Sophocles and the Ancient Greeks
Name two famous city states in Ancient Greece.
What do you call the group of actors/singers/dancers who would sing or recite sections of the play that were to provide extra commentary for the audience? They always performed as a group.
The Chorus
A. Kidnapping and Burglary
B. Arson and Identity Theft
C. Poisoning and Chariot-jacking
D. Murder and Incest
D. Murder and Incest
What famous psychiatrist was heavily influenced by the Oedipus myth?
Sigmund Freud
What important political system was born in Athens, in ancient Greece?
Democracy.
How was Greek Drama presented in classical times?
Plays were performed in competitions, usually during festivals or other celebrations.
Oedipus was married to Jocasta, but also her son, and Laius was both his father and murder victim, and Antigone and Ismenes were both his daughters and sisters, and Jocasta was Antigone and Ismene’s mother and grandmother, and Creon was Oedipus's brother in law and Uncle. So what is the relationship between Creon and Antigone and Ismenes?
Creon is their uncle/great uncle.
Was Athenian democracy, and the freedom to vote, really available to everyone in Athens?
No, only to Athenian men. Women and slaves couldn’t vote.
What kind of subjects did Sophocles write about?
A. Current events
B. Lighthearted social commentary
C. Classic myths and stories that let him focus on big moral issues
C. Classical myths and stories.
Sophocles was an observer, who preferred to write about the classics so that he could examine ethical issues through familiar tales.
What sin did characters in Greek Tragedy often commit, which would lead to their downfall, and punishment by the gods?
Excessive pride, or Hubris.
What did Oedipus do to escape his prophesied fate?
He left Corinth, thinking that by leaving his mother and father behind, he could protect them.
What kind of Irony is Oedipus Rex full of?
A. Verbal Irony (what you say and mean are different)
B. Dramatic Irony (the audience knows more than the character)
C. Situational Irony (the events are the opposite of what you would expect)
Dramatic Irony, of course. There is never a lack of drama with Oedipus.
Which two famous Greek dudes were friends of Sophocles?
A. Demosthenes and Athena
B. Herodotus and Pericles
C. Perseus and Heracles
Herododus (the famous historian) and Pericles (the famous statesman)
What are Strophe and Antistrophe?
They are like an argument and counter argument, or a back and forth conversation performed by the Chorus.
What do Jocasta and Laius do to avoid their prophecy?
What does the name Oedipus mean, and what does it refer to?
“Swollen Foot” and it refers to the injuries baby Oedipus had when his ankles were pinned together, and he was meant to be abandoned by his mom and future bride.
Why is Sophocles considered to be sort of the perfect Athenian? Tell us at least three virtues or accomplishments.
He was sporty, handsome, a talented poet, an award winning playwright, a statesman, an upright citizen, a military strategist, a philosopher, etc.
What is Hamartia?
It is a character’s fatal flaw.
Where does the Oedipus Myth come from? Was it only a Greek Myth?
No, it came from several places around the world. It was an old folk tale in Finland, Albania, Cyprus, and Greece.