🏛️Ancient Mediterranean Classics Unit 6 – Greek Tragedy: Three Great Playwrights

Key Concepts and Themes

• Greek tragedy explores universal human experiences such as love, loss, pride, and the struggle between individual will and fate
• The plays often feature protagonists who are of noble birth or hold high status in society, emphasizing the idea that even the mighty can fall
• Tragic heroes typically possess a tragic flaw (hamartia) that leads to their downfall, such as hubris (excessive pride) or a lack of self-awareness
• The concept of catharsis, the purging of emotions through the experience of watching a tragedy, is central to the genre
• Greek tragedies frequently involve the intervention of gods in human affairs, highlighting the limited control mortals have over their destinies
• The plays often grapple with complex moral dilemmas and the consequences of characters' choices
• Family dynamics, particularly parent-child relationships and sibling rivalries, are common themes in Greek tragedy (Oedipus Rex, Antigone)
• The plays explore the tension between the individual and society, as characters navigate conflicting duties and expectations

Historical Context

• Greek tragedy emerged in Athens during the 6th century BCE and reached its peak in the 5th century BCE
• The plays were performed at religious festivals honoring Dionysus, the god of wine, fertility, and theater
• Tragedies were presented as part of a competition, with playwrights vying for prizes awarded by judges
• The performances were attended by a wide cross-section of Athenian society, including citizens, foreigners, and slaves
• The plays were performed in outdoor theaters, such as the Theatre of Dionysus in Athens, which could seat up to 17,000 spectators
• Greek tragedy developed alongside the rise of Athenian democracy, and the plays often reflected political and social issues of the time
• The plays were funded by wealthy sponsors (choregoi) who were responsible for financing the production and training the chorus
• The actors were all male, and they wore masks to indicate their characters and to allow them to play multiple roles

The Three Great Playwrights

• Aeschylus (c. 525-456 BCE) is considered the father of Greek tragedy
  • He introduced the second actor, allowing for greater dramatic dialogue and conflict
  • His plays often explore themes of justice, fate, and the relationship between humans and gods (Oresteia trilogy)
• Sophocles (c. 496-406 BCE) is known for his complex characters and masterful use of dramatic irony
  • He introduced the third actor and increased the size of the chorus
  • His plays often feature protagonists who face moral dilemmas and the consequences of their actions (Oedipus Rex, Antigone)
• Euripides (c. 480-406 BCE) is celebrated for his innovative and unconventional approach to tragedy
  • He often challenged traditional myths and presented gods in a less favorable light
  • His plays are known for their psychological depth and exploration of human emotions (Medea, The Bacchae)

Dramatic Structure and Conventions

• Greek tragedies typically follow a three-act structure: the protasis (exposition), epitasis (complication), and catastrophe (resolution)
• The plays begin with a prologue, which provides background information and sets the scene
• The chorus, a group of actors who comment on the action and provide insight into the characters' motivations, is a key element of Greek tragedy
  • The chorus performs odes between scenes, which reflect on the events of the play and offer moral or philosophical commentary
• The plays feature a limited number of characters, usually no more than three actors on stage at a time
• The action takes place in a single location and unfolds over the course of a single day, adhering to the principles of unity of place and time
• The plays often employ dramatic irony, where the audience knows more than the characters, creating tension and anticipation
• The use of deus ex machina, a plot device in which a god appears at the end of the play to resolve the conflict, is a common convention in Greek tragedy (Euripides' Medea)

Notable Works and Plot Summaries

• Aeschylus' Oresteia trilogy (Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, The Eumenides) follows the curse on the House of Atreus and Orestes' quest for justice after his father's murder
• Sophocles' Oedipus Rex tells the story of Oedipus, who unknowingly kills his father and marries his mother, fulfilling a tragic prophecy
  • Antigone, another play by Sophocles, depicts the conflict between Antigone and her uncle Creon over the proper burial of her brother
• Euripides' Medea portrays the revenge of Medea against her unfaithful husband Jason, culminating in the murder of their children
  • The Bacchae, also by Euripides, explores the consequences of denying the power of Dionysus and the importance of balance between reason and instinct

Influence on Literature and Culture

• Greek tragedy has had a profound impact on Western literature, influencing playwrights, poets, and novelists across centuries
• The plays have inspired countless adaptations, translations, and reinterpretations, testifying to their enduring relevance and universal themes
• The concepts and conventions of Greek tragedy, such as the tragic hero, catharsis, and the use of chorus, have become integral to the Western literary tradition
• The plays have also influenced other art forms, including opera (Strauss' Elektra), ballet (Martha Graham's Night Journey), and film (Pier Paolo Pasolini's Oedipus Rex)
• Greek tragedy has shaped our understanding of drama and storytelling, laying the foundation for the development of modern theater

Critical Analysis and Interpretation

• Aristotle's Poetics, written in the 4th century BCE, provides a critical analysis of Greek tragedy and its elements, such as plot, character, and spectacle
• The plays have been interpreted through various lenses, including psychoanalytic, feminist, and political perspectives
  • Sigmund Freud's concept of the Oedipus complex draws from Sophocles' Oedipus Rex, highlighting the psychological depth of the play
• The plays have been seen as reflections of Athenian society and its values, offering insight into the political and social dynamics of the time
• The role of women in Greek tragedy has been a subject of critical debate, with some scholars arguing that the plays perpetuate patriarchal norms while others see them as subversive and empowering
• The plays have been interpreted as explorations of the human condition, grappling with timeless questions of morality, free will, and the nature of suffering

Modern Adaptations and Relevance

• Greek tragedies continue to be adapted and performed in modern times, attesting to their enduring appeal and relevance
• Jean Anouilh's Antigone (1944) reimagines Sophocles' play in the context of Nazi-occupied France, exploring themes of resistance and moral integrity
• Eugene O'Neill's Mourning Becomes Electra (1931) transposes the Oresteia trilogy to post-Civil War New England, examining the psychological turmoil of a family haunted by the past
• Wole Soyinka's The Bacchae of Euripides (1973) adapts Euripides' play to explore postcolonial themes and the clash between traditional African culture and Western influence
• The plays continue to resonate with contemporary audiences, addressing issues such as power, justice, and the consequences of our actions
• Greek tragedy serves as a reminder of the enduring power of storytelling and the universal human experiences that connect us across time and culture