oedipus seems to be a good king; he's sworn to avenge Laius's death, is transparent with his subjects, and already helped Thebes with the sphinx. Creon, on the other hand, seems to be a little uncaring for Thebes.
Learning Targets:
Summarize the plot of Oedipus. Explain literary devices authors use to convey their story. Understand how historical context influences author's purpose. Analyze and criticize Sophocles' writing style. |
ParadosThe chorus is summarizing everything that has happened so far.
Sophocles makes sure to stress the imagery of the plague because they had no props, and the audience might not know what a plague is like. The Chorus is praying for the gods to help them through this plague, and Oedipus comes out just as they are finishing. |
Reflection: The function of the Parados is different than most literature. It is pretty unique to drama, and more specifically, Greek drama. A good way to think of the Chorus is as a narrator.
Learning Targets:
Summarize the plot of Oedipus. Explain literary devices authors use to convey their story. Understand how historical context influences author's purpose. Analyze and criticize Sophocles' writing style. |
Scene 1Soothsayer-someone who can tell the future. Teiresias was a
famous, legendary soothsayer. Oedipus promises to avenge Laius's murder. He swears that the murderer will be exiled when found, and rewards given to those who help him. Lines 236-237 are good examples of dramatic irony. Teiresias enters, because Oedipus has sent for him to help solve the murder of Laius. Teiresias regrets coming, and refuses to tell Oedipus what he knows about Laius's death. Once Oedipus threatens Teirisias, he then tells Oedipus that the murderer is Oedipus himself. (line 338, and again line 347). |