The Basics
Time and place Sophocles lived...
496- 406 B.C. - Athens
arrogance or overweening pride which uses the hero's transgression against the gods; usually the tragic flaw (big ego)
hubris
circular dancing place where the chorus performed
orchestra
emotions that tragedy starts with
pity and fear (later purges them- catharsis)
your name was inscribed on the theatre wall
Theatrical competition that started Sophocles' career as a dramatist
Dionysia
nemesis
fate that cannot be escaped
pardos
entrance used by the chorus
Is tragedy written in the form of action or a narrative?
action
two modern events you could compare to Dionysia
the Superbowl and the Olympics
Most famous of Sophocles' plays
Oedipus the King
purgation of emotions of pity and fear which leaves the viewer both relieved and elated
catharsis
skene
building used as a dressing room
what tragedy should emphasize
human suffering
Who financed Greek plays?
wealthy citizens
Number of Sophocles' plays that have survived
7
recognition or discovery on the part of the hero; change from ignorance the knowledge (event or moment of realization)
anagnorisis
gazing place where the audience sat
theatron
an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude; this means it has to be about someone or something important
tragedy
determined the winner of the competition
jury
Major theme of Sophocles' plays
The gods can influence human action, human beings can and should be held responsible for their actions
a tragic flaw that causes the downfall of the hero
hamartia
platform in front of the skene where the actors performed
proskenion
definition of a tragic hero
protagonist (main character) of a Greek drama who suffers a reversal of fortune, usually through some combination of hubris, fate, and the will of the gods
timeline of when the action takes place in a Greek play
between sunrise and sunset