Oedipus the King - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Oedipus the King also known by the Latin title Oedipus Rex, is an Athenian tragedy by Sophocles that was first performed c. 429 BCE

Oedipus the KingSlide2

Link to Family Tree / Images of Stagehttp://www.aug.edu/~nprinsky/Humn2001/oed-nq.htmCadmus- mythical founder and first king of Thebes, a city in central Greece where the play takes place Slide3

Cadmus - Ancestor of LaiusMisfortune1st citizens devoured by dragonCadmus laid him dead.Sowed dragon’s teethTribe of giants5 fathers of Thebes

Oedipus- biological parents:

Laius

and JocastaSlide4

OedipusLife clouded with disasterOracle- foretold his futureDestined to kill his father and marry his mother.Raised as a prince of CorinthThinks Polybus and Merope are his real parents

“Could any mortal be

so presumptuous

as to try to thwart it?Slide5

OedipusWho saves him? Why?What happens on Oedipus’ journey when he encounters his biological father?How does this fulfill the prophecy and facilitate the next step set forth by the Oracle? infanticidepatricideregicidefratricide

https://www.msu.edu/~defores1/gre/roots/gre_rts_afx2.htmSlide6

Riddle of the SphinxGreek mythologySphinx sat outside of Thebes asked travelers a riddle. Failed to solve the riddle, then death Correct,

then the Sphinx

would

destroy herself.

http://www.pitt.edu/~edfloyd/Class1130/sphinx.htmlSlide7

The Riddle of the Sphinx"What goes on four feet in the morning, two feet at noon, and three feet in the evening?“ In some accounts the word “legs” is substituted for feet.What is your answer?Slide8

The Answer"Man, who crawls in infancy, walks upright in his prime, and leans on a cane in old age." Slide9

Paradox“Central from the very beginning: the idea of paradox, of riddling wisdom, of the one-that-is-many: much of the meaning of the play derives from the specifics of the poetic wording”Slide10

Focus QuestionsWhat is a paradox? What is dramatic irony?What does it mean to supplicate? What then is a suppliant?Craft a sentence in which you use the words supplicate and suppliant in a sentence that shows your understanding of these words. Challenge: Write a sentence using these words that also demonstrates your understanding of the word irony.Slide11

ParadoxParadox: Quotes http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/paradoxIrony versus Paradoxhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtU2Mth86HcSlide12

Dionysus- Festivals of DionysusTragedies performed in spring at the annual state religious festival in honor of Dionysus the (god of wine and fertility)Contest between three playwrights- three days.Each playwright – one trilogy of tragedies + one comic piece called a satyr play. At most three actors + chorus

Related to the word satire?

http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=satire

Source: http://faculty.gvsu.edu/websterm/Tragedy.htmSlide13

Playwrights TragediansAeschylusSophocles (Oedipus Rex)EuripidesComedianAristophanesSophocles won first prize for tragic drama defeating Aeschylus in 468.

Sophocles wrote over 100 plays; only 7 of his tragedies survive.Slide14

Greek theatre was in the open airPerformances probably lasted most of the day. Performances were apparently open to all citizens, including women, but evidence is scanty. The theatre of Dionysus at Athens held around 15,000 -17,000 people.Slide15

Facts about the Athenian theaterPlays were performed amid environment of “high civic splendor” and “religious ritual”. Performing these plays is described as a “solemn responsibility”Religious approach to the dramatic theme.Slide16

Facts about the Athenian theaterAudience was familiar with plots.“Was taken as axiomatic that the play should tell already established story of the legendary or heroic past.”Attention not held in suspense over what would happen.Characterization / variationsDramatic irony – a subtle weapon Drama was art form that was not a “passing curiosity” but promoted “profound contemplation of eternal truths”. What does that mean?

The “unshirking” quest for truthSlide17

Read the opening scene of Oedipus.There are no traditional acts or scenes as we are accustomed to seeing them in this play. Please use line number references as you read.1st reading task: Page 25- middle of page 31 before Oedipus enters from the Palace Slide18

Universal aspects of theater“inconsistent vacillating mortals that we are…”“the human instinct for narrative and impersonation, for ritualistic expression and the interpretation of the power of natural forces…”What forces?The cycle of life and deathThe nexus of past, present, and futureFate and the nature of fate versus free willSlide19

Greek Theater - MasksAll actors were male and wore masksMasks may have amplified sound Masks exaggerated dominant characteristics of the role.Slide20

The Greek ChorusA Greek chorus chanted, danced and sang (in unison)Usually 15 in numberPresents background and summary information to help the audience follow the performanceExpresses to the audience what the main characters cannot say - hidden fears or secrets. Provides characters with needed insightsComments on important themes

Reflects on the choices of characters and their validity or morality

Entrance and exit sign like a curtain rising or closingSlide21

Role of the Chorus“The attention of the audience was not primarily to be held by the factor of suspense or the desire to see what happens. And this was the most fitting condition for the art form which was to invite not a passing curiosity but profound contemplation of eternal truths.”Slide22

Role of the ChorusStanding aloofUnifying and commentingInterpreter of the dramaWe like the Chorus are both in the tragedy and spectators of it.With them we are the citizens of ThebesWe are both in the tragedy and spectators of itRepresent the Theban Elders in OedipusSlide23

What makes Oedipus special?(From the introduction in your text…)ProsperousComplacent in this prosperityToo confident in his sufficiencyToo ready to take offense or impute blame when rattled by approach of troubleSee if you see these elements in his character as you read the text.Slide24

Take Notes!What is the problem to which Oedipus is responding?Who are the suppliants? For what reason and to whom are they supplicating?Take notes on the characterization of Oedipus, and specifically watch for the use of dramatic irony.Meet Creon brother to Jocasta and form your initial impressions of him as a character. Always prepare to back up your inferences with a specific detail from the text.

Watch for allusions to the gods and be prepared to paraphrase the words of the Chorus as they sum up the scene.

Where do you see the ideas of irony and paradox emerging in the text thus far?Slide25

What will Oedipus say next?First, answer the comprehension questions over last night’s reading using socrative.com.Our class is #541313Then, answer the short answer question on the half sheet.Question: Given your understanding that dramatic irony was used as a “subtle weapon” by Sophocles, what would Oedipus say next? Write a paragraph (without using your book) from the perspective of Oedipus responding to the pleas of his people. Don’t repeat the same general idea. Include an element of dramatic irony in your response.Slide26

Ironyirony that "Oedipus can only fulfill his exceptional god-ordained destiny because Oedipus is a preeminently capable and intelligent human being.Irony versus Paradoxhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtU2Mth86HcSlide27

Close ReadingDramatic irony (since we know it is Sophocles’ “subtle weapon”)ParadoxWord choice Allusions (to philosophers, to Greek culture, to other stories)SymbolsMotifs (patterns)Slide28

What have we seen so far?the “vile Enchantress”Allusion to metaphor of a shipPythian house of Apollo = Oracle at DelphiMotif of purificationMotif of light and darknessQuotes:“None suffers more than I… my heart bears the weight…”

“Their plight concerns me now, more than my life.”

“I will start afresh and bring everything into the light.”

Phoebus = ApolloSlide29

Film Renditionhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WS9KJ_bAJLEWhat is different about how the play is shown in this film rendition? Pay close attention to the film’s representation of The Chorus. What is the role of The Chorus in the opening scenes?Slide30

Oedipus: IronyOedipus has declared his devotion to finding the killer.Yet, the audience knows what he does not know.He is the killer!As we learned from the video, irony is the juxtaposition of intended meaning and unintended meaning, or the interplay of opposites when the audience knows that what a character “knows” to be true is the opposite of what is true.Slide31

Irony is not the same as “a bummer”.When a character’s intent is the opposite of the outcome, this is irony, but this is not the same as what is unfortunate.Alannis Morrisette’s song “Ironic” would be more aptly titled “Isn’t it a bummer?”

Lyrics to “Ironic”

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/alanismorissette/ironic.htmlSlide32

ParadoxTwo seemingly contradictory things that coexist simultaneouslyThe “puzzling wisdom” present in OedipusSlide33

Oedipus: Paradox “Not merely from a fellow-creature will I clear this taint, but from myself.”I see both irony and paradox in this statement because both are true. As he “clears this taint” by avenging the death of Laius, he will also “purify” himself. This is not exactly what he is saying, but the audience knows this because they know he is the killer.“I will start afresh and bring everything into the light.”The juxtaposition of light and darkness may contribute to the language of paradox. Watch for this as

you read.Slide34

Allusion to Ship of State“Surely there is no strength in wall or ship, where men are lacking and no life breathes within them.” Ship= community (Remember the relationship between the individual, the philosopher, and the community was an idea that was important to Plato, especially given the demise of his mentor Socrates.The ship of state

is a famous and oft-cited

metaphor

put forth by

Plato

in book VI of the

Republic

. It likens the governance of a city-state to the command of a naval vessel - and ultimately argues that the only men fit to be

captain

of this

ship

are

philosopher kings

, benevolent men with absolute power who have access to

the Form of the Good

.

(Yes, this is Wikipedia. One thing it does well is explain allusions in a concise manner and I know that this is accurate.)Slide35

Motif of Light and DarknessOedipus:“I will start afresh and bring everything into the light.”Chorus:“Night’s agony grows into tortured day. Zeus, let thy thunders crush, thy lightning slay.”Slide36

What is moral engineeringWhat does it mean to be moral?What is engineering?What might it mean to “engineer” morals?What might be problematic about “engineering” morality?Slide37

What is moral engineering?Moral engineering is the product/intent of a government or some other organized group/system/organization to bring/engineer/develop/lay the ground works for/design/direct the moral education/course/ definition that a society takes.  In the case of Greek Drama, the dramatists worked hand in hand with the government, doing their part to produce strong, moral citizens in order to produce a morally strong society. Slide38

Tragedy & Moral Engineering Through tragedy, they showed the audience that all of us were capable of being instrumental in bringing about our own downfall. “ I think they used people of consequence to have the fall from happiness, etc., that much more frightening.  If that could happen to a rich and powerful man, what hope do I have?  Well, if you choose to steer your life away from excessive pride and arrogance and realize that your actions can precipitate your demise, maybe you can avoid developing a tragic flaw and avoid a catastrophe.”Slide39

Moral EngineeringThe design and construction of a society in which “moral” behavior is facilitated.http://faculty.gvsu.edu/websterm/Tragedy.htmLink to video on Education Portal:http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/greek-theatre-tragedy-and-comedy.html#transcriptSlide40

Symbols of SupplicationWho are the supplicants and why have they come?Why did the people carry boughs to the twin altars of Pallas? Why did they place sacred embers of divination beside the river of Ismenus? How does the presentation of boughs to Oedipus impact the setting of the opening scene? What is divination?Harry Potter class?Slide41

What makes Oedipus special?(From the introduction in your text…)ProsperousComplacent in this prosperityToo confident in his sufficiencyToo ready to take offense or impute blame when rattled by approach of troubleThink about these elements as you begin to analyze Oedipus.Slide42

What Makes Oedipus a Tragic Hero?In what ways does he fit the definition of a tragic hero that you read when you researched Aristotle’s ideas about the tragic hero?Slide43

Elements of TragedyDownfall of a noble hero or heroine, usually through some combination of hubris, fate, and the will of the gods. Tragic hero encounters limits of human frailty: flaws of reason and hubris.The gods (through oracles, prophets, fate), or nature factor into the conflict.

http://www.ohio.edu/people/hartleyg/ref/aristotletragedy.htmlSlide44

Aristotle on Oedipusin his Poetics, Aristotle considered Oedipus the King to be the tragedy best matched his prescription for how drama should be madeACCORDING TO ARISTOTLE –

OEDIPUS REX –

IS THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF . . . .

TragedySlide45

Aristotle – The PoeticsThe Poetics is in part Aristotle's response to his teacher, Plato, who argues in The Republic that poetry is representation of mere appearances and is thus misleading and morally suspect. Aristotle's approach to the phenomenon of poetry is quite different from Plato's. Fascinated by the intellectual challenge of forming categories and organizing them into coherent systems, Aristotle approaches literary texts as a natural scientist, carefully accounting for the features of each "species" of text. Rather than concluding that poets should be banished from the perfect society, as does Plato,

Aristotle attempts to describe the social function, and the ethical utility, of art.

http://www.english.hawaii.edu/criticalink/aristotle/Slide46

AristotleAristotle says that the tragic hero should have a flaw and/or make some mistake (hamartia). The hero need not die at the end, but he / she must undergo a change in fortune. In addition, the tragic hero may achieve some revelation or recognition (anagnorisis--"knowing again" or "knowing back" or "knowing throughout" ) about human fate, destiny, and the will of the gods. Slide47

Aristotle / Poeticsthe artist gives shape to the universal, not the accidental. Poetry, Aristotle says, is "a more philosophical and serious business than history; for poetry speaks more of universals, history of particulars."(catharsis): tragedy first raises (it does not create) the emotions of pity and fear, then purifies or purges them. 

http://www.ohio.edu/people/hartleyg/ref/aristotletragedy.htmlSlide48

Aristotle / PoeticsThe tragic hero is "a [great] man who is neither a paragon of virtue and justice nor undergoes the change to misfortune through any real badness or wickedness but because of some mistake.”a) a great man: "one of those who stand in great repute and prosperity, like Oedipus and Thyestes: conspicuous men from families of that kind." The hero is neither a villain nor a model of perfection but is basically good and decent.

b) "mistake" (

hamartia

): has also been translated as "flaw" or as "error." The great man falls through--though not entirely because of--some weakness of character, some moral blindness, or error. We should note that the gods also are in some sense responsible for the hero's fall.

http://www.ohio.edu/people/hartleyg/ref/aristotletragedy.htmlSlide49

CatharsisOne of the most difficult concepts introduced in the Poetics is catharsis, a word which has come into everyday language even though scholars are still debating its actual meaning in Aristotle's text. Catharsis is most often defined as the "purging" of the emotions of pity and fear that occurs when we watch a tragedy.

What is actually involved in this purging is not clear. It is not as simple as getting an object lesson in how to behave; the tragic event does not "teach us a lesson" as do certain public-information campaigns on drunk driving or drug abuse.

http://www.english.hawaii.edu/criticalink/aristotle/Slide50

CatharsisHans-Georg Gadamer's attempt to describe catharsis in his study Truth and Method can serve both as a working definition and an introduction into the problem of establishing any determinate definition of this elusive concept: What is experienced in such an excess of tragic suffering is something truly common. The spectator recognizes himself [or herself] and his [or her] finiteness in the face of the power of fate. What happens to the great ones of the earth has exemplary significance. . . .To see that "this is how it is" is a kind of self-knowledge for the spectator, who emerges with new insight from the illusions in which he [or she], like everyone else, lives. (132)

http://www.english.hawaii.edu/criticalink/aristotle/Slide51

Hubris and HamartiaOften said to be his "hubris/hybris" (both spellings are acceptable). What is hubris? NOT really "pride"-- a poor translation. Rather, it is the quality of not keeping awareness of your human limitations: the opposite of sophrosyne (= "moderation"). Compare the meaning of the saying of Thales inscribed above the temple of Apollo at Delphi: gnothi sauton

: "know thyself" = "know that you are not a god, that you have human limitations"

hamartia

= "

error

“

Hamartia and Hubris

http://www.class.uidaho.edu/engl257/Classical/hamartia.htmSlide52

Fate or Free Will?The idea that attempting to avoid an oracle is the very thing which brings it about is a common motif in many Greek myths.The degree to which a Oedipus controls his own fate is a subject of debate. Do the gods predetermine his fate or does the oracle simple predict it through an omniscience that comes from knowing him so well.Oedipus makes choices which makes it pity and fear= catharsis!He does not have a choice in his own circumstances but he certainly does choose his own actions.Slide53

Jocasta “A fig for divination” (49).“Where are you now, divine prognostications!” (51).“Chance rules our lives, and the fortune is all unknown. Best live as best we may, from day to day” (52).Slide54

Ship of StateIt comes up again….Jocasta page 50:“We are afraid, seeing our master-pilot distraught.”Think about how this relates to Aristotle’s concept of the tragic hero. Oedipus is a man who is highly regarded by this people, someone whose fall would likely inspire catharsis.Slide55

Pride as a Theme“Pride breeds the tyrant”“The woman, with more than woman’s pride, is shamed by my low origin. I am the child of Fortune, the giver of good, and I shall not be shamed.”“O Oedipus, that proud head!” (59).How are the themes of pride and fate intertwined? Slide56

MotifsLight and darknessSeeing and blindnessPurification“O Light! May I never look on you again, revealed as I am, sinful in my begetting, sinful in marriage, sinful in the shedding of blood!”“Show me the man whose happiness was anything more than illusion followed by disillusion” (59).“Yesterday my morning of light, now my night of endless darkness!” (59).Slide57

PurificationHow does the theme of purification relate to the idea of catharsis? Slide58

PurificationIt is with this theme that we begin the last section of the play from the words of the Attendant:Not all the waters of Ister, the waters of Phasis, can wash the dwelling clean of the foulness within, clean of the deliberate acts that soon shall be known, of all the horrible acts most horrible, willfully chosen” (59).Slide59
Slide60

Anagnorisisb) "recognition" (anagnorisis or "knowing again" or "knowing back" or "knowing throughout" ): a change from ignorance to awareness of a bond of love or hate. For example, Oedipus kills his father in ignorance and then learns of his true relationship to the King of Thebes.Recognition scenes in tragedy are of some horrible event or secret, while those in comedy usually reunite long-lost relatives or friends. A plot with tragic reversals and recognitions best arouses pity and fear.Slide61

Peripeteiaa) "reversal" (peripeteia): occurs when a situation seems to developing in one direction, then suddenly "reverses" to another. For example, when Oedipus first hears of the death of Polybus (his supposed father), the news at first seems good, but then is revealed to be disastrous.Slide62

Pathosc) "suffering" (pathos): Also translated as "a calamity," the third element of plot is "a destructive or painful act." The English words "sympathy," "empathy," and "apathy" (literally, absence of suffering) all stem from this Greek word.Slide63

Quote from a Critic“Let us pause to note the king's tragic virtue. Though Oedipus is a man from the ancient myths, Sophocles has him speak with the fervor of an Athenian of his own time, one for whom the city is an object of religious devotion. Were it not for Oedipus' intellectual acuity and restlessness, and his care for the people, the tragedy would not unfold; he would never learn that he himself was the cause of the plague. Nor should we wriggle out of the difficulty by attributing to Oedipus a haughty overvaluing of human knowledge, a refusal to submit to the wisdom of the gods. Here at least we learn that Oedipus has admitted being stumped and has sent to the oracle of Apollo at Delphi to find out what he can.”Slide64

Modern Day Tragic HeroesWilly Loman (The Death of a Salesman)Troy Maxson (Fences)Slide65

The Psychology of OedipusWith a partner, your task is to trace Oedipus’ tragic path by identifying and evaluating the key choices he makes in the play. (This includes things he says). For each passage from the text, label the “moment” with an adjective that describes his emotions or his state of mind. Consider not only the main idea of what Oedipus is saying, but also his diction. What words in particular stand out to you and why? Also consider how the use of allusions, elements of paradox and irony, and the connotation of particular words contribute to the layers of meaning in the text.Slide66

Links to Go with Tragedy Terms BYODhttp://www.ohio.edu/people/hartleyg/ref/aristotletragedy.html