The Drama of Greece
The Drama of Greece The Greek play, "Oedipus Rex" which was written by Sophocles, is a Greek tragedy. The Greek tragedies were tragic dramas. A play that focuses on a central character called a tragic protagonist or a hero. This tragic protagonist will suffer from some misfortune that is uncontrollable. Greek tragedies will end in misery most of the time. "Oedipus Rex" is an excellent example of a Greek tragedy. The tragic protagonist, Oedipus, suffers from an uncontrollable problem. He is cursed at birth to kill his father, Laius, and to marry his mother, Jocasta. The play ends with misery when the clarvoyants predictions become reality. It follows the outline of the Greek tragedy perfectly. The writer of "Oedipus Rex", Sophocles, was one of the most reknowned playwrights of Greek tragedies. Sophocles was born in 495 B.C., near Athens at a time when the Greek Empire was thriving and plays were becoming popular. "He studied all of the arts," (Sophocles biography) and by the age of sixteen was already recognized for his artistic ability. In his career he wrote over 120 plays, winning eighteen first prizes and the remainder took second place. He competed at the Theatre of Dionysus in the City of Dionysia at a festival which took place every year. He also enjoyed acting and did so in many of his own plays. Eventually he quit acting and moved on to other things. Outside of the theatre Sophocles was also an 2 ordained priest, he served on the Board of Generals in Athens, and was also director of the Treasury for the Delian Confederacy. He contributed to theatre in many ways. Sophocles was the first person to add a third actor into a Greek tragedy. "He also abolished the trilogic form," (Sophocles biography) which meant that he only used one play to tell the story and not three plays as usual. Sophocles is also responsible for the invention of scenepainting. In the year 405 B.C. Sophocles passed away taking with him the end of "...the first great age of tragedy..." (Sophocles biography). Greek tragedies had a very characteristic structure, scenes of dialogue which alternate with choral songs. This unique arrangement allowed for the chorus to comment on what had just taken place in the play through their songs. Most of the Greek tragedies began with an opening scene of dialogue which is called a prologue. The prologue was spoken by one or two characters from the play. It was spoken before the chorus appears. The mythlogical background which was usually required to understand the play was given in the prologue. During the prologue the speaker will announce the time, place, and dramatic situation. When the prologue is finished it is followed by the parodos. This was sang by the chorus who sang it while they were first entering the orchestra. Next there is a scene of dialogue which is called an episode. An episode is where the characters speak. The 3 episode is then followed by a stasimon. A stasimon is where the other characters most likely will exit the stage and the chorus will sing and dance the stasimon, or choral ode.