You are about to embark on a journey into the dark but illuminating world of the

Oedipus story. Although written thousands of years ago, it will hold your interest as you love,

murder, and betrayal.

PART 1PRE-READING

TheatronOrchestraAltarSkene buildingLogeionParodosThrone

TRAGEDY

An imitation of a serious action which will arouse pity and fear in the viewer.

TRAGIC HERO

A character, usually of high birth, neither totally good nor totally evil, whose downfall is brought about by some weakness or error in judgment..

TRAGEDY

CHORUS AND CHORAGOS

MASKS

MASKS

SOPHOCLES

Who was Sophocles?

• A Greek philosopher• lived in the 400’s BC• wrote The Theban Plays.

Sophocles’ contribution to Greek theatre

• Added a third actor (Before, only two)• Fixed number of Chorus to 15 (Before,

about 50)• Introduced painted scenery • Made each play of the trilogy separate

in nature (ex: these three plays were written as individual works, then became a trilogy)

THE TRILOGY

The three Theban PlaysOedipus King (Oedipus Rex), 429 B.C.Oedipus Colonus, 401 B.C.Antigone, ___ B.C.

This family is very complex.

Laius- First King of Thebes we meet. Husband to Jocasta, Father to Oedipus. Killed by Oedipus.

Jocasta-Queen of Thebes, wife To Laius, mother to Oedipus; wife to Oedipus, mother to Polyneices, Eteocles, Ismene, and Antigone.

Oedipus- Son of Laius and Jocasta, raised in Corinth. 2nd King of Thebes we meet, marries Jocasta, father to Polyneices, Eteocles, Ismene, Antigone.

Creon- Brother of Jocasta, uncle to Oedipus, Polyneices, Eteocles, Ismene, and Antigone. In line for Theben throne.

Chorus/ Choragos- Usually sing and dance during play. They express mood and theme, add background information, divide action, and offer reflection on events.(Choragos) the leader of the Chorus; asks questions, advises, and expresses opinion.

THE FAMILY

Antigone- Daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta

Ismene- Daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta

Polynieces- Older son of Oedipus and Jocasta, in line for throne of Thebes, defeated by brother.

Eteocles- Younger son of Oedipus and Jocasta, in line for throne of Thebes, collaborates with Creon, defeated by brother.

Haimon- Son of Creon and Eurydice (Creon’s wife)

Theseus- King of Clonus.

Tieresias- Oracle/ “seer”/ one who can see the future.

THE FAMILY

1. What prophesy did the oracle tell Laius and Jocasta about? The oracle told them that their son would kill his father and marry his mother.2. How did Oedipus become king of Thebes?He defeated the spinx with the answer, “man”.3. How did the prophesy come true?Oedipus killed his father at a crossroads without knowing him, and married his mother when he became king of Thebes after defeating the spinx.4. Why was finding the “Bad man” ironic?It was ironic because Oedipus was the bad man.5. What was Oedipus’ punishment from the city, and from himself? Do you think these were fair?The city exiled him, and Oedipus blinded himself.

QUESTIONSOEDIPUS THE KING

Laius and Jocasta have a baby boy- oracle says the baby will kill its father and marry its mother. Lauis abandons the baby in the woods with a wounded foot to change their destiny.Baby is rescued, named Oedipus (because of his foot) and raised by king and queen of Corinth.Oedipus goes to oracle, hears same prophesy that Laius heard, leaves home to protect family.Kills Laius on his journey. Answers the Sphinx’s riddle, becomes new king of Thebes, marries Jocasta.They have four children, Polyneices, Eteocles, Ismene, and Antigone.When a plauge arrives, Oedipus learns from an oracle that it was sent to cleanse Thebes of a bad man, one who fulfilled the aforementioned prophesy.Oedipus goes on a hunt to find this bad man, which turns out to be himself.Oedipus is exiled from Thebes, and blinds himself for his crimes.

RECAP!OEDIPUS THE KING

1. What is the Oracles (Tieresias?) new prophesy for Oedipus?That his body will bring good luck to the city it is buried in.2. Who is Thesues?The king of Colonus.3. What are two things Creon does?Tries to take Oedipus back to Thebes through force, and kidnaps the sisters.4. What do these actions show us about Creon’s personality?That is he aggressive, stubborn, and determined, but not in a good way.5. What are the brothers doing? Why?The brothers are at war with each other, because they each want to be the king of Thebes.6. Describe Oedipus’ death.Oedipus hears the gods calling him, his daughters dress him in proper burial attire, and he disappears

QUESTIONSOEDIPUS AT COLONUS

Oedipus and his daughters have been wandering since leaving Thebes, they arrive at a holy ground outside of Athens. Oedipus knows he is suppose to die there, and sends for the King of Colonus- Theseus. Ismene has been to see the oracle, and returns with the bad news that Oedipus’ sons have gone to war over his throne. Also, that the city Oedipus is buried in will be brought good luck. Both sons and Creon (who’s working with Eteocles) know this, and Creon comes to try to take Oedipus back to Thebes.Theseus protects Oedipus and the girls against Creon. Polyneices tries to beg for his father’s help, but Oedipus puts a curse on his sons that they will die at each others hands.In the end, Oedipus dies a holy death, and brings good fortune to Theseus’ city. The girls are heartbroken, and head back to Thebes to stop the war between their brothers.

RECAP!OEDIPUS AT COLONUS

Rank the people you are most loyal to. 1 = most loyal 5 = least loyal

Family, friends, school, country, church, etc. Are you loyal to any of these and if so, why or why not.

Why do you think we rank them differently?

RANK YOUR LOYALITIES