Scribe 8-23

Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Scribe: Katie
What we did in class:
1.Smith collected our class expectations that should be signed by parents.
2.Clair and Amy passed out donuts and we ate them.
3.Then we took a quiz over the Oedipus packets that Smith gave us on Monday.
4.Then we went over and discussed Oedipus notes.
What you need to do if you missed class:
1.Turn in class expectations to Smith and make sure it is signed.
2. Come in on an off- hour to make up Oedipus quiz.
You should study the packets that we got on Monday and pay attention to vocabulary terms. Most vocabulary terms are italicized. Material on the quiz comes from all the packets.
3. Look over Oedipus notes below and write down things you were unaware of. Make sure to understand a tragedy, and a tragic hero. If these terms are still unclear after reading the notes go in and talk to Smith.


Oedipus Notes
Tragedy:
Aristotle’s definition-an imitation of an action that is serious, complete and of a certain magnitude; in language embellished with each kind of artful ornament, the several kinds being found in separate parts of the play, in the form of action, not of narration; through pity and fear effecting the proper purgation of these and similar emotions.
Imitation- representation of life
Complete- beginning, middle, and end all presented
Certain magnitude- events must happen to a person of some importance Ornamental language- verse form, form of action, not narration, sung.
Purgation- cleansing the audience experiences at the end of the play.
• The audience must see human behavior in a
decision-making situation.
• The audience becomes aware of human failure and
potentiality.
• The audience is moved to pity for the way the hero
cannot avoid his circumstances and fear for the fact that he brought about his own downfall.
Greek Tragedy- courageous individuals who confront powerful forces within or outside themselves with a dignity that reveals the breadth and depth of the human spirit in the face of failure, defeat, and even death.
o Prologue- opening speech which sets the stage
o Parados- chorus gives its perspective
o Episodia- characters engage in dialogue setting in
motion their conflicts
o Stasimon- chorus interprets the action and reacts to
it.
o Exodus- resolution occurs
Tragic Hero:
• Must essentially be a good person who through some
error of judgment, or weakness in character brings doom on himself. The character most be of high standing so his fall seems for terrifying.
• Must be more admirable in defeat than he was before
• Self-understanding must evolve for the hero-
however, the choice he made was not the intended outcome (transfiguration)
• Not sure whether there is order in the universe
• Concerned about man for good or evil, or could be
indifferent to humanity
• At times he feels part of society and others feels
alone and rejected
• He feels as though he has divine revelations
(nobility)-gods appoint rulers idea
• Believes in his own freedom
• Supreme pride or arrogance
• Capacity for suffering- no fear of death
• Sense of commitment- once the forces have been set
in motion, there is no convincing him otherwise
• Vigorous protest of his fate- he doesn’t go down
without a fight (this is why the audience loves him!) Displays god-like qualities.
• Impact is made on the audience…a deeper
understanding of humanity
• Fate is beyond all control
• The fate of the community surrounding the tragic
hero is connected to him. If the tragic hero suffers so must the community.
• Tragic hero is ennobled by his newly gained
self-knowledge and wisdom. Needs to find the truth about himself. Searching for his identity.
Terminology:
Catharsis-spiritual cleansing in the audience at the end of the play. Allows us to see vulnerability of mankind and that everything will work out as it should.
Hamartia- an internal tragic flaw, shortcoming, wrong act. However, this can also be outside the characters control.
Hubris- character flaw of overwhelming arrogance or pride Dramatic irony- the audience is aware of the background and fate of the characters. Aware of what fate will befall the tragic hero.
Peripeteia- (reversal) the point in which the hero’s fortune s turn in an unexpected direction.
Ananorsis- (recognition) previously unknown information is revealed and results in recognition.
Verbal irony- lines that contain double meanings or ambiguity
Greek Theater:
• Began as worship to the god Dionysus, god of
festivals and fertility
• Ran by the state- paid for all expenses
• Contests for the plays that were submitted
• Drama associated with religious and community
values…their plays celebrate their civilization.
• Chorus- 12-24 people. Provided the connection
between the audience and the actors.
• Orchestra- "dancing place" where the chorus chanted
lines and danced
• Skene- stage building that also served as dressing
rooms
• Very little set change- relied mostly upon
imagination of the audience
• 14,000 could attend
• Actors-
o No females
o 2-3 on stage
o Wore large masks that conveyed basic emotions
o Mouthpieces in the masks worked to project the sound
of their voice
o No elaborate actions- violence took place off stage
and was retold by messengers. Focus was on larger speeches instead.
Sophocles:
o 496-406 B.C.
o Statesman, general, treasurer, priest, dramatist
o Antigone, Oedipus the King, and Oedipus at Colonus
o Focus was on powerful characters full of ambition
o Reduced the role of the chorus and shifted more
emphasis on the actors
Oedipus the King:
o Prophecy
o Laius and Jocasta- Thebes
o "swollen foot"
o King and Queen of Corinth
o Prophecy comes true!
o Sphynx- solving the riddle
o Plague on Thebes
o Themes:
o Quest for identity
o Nature of innocence and guilt
o Nature of moral responsibility
o Human will versus fate
o Abuse of power

Homework: Homework assigned in class today that is due in class on Friday August 25 is responding to the following question in essay form. It should be in 12 pt. font, double spaced and one and a half pages long.
How have you been impacted by your parents, friends, or a significant individual?