Taking A Look At Greek Tragedies

Taking a Look at Greek Tragedies
The word 'tragedy' can be traced back to Ancient Greece. Although it now holds a very firm meaning it once was believed to mean "goat–song" it had
a connection to the Greek god Dionysus ("Tragedy"). Tragedies have evolved throughout the centuries and there is myriads of definitions for tragedies
many of which refute the others, however, Aristotle'sPoetics gives its own definition as well as lots of insight. While there is no universal agreement of
how a tragedy exactly should be concocted there are many reoccurring themes in tragedies which are present in Antigone such as the law of men
against the law of the gods, Hamartia (the tragic flaw), View on Women, the bonds of family and the metaphor used by Aristotle which he values so
highly: Catharsis. At the beginning of the play the audience is in ignorance but as the tragedy develops and uses its themes by the end it emanates
knowledge. The themes in Antigone display many things for example the law of men against the law of the gods shows human ignorance and 'great'
rulers committing foolish mistakes which they highly pay for. The tragic flaw shows that humans are more often that credited with being responsible
for their own death through their ignorance; although Antigone is quite aware of the consequences her tragic flaw will be responsible for. The view on
women shows the little power that women had at the time being expressed through the passive women like Antigone's sister while also giving heroines
to act as moral
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The Tragedy Of The Greek Tragedy
Great Tragedy Results in Deeper thinking Throughout the history of ancient literature, tragedy was one of the most famous and significant literary
forms. Especially, Greek tragedy literature was a popular and influential form of drama performed in theatres across ancient Greece from the late 6th
century BCE, and formed the foundation upon which all modern theatre is based (Cartwright). I will look for not only the reasons why Greek writers
composed such tragedy, but also focus on what made the audience enjoy the tragedy. Because, essentially the readers and the audience were the people
make literatures famous and the way how audience interpreted them is also important. Indeed, tragedy not only influenced the ancient audience, but
also have a great effect upon many current readers.
Before we begin discuss about the ancient tragedy, let me first illustrate the meaning of tragedy. Tragedy is a form of drama based on human
suffering that invokes an accompanying catharsis or pleasure in audiences (Banham). Moreover, some scholars suggest tragedy is the mirror image
or negative of comedy. For instead of depicting the rise in circumstances of a dejected or outcast underdog, tragedy shows us the downfall of a once
prominent and powerful hero. Like comedy, tragedy also supposedly originated as part of a religious ritual (Simpson). And in ancient Greek, both
comedy and tragedy were performed widely in the theatre. Essentially, both comedy and tragedy were created and performed

Greek Theater: Tragedy Essay
Greek theatre is based on religious and political performance with prestige playwrights. The roles are always played by men who wear masks and
costumes and the performance were always outdoors. Greek theatre has had comedy and tragedy where comedies the heroes are ironic and disengaged
to the situations. With the tragedy, heroes often respond with emotions such as pride, rage, lust, envy or grief. This essay will focus on the tragedy
side of Greek theatre. Aristotle says that tragedy "is not the imitations of persons but of actions and of life." (Butcher 1961). Here "imitation" meaning
'mimesis'–poet creating a image out of nothing, representing reality itself giving it form and meaning. Furthermore the actions are the mimesis of the
poet ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The hero is basically a decent person, neither a villain nor a perfection model.
Aristotle says "A man cannot become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall." This tragic flaw is the hero's own free choice where his
death is seen as a human waste. However it is not of pure loss as greater knowledge and self awareness is highlighted. In Macbeth, he is introduced
as nobility, crowned for bravery as "Thane of Cawdor" The quote, "No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive our bosom interest. Go pronounce his
present death, and with his former title greet Macbeth. What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won", shows Macbeth's nobility. Soon after which he is
doomed, who bears the actions of his own responsibilities – a common trait of a tragic hero. Aristotle insists that the plot is the principle element of
tragedy, the arrangements of the incidents and how it is presented to the audience together with its structure is the vital component. It is the incidents
and themes of the plot that bring richness and value to the play.
In Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet, the tragedy is emphasized through the characteristics of the protagonist and the outcome depends on the tightly
constructed cause and effects of the superior characters. In both plays there is incentive moment, climax and a resolution. The incentive moment is
within the compass of the play, in Macbeth the witches visit him to tell him that he will be the king and occurs exactly after

Medea Greek Tragedy
Recently, I have read a Greek tragedy by the name of Medea, written by Euripides. It was written in Athens in 431 BC and tells the story of a
woman named Medea's mental breakdown and retaliation for her husband, Jason, leaving her and her children for the daughter of a king. Euripides
wrote often about those who didn't fit into the ideals of the Athenian society, such as war victims, slaves, and women. Since Euripides was avid in
exposing Athens' ignorance towards its 'lesser citizens' and Medea being written during the Peloponnesian War, Medea probably relates to how the
'lesser citizens' felt during that period. In the play, Medea is exiled by King Creon and perhaps that's how some of the Athenian citizens felt during this
time: exiled from... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The excerpt of Medea I read was towards the beginning of the play when Medea addressed the women of Corinth about the injustices that led to her
breakdown, which, later in the play, lead to her murdering King Creon and her own children. The speech Medea gives to the women of Corinth speaks
about how Jason, her husband in which she depended on for everything, left her, how the women's family must pay for the marriage, the women being
stuck with her husband whether he's good or bad, having to learn his customs, and remain indoors to "live a life free of danger" while he could go
anywhere and do as he pleases. Women had to stay inside and rely completely on their husband for everything and having Medea's husband abandon
her and her children with nothing was probably what set Medea off on her breakdown. She had nothing and could do nothing, but still had to provide
for her and her children, and being exiled from the city made her situation even more difficult. The excerpt ended on a very suspicious note, Medea
asks the women to keep quiet in the event where she finds "some way and device through which to extract retribution for by husband for these evils
[and from the man who gave his daughter to him, and that daughter whom he married] ..." for "when her marriage–bed has been defiled, no one has a
bloodier

Most Popular Greek Tragedies
Athens brought acting to Greece. It started with singing and then acting started to emerge. The word theatre comes from the word theatron, meaning a
place for seeing.
The reason why they acted was to entertain people, for religious reasons and to honour the god Dionysus.
There are two main types of plays they preformed. They are called tragedy and comedy. Tragedy was very serious plays, the ending were usually sad.
The characters were gods or kings to whom terrible things occurred, like accidentally killing ones own farther. Comedies were humorous plays with
happy endings. In comedy plays they would usually make fun of gods or important people. The two faces that you have most likely seen before shows
comedy and tragedy. That is how they got the two faces from the Greeks. ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Aristophanes was a writer that wrote comedy plays. He wrote about 54 plays. His most popular plays are Birds, Wasps and frogs Sophocles,
Euripides and Aeschylus are writers of tragic plays. Sophocles wrote 120 plays, the most popular ones are antigone, electra and oedipus rex.
Euripides wrote about 90 plays. The most popular plays are Medea, The Trojan woman, Orestses and The Bacchae. Aeschylus wrote at least 70 plays.
His most famous ones are The Persians and Prometheus Bound.
The costumes that they wore were mask, padded costumes and platform shoes so the audience could see them. The masks were the main thing that the
Greek actors wore. They used the mask to show their characters feeling and they had to play all different characters. They even played animals.
People could act as many thing. They could act as animal and they would have an animal mask. They could act as male and female. An actor wearing
highly decorated stage boots, carrying a sword and is showing a mask is most likely to be playing as a

Quest For Literary Form : The Greeks Believed That The...
Quest for literary form The Greeks believed that the tragedy was the greatest form of drama, and Aristotle's concept of tragedy followed this belief. In
the modern times, there has been a change in this view with various authors abandoning the classical form to follow more liberal forms of literacy.
(Kennedy & Gioia, Pp. 1203)
Aristotle 's Concept of Tragedy The analysis of Aristotle on tragedy formed the guideline for later poets in the Western civilization. Aristotle defined
tragedy as "the simulation of actions that are stern, containing magnitudes, comprehensive in itself in a suitable and gratifying language in a dramatic
system. It contains occurrences that stimulate pity and distress to achieve a catharsis of these feelings." (Kennedy & Gioia, Pp. 1203)
Therefore, in poetry, Aristotle relates tragedy to some other metrical forms such as comedy and epic. Aristotle concludes that the tragedy just like all
poetry is an arrangement of simulation, but it has serious determination and uses straight action rather than the description to obtain its purpose. He
states that the imitation in poetry is the simulation of things as they ought to be and not as they are. (Kennedy & Gioia, Pp. 1204) The object of
tragedy is the result into catharsis of the audiences; this arouses in the audiences the feelings of pity and anxiety. Further, the object of tragedy at the
end of the drama is to eliminate these feelings in

In what ways is A view from the bridge like a Greek tragedy?
In what ways is A view from the bridge like a Greek tragedy?
Introduction
In this essay I will be explaining in what ways "A View from the
Bridge" is like a Greek tragedy by exploring what Eddie's tragic flaw is and how it influences his actions, sending him on a path of self–destruction that
eventually leads to his tragic downfall. I will also be explaining which of the other characters and key events in the play have the biggest impacts on
Eddie and his downfall.
In the opening scene of the play, the audience is shown the setting of the play, which is the harbour area of Brooklyn near the Brooklyn bridge. When it
shows Eddie with Beatrice and Catherine their use of dialogue initially suggests to the audience that they ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
And with them new high heels on the sidewalk – clack, clack, clack. The heads are turnin' like windmills."
This just proves that Eddie doesn't like Catherine wearing clothes that attracts the attention of other men because he gets jealous as he wants her to
himself. When Eddie talks about Beatrice's cousins coming to stay as illegal immigrants he tells the story of Vinny Bolzano, about how he called the
immigration bureau thus betraying his family and therefore turning his back on the Sicilian codes and values.
This is ironically prophetical of Eddie's own treachery later in the play. When Beatrice's cousins Marco and Rodolpho arrive to stay the audience can
see the type of man Eddie is, as when he meets the brothers for the first time he is friendly to both, but he warms quickly to Marco, a man's man and
superficially like Eddie. Also when Marco
"raises a hand to hush"
Rodolpho we read that Eddie
"is coming more and more to address Marco only."

He is made uneasy by the talkative young man with his unusual blonde hair. Later as Catherine becomes attracted to Rodolpho, Eddie immediately
seeks to discredit his rival, which is in fact the start of his tragic downfall. In Rodolpho's case, Eddie quickly finds a
'reason' for this. Rodolpho is slightly–built, blonde, a good singer and dancer and he can cook as well as make dresses. For the most part
Mike and Louis seem to share Eddie's view, for

Greek Tragedies Research Paper
What are Greek Tragedies? Greek Tragedies are "an extension of the ancient rites carried out in honor of Dionysus" (google.com). Tragedies have
been a part of Greek culture for a very long time and tragedies are still loved to this day. We should read tragedies because it affects us in different
ways. For example, our thoughts get across not only to ourselves, but to everyone because the Chorus proclaims their thoughts, which are similar to
ours. When we advanced through the play Oedipus, our thoughts continued to recur by the voice of the Chorus while it was also being reiterated in
our own mind. For instance, in the beginning of the play, we loved Oedipus just like the Chorus. Hearing our thoughts not only in our heads, but by
other people proclaiming them, gives us motivation to complete ideas that we were not courageous enough to do before because we know other
people know what we want to do. Also, tragedies give our brain a workout with the amount of ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Aristotle's chapter about poetics, helped not only the Greeks, but playwrights today write great tragedies for people to view or read now. It is not only
important to learn about tragedies, but to learn about history. Occasionally we can see a glimpse of history in the plays and what people in ancient
times were thinking. Reading and watching tragedies cause human beings to think about some profound ideas. At times, we worry about being alone in
thought and being unsure of ourselves, but tragedy helps pacify our minds from our own brain and our surroundings, similar to why the Greeks
watched tragedies. Finally, learning about tragedies gives us some small glimpses of history, every once in a while showing similarities in how people
think today and how others thought in ancient times. Tragedies, one of the world's phenomena, helps our brains alleviate what is going on in our

Greek Tragedy and Modern Drama
Greek Tragedy & Modern Drama
Tragedy as a form works differently than modern drama when compared to the ancient Greeks. When it comes to modern drama, the main character is
usually an ordinary person, someone who is middle class. Where as with Greek tragedy, the main character is someone important and noble, such as a
king or queen. Modern drama revolves around everyday problems such as social, economical, or personal conflicts. Greek Tragedies seem to be
very linear. It's mostly about the hero making a bad decision from the beginning of the play, which leads to his or her downfall in the end. Although,
they were of higher ranking, ancient Greek's beliefs made the main character powerless to avoid their fate, which was controlled by the gods. As far as
conventions go, Greek Tragedies are very unified. The tragedy of the royal protagonist will go through only one time span, a day or less, one setting,
and one story. In a modern tragedy, however, the ordinary protagonist's story goes through multiple realistic settings and a realistic time line. Also, the
story would contain multiple plots, which may contain flashbacks.
Taking a look at the elements of a Greek tragedy, a play calledOedipus the King is a good example. The story starts off with the city of Thebes being
under a plague due to the murder of its former king, Laius. Creon was sent by Oedipus to find a solution from the oracle, which was to find the
murderer who is within the city to get rid of the

Greek Tragedies: After Seating In Greek Hellenic Theatre
Apart from the colossal amount of Greek plays that contain tragedies in the history of showings, there lies a wondrous assemblage that stands alone.
This collection is meant to service our great people with humorous reassurance from the extreme connotation of tragedy and misfortune. The people of
these great city states rejoice in celebration after these showings, intended to neutralize the solemness and earnest lifestyle that comes with living in
our Greek society. If you asked me to compare the concepts expressed in comedies and in tragedies, I would merely laugh at the contradictoriness of
these opposing forms of play writing. However, even the atypical nature of this comedy there is an underlying value that yearned for awareness of...
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He indicates this present war as a insensible goal that is creating chaos among the livelihood of Greek citizens. Aristophanes rants and raves about the
selfishness of politicians that impose their foolish and pointless tasks while tuning out their own constituents. He effectively speaks about a ordinary
Greek farmer that is successful in areas that the politicians are unfamiliar with; having him journey to Sparta while signing a peaceful agreement
without an opposing foe. He points out how the factors of war can affect the lives our citizens, we have a some what fulfilled drive that strives to
bring peace and prosperity. He gives the audience a chance to dream of life that resides in a peaceful

Greek Tragedy : The Woman And The Man
I was first introduced to Greek tragedy through this course. Of course, I read a few things here and there in high school, and there are some popular
movies out currently, but my first real indulgence in this literature came from taking this class. One of the very first things I noticed about Greek
tragedy was the blatant inequality of the genders. Across almost all of the writing, there is a discrepancy between the expectations of the woman and
the man and, in most of the texts, its ignored and really just put out there for you to accept. Women had a very unique and understated role in Greek
civilization. Sometimes it is very subtle, and sometimes it is very blunt how the role of the woman is portrayed and what it actually means to the... Show
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In both poems women are important in Greek culture, but they play a much more controlled and restricted role in Homeric Greece. Women were
expected to be loyal and obedient to their husbands. They were expected to be graceful, dutiful wives and mothers. But, above all else, they were
required to take a role that depended on the existence of man in their lives.
For example, Hector's mother, Hecuba, is a female character that fits the standard feminine role. She feared for her son, and urged him not to re–enter
the battle. Although her worries were undeniably valid, Hector disregarded her wishes, because to have listened to any women (even your mother)
during those times would have been considered weak and cowardly. Hecuba almost functioned in the same capacity as the Chorus in a Greek tragedy.
Her voice was merely the voice of her culture.
Hector's wife, Andromache, also begged Hector to remain at home with her and their child. She knew the Trojan cause was doomed, and she wanted
to hold onto her husband for as long as she could keep them together. Even though it was clear that Hector loved Andromache, and they shared a
strong love for their son, he told her, "Please go home and tend to your own tasks, the distaff and the loom, and keep the women working hard as well" (
Iliad, Book VI, 304–305). At this point in the text, you see Andromache as not only a respectful devoted wife, but a frightened woman. These views of
her are only in

Greek Tragedy And The Morality Of Greek Culture Essay
Greek Tragedy and the Morality of Greek Culture
Theater in ancient Greece was considered the climax of the days long cultural festival of The City Dionysia. At the festival, various types of plays
were shown but one of the most popular was tragedy. These tragedies show the main character, usually a god or person of myth, going through human
suffering and the terrible sequence of events that followed; and were produced in 472– 401 BCE. In order for a play to be performed at The City
Dionysia festival; tragic playwrights would first have to appeal to the state official that was organizing the festival by submitting ideas to him and his
committee. The ideas submitted were outlines of main themes and points of interest to be performed in the play. If a playwright was selected by the
state official and his committee, then they received a financial backer and a chance to compete in the drama competition of the festival. The state
official, or his committee, was likely pushing their own agenda and choose playwrights that matched their ideals. This is just one example of how
theater in ancient Greece was used to influence the morality of Greek culture by using the stories of tragedies, like those of Euripides.
The City Dionysia Festival was a celebration of the god Dionysus' arrival in Athens in mythical times and was usually held annually between March
and April. The festival and theater performances were ways of honoring the god Dionysus, who is the god of the grape harvest,

What Is The Consolation Of Loss In A Greek Tragedy
In pieces of classical writing, including Euripides' and Sophokles' Greek tragedies, as well as the more personal, philosophical writings of Seneca,
Cicero, and Plutrach, the consolation of loss is deeply interwoven with myth and drama. The idea of the consolatio focuses on a sense of survival and
endurance of grievers, and the role that friends and loved ones play in this survival through comfort. The underlying theme in these tragedies is that the
feeling is universal, and in no way experienced alone, and this paper will explore this concept beginning with Greek tragedy, focusing on how these
stories can console the reader, and their exploration into the loneliness of grief. To elaborate on the Roman perspective, the techniques of Seneca and
Cicero's writings are shown to reflect and emulate these Greek ideas, demonstrating consolatio through examples of myth and universal truths to reveal
an overall similarly minded approach to consolation in Greece and Rome.
Perhaps understandably, consolatio appears most dramatic in Greek Tragedy– for example, in Euripides Trojan Women, when Hecuba is grieving, it
is evident that she is being validated or given permission to grieve by a woman: "our bitter sorrow,/earth will now receive./ Mourn, O mother"
(Euripides, Trojan Women, 1227–29). Without this confirmation that Hecuba's grief has been recognised, received and permitted, Hecuba has no
reason to stop publicly grieving. It is also significant in that this permission (Euripides, Trojan Women, 1227–29) is given by another woman, who
would have appeared to the Greek audience as someone who could understand Hecuba's grief, given woman's primary role as mother, as this loss also
means a loss of purpose in society. This is further emphasized in The Suppliant Women, wherein the chorus expresses grief through explaining that
they would have grieved had they never married and had children, "But now that my dear son is taken from me/ my suffering is not imaginary; it is
real" (The Suppliant Women, 787–92). These lines reflect the fact that although grieving what has been lost is more powerful than the pain of having
nothing to lose, when these women lose their sons, they are also losing their purpose they once had. This

Greek Tragedies in a Modern World Essay
Greek Tragedies in a Modern World
*Works Cited Not Included
From the times of Aristotle to modern day Boal people have tried to come up with a definition of tragedy that encompasses all of the works they feel
to be tragedies. However, there are always a few exceptions to their rules that make their thesis insubstantial. Those who define tragedies all have
different elements that they say are necessary in classifying something as a tragedy. Unfortunately for us, no one definition has ever been settled upon
that everyone agrees with. The one factor that does seem to be present in every interpretation of what is necessary in a tragedy is the catharsis that is
brought up in the viewer. Without that emotional reaction, whether of pity,... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
By doing this, Racine made Phedre a more pitiable character with whom the audience is more capable of sympathizing. She is seen more as a
incapacitated bystander rather than a ruthless, malicious offender. By reducing her offence to that of allowing Oenone to act, Racine gave the
opportunity to pity Phedre because she was not directly guilty for Hippolytus' death. Doing this enables the audience to look at her internal agony
rather than pass over it because they are repulsed by her actions. He changed Hippolytus' character so that he was actually in love for the first time
with Aricia, rather than feeling nothing for any woman, so the whole element of female jealousy was introduced. By changing the story in these ways
Racine shifts the characters that the audience feels pity for and makes the play easier to relate to. At the end of the play, the audience feels sympathy
for Hippolytus because he is the innocent victim of both a mother's improper lust and a father's quick–tempered stubbornness. For Phedre the audience
feels sympathy for her dilemma; the fact that this all started because of Aphrodite's curse that was not her fault, and the fact that she was tormented by
a love that could never be. They do not, however, pardon her actions, or lack thereof, that are a result of those feelings. For Aricia the audience feels
happy that she got her kingdom back, but they feel bad that she got pulled into all of this. She is very much the innocent

Greek And Greek Mythology : The Tragedy Of Sisyphus
Various myths, prevalent in cultures across the world, have time and again been adopted by scholars to have penetrating and meaningful insights into
the unexplored realms and unveil several mysterious and multi–dimensional facets of human existence. The myth of Sisyphus, being the part of both
Greek and Roman mythologies also happens to be one of such kinds. The myth narrates the tragedy of Sisyphus, the king of Corinth (Ephyra) who was
considered as the craftiest, wisest and most prudent of the mortals in his times. With his swift tricks and enviable cunningness, he managed to seize and
chain even the Hades, god of Death as he came to punish him for certain wrongful acts. His confrontation with gods further aggravated as they
feared of being dispossessed and so, they charged him of the sin of transgression into forbidden territories. He also came in the radar of Zeus's
vengeance for certain offences and especially, when he revealed his secrets and whereabouts as the king of the gods had abducted Aegina, the
daughter of the river god Asopus. As his defiance, hubris and violations demanded a nemesis of equal measure, so, he was hurled into the underworld
by furious and mighty gods where he was compelled to roll a gigantic rock up a steep hill. It was a never–ending and unavailing exertion as the rock
always rolled down before it could be stationed at the top of the hill and the Sisyphus had to start all over again. Furious gods must have chosen this for
some well thought

Ancient Greek Tragedies
"It still hosts plays and events," explained Theokles. "However, the southeast wall provides the best view of the oldest Greek theater below the
Acropolis, the Theater of Dionysius. In fact, the stone seating dating from 330 BCE provided enough room for seventeen thousand people to enjoy
plays such as the ancient Greek tragedies of Euripides and Sophocles. Moreover, the very meaning of tragedy comes from Greek plays. In essence, the
ancient Greeks believed that the fate of mortals was at the mercy of forces beyond their control." Theokles then turned their attention back to the
Parthenon and walked all around it to the back porch. "Once a frieze adorned the upper part of the Parthenon depicting epic battles with justice
triumphing over injustice," Theokles informed them while he wiped off ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Nonetheless, Raphael honors Socrates, Aristotle, and Plato along with other ancient Greek philosophers in his masterpiece Renaissance fresco The
School of Athens. This magnificent mural painting is in the Vatican City and honors the Greek ethos of philosophy as the culmination of human
achievement because it seeks the knowledge of the causes of all things." The voice of the colossus Socrates still echoed in the passageways of the
Ancient Agora, but Surina knew all too well the ramifications of asking too many questions. Theokles continued, "Now we have come to the Stoa of
Attalos built in 150 BCE and reconstructed faithfully in the 1950s of marble and limestone. The stoa has a porch with two rows of columns leading
into shops, functioning initially as an ancient shopping mall and presently as The Museum of the Ancient Agora. This type of public building was
common throughout ancient Greece since it allowed many people to gather in the airiness of the

Examples Of Justifications For Greek Tragedy
Justifications for Greek Tragedy Throughout or greek tragedy, one of the predominant reasons why the tragedy occurs is because of Prince Alazor's
peripeteia. This is because in the beginning of the play, the prince thought he was able to defeat every battle he encountered and thought he was the
best of the best. However, since Prince Alazor does not know that his father, King Ixon, bribes his opponents with money, jewelry, and etc... as the
prince thinks he is the greatest and winning is inevitable, he comes to a thought where he is stronger than god and calls upon a match against the
mighty Zeus. As a result he is defeated and his parents are killed due to his arrogant actions. Additionally, the hardship that is brought to

Sophocles ' Greek Tragedy And The Chorus
Sophocles' Greek tragedy, Oedipus Rex, has a voice beyond the main characters. The chorus plays a major roll in this tragedy. In Greek plays, there
were a select few main characters and the chorus was the rest of the cast. (INSERT). To completely understand the tragedy, it is important for the read
to read the whole play including the chorus. The chorus is valuable to the play with their knowledge and cultural awareness of the time. Not only did
the chorus provide extensive context, but also their other main job was to verbally judge the main character's actions and moral decisions. The chorus
provides the audience with new perspectives on the tragedy and the characters themselves.
In Oedipus Rex, the chorus was composed of Thebans. At the start of the tragedy, the chorus' main job was to provide the audience with the
circumstances that surround the beginning of the play. The chorus provided information about the widespread destruction that has happened to the
protagonist. For Oedipus, he is on a path to self–discovery and the chorus has to constantly remind him to remain calm when tried to find who
murdered Laius. Sophocles' chorus foreshadows and provides the main characters with crucial information that will help in the future. The chorus was
composed of wise, old citizens. The chorus also warns and suggests to the audience what could potentially be happening later in the play. With the
cultural awareness, the chorus demands Oedipus
to not kill Creon. This is extremely

Greek Tragedy
1.Aristotle says there are six parts that must be present in a Greek Tragedy. The first part being plot. The plot of a tragedy is the most important part,
the plot is the main action of the play. The Second is character, the character is the second most important and characters are needed to convey morals
and to stand as figments of the just. The third is thought and that is the timing of what is said and the sense it makes. The fourth is Diction, and diction
is the composition of the sentences used. The fifth and sixth correlate as in they are accessories. Melody is the musical accompaniment along with the
play and spectacle, which is the set–up or staging of the play itself.
2.My definition of tragedy is the mass loss of innocent life. There is a distinct difference between my definition and Aristotle's. Aristotle's is meant to
encompass a heroic feat attempting to create fear and pity.
3. ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Hubris is the belief or idea you're above the fates. Chorus is conventionally a group of actors who are the main commentators on the characters and
events in the play. Catharsis is the release of powerful emotions that make a tragedy moving. Peripeteia is the sudden change of fortune for the main
protagonist. Anagnorisis is the realization where they see their destiny or their own nature more clearly. Harmartia is flaw. Nimesis is a god or
goddess that is portrayed as the punisher for wrongdoing.
4.There are many characteristics the tragic hero needs to possess. The hero must suffer much more than he deserves, another is the hero needs to be
noble by nature, but have enough imperfection so the audience can relate.
5.The purpose of tragedy is intended to inspire admiration for the tragic hero and as a analogy for

Essay on The Role of the Chorus in Ancient Greek Tragedies
The chorus's perspective of justice works differently in Euripides' Medea and Aeschylus' The Libation Bearers. In both The Libation Bearers and
Medea, the driving force of vengeance links the chorus to each of the play's protagonists. For both plays, the choruses begin with a strong support of
their heroes with a belief that the course of action that those characters are pursuing for the sake of avenging the wrongs done to them or their
families is just and right. The chorus of Medea, however, moves away from that original conviction in the moral justification of revenge. Over the
course of The Libation Bearers, the chorus also begins to express doubt in the validity of the true value in the cycle of deaths that the system of revenge
... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The chorus supports Orestes' revenge against his mother Clytemnestra for killing his father primarily because a successful outcome of an action against
Clytemnestra and Aegisthus would eliminate some of their cause for suffering. However, Orestes' revenge against his mother and Aegisthus also meets
the justice of the law of retribution, which the chorus defines: Justice turns the wheel.
'Word for word, curse for curse be born now,' Justice thunders, hungry for retribution,
'stroke for bloody stroke be paid. The one who acts must suffer.' (Libation Bearers 192)
The law of retribution describes true justice as revenge, without very much in the way of logical moderation or consideration. This concept of justice
shows the reasoning of Medea's actions. By this system, the pain that Jason's betrayal gave her necessarily must be repaid by an equal or greater pain
that Medea would inflict on Jason.
The chorus of both The Libation Bearers and Medea experience similar shifts in perspective once their protagonists have properly decided to take
action against those characters who have wronged them in some manner. Directly following the prayers of Orestes and Electra in The Libation
Bearers, the chorus says, "The flesh crawls to hear them pray./ The hour of doom has waited long" (Libation Bearers 197), clearly showing that the
chorus, despite having urged Orestes on in taking

The Mental Impacts Of Greek Tragedies
Tragedies are more than the assiduous production of the fertile Greek intellect since they cross all boundaries, take no prisoners and dig into the human
soul like no other. When we think tragedies we naturally think Greek tragedies, a period in the 5th Century when Greek authors like Aeschylus,
Euripides and Sophocles produced works like The Story of Orestes, Cyclops and Women of Trachis; tragedies that leave us absolutely dumbfounded
and mesmerized.
But Greek tragedies are fiction and however galling do not carry the emotional and mental impact of existential tragedies; especially when God is
involved.
Take the case of this genuine believer, a man of integrity and a sincere commitment to God, a man whom God called on to deliver an important... Show
more content on Helpwriting.net ...
7 The king said to the man of God, 'Come home with me for a meal, and I will give you a gift.'
8 But the man of God answered the king, 'Even if you were to give me half your possessions, I would not go with you, nor would I eat bread or drink
water here. 9 For I was commanded by the word of the LORD: "You must not eat bread or drink water or return by the way you came."' 10 So he took
another road and did not return by the way he had come to Bethel.
11 Now there was a certain old prophet living in Bethel, whose sons came and told him all that the man of God had done there that day. They also
told their father what he had said to the king. 12 Their father asked them, 'Which way did he go?' And his sons showed him which road the man of
God from Judah had taken. 13 So he said to his sons, 'Saddle the donkey for me.' And when they had saddled the donkey for him, he mounted it 14
and rode after the man of God. He found him sitting under an oak tree and asked, 'Are you the man of God who came from Judah?'
'I am,' he replied.
15 So the prophet said to him, 'Come home with me and

Women In Euripides Greek Tragedy, Hippolytus
In Euripides' Greek Tragedy, Hippolytus, he tells the familiar myth of a young man whose stepmother falls in love with him. The female characters of
Euripides are often nuanced with dualistic characterizations. While Euripides may present Phaedra as noble for fighting her lustful urges, he ultimately
exposes her to the same petty nature as the very goddesses who inflict these desires on her. All of the women inHippolytus are viewed Eve–like figures
who lead men astray, despite their intentions.
Greek mythology would have been widely known by Euripides' audience and Phaedra's lineage is no exception. Her mother, Paciphae, had slept with a
bull and bore the Minotaur. The same Minotaur Theseus would slay in the labyrinth. Her mother's monstrous sexual appetite taints Phaedra's family.
Phaedra's sister is also unlucky in romantic affairs as she is married to Dionysius. In other versions of the Phaedra story, such as the Seneca play
Phaedra; this ancestry is the key reason for her unnatural attraction to her stepson. Nevertheless, even though Phaedra's desire is derived from
Aphrodite and she never acts upon it, her characterization is less favorable than the womanizer Theseus. Christian theology often talks of the original
sin in the Garden of Eden. While both Adam and Eve eat of the fruit, it is Eve who offers the temptation to Adam. This... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
In fact, she is prepared to let herself die from starvation to save her reputation. This sacrifice and her resilience make her much more sympathetic
than a character like Potiphar's wife in the book of Genesis. Phaedra's desire to be more is somewhat akin to Hippolytus' fervency towards chastity.
However Phaedra is fighting her very being not to act on her desires, to the point that it is killing her. Hippolytus sticks to his morals with such ease,
highlighting Phaedra's desperate struggle despite her best

Sophocles ' The Classic Greek Tragedy
In the classic Greek tragedy, Antigone, by Sophocles, Creon portrays the characteristics of a tragic protagonist. As a tragic protagonist, Creon is
faced with a very difficult dilemma. He has to choose either to abide by his law and punish Antigone, or to abide by the laws of the gods and forgive
Antigone and let her bury Polynices. His councilors did everything in their power to advice him. However, when he realized the outcome of his
decisions, it was too late. Creon's choices brought him from a respected king, to a fool who lost everything he loved because of Hubris, or in other
words his arrogance. Creon had to make a decision after Antigone was caught red–handed. He had to choose either the between his laws of not burying
Polynices, ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
HAEMON: A one–man state? What sort of state is that? CREON: Why, does not every state belong to its ruler? (146)
During the whole ordeal of choosing the right decision on his dilemma, Creon showed Hubris to whoever he talked to. When he talked to Antigone
he has an excessive amount of pride in not letting her bury the body of Polynices no matter how many time Antigone tried to tell him that she
followed the gods' law, not his. ANTIGONE: Yes. That order did not come from God. Justice, That dwells with the gods below, knows no such law. I
did not think your edicts strong enough To overrule the unwritten unalterable laws Of God and heaven, you being only a man. (138)
However, Creon was to proud to listen to anyone and he believed that his orders were above anything. "CREON: She gloats over her deed. But, as I
live, /She shall not flout my orders with impunity." (139). After Creon has made his decision of denying the right of Antigone to bury the body of
Polynices and sending her away, the blind prophet by the name of Teiresias comes to visit Creon. Teiresias brings news of the gods' view on Creon's
decision. He tells Creon that the gods will bring upon suffering for the horrible acts of letting a human body rot and be eaten by wild creatures,
unblessed by the gods. TEIRESIAS: You shall have given a son of your own loins To death, in payment for death
–two debts to pay: One for the life
that you have sent to

Greek Fate : Fate And Free Will In Greek Tragedies
Fate vs Free Will in Greek Tragedies
Fate and free will played major parts in creating the characters and stories in many of the Greek mythologies and tragedies. The Greeks believes
that the Gods and the Oracle's could predict a person's fate before or after birth, and that no one, even the Gods could intervene in that person's fate.
They also believed that a person's or God could not create their own fate. This belief stems from the three fates: sisters, The Moirai or Fates were
three sister deities, incarnations of destiny and life. Because of these three old women, fate could not be avoided or altered. As such with these stories,
in the Iliad fate leads Achilles down his path of glory and his early demise, and cause Oedipus to sleep with his own mother and kill his father. Free
will is the power of acting without constraint and fate; acting by one's own decisions. Even though Achilleus and Oedipus have fate, they both also
have free will. For instance, Achilles has a double fate: if he goes home, he will live long without glory or if he stays at Troy, he will have lots of glory,
but a short life. As such, in Sophocles Oedipus the King, when Oedipus was born he was fated to kill his father and lay with his mother, thought his
ability of free will caused his fate to come true.
In Oedipus the King, the theme of fate vs free will appears all through the play. Oedipus throughout the play tries to avoid his inevitable fate, which
ironically seems to make his fate come

The Greek Of Greek Tragedy
Luke Allis, Greek Theatre
Ancient Greek tragedy is still relevant today because the themes and issues expressed within it are still present in the 21st century such as undeserved
suffering, death and relationships. The greeks produced many great works of art and theatre as well as revolutionising politics, ethics, aesthetics and
philosophy with philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle and their theories such as their theories on form and Catharsis.
Many people suggest that modern day theatre and performance is derived directly from Ancient Greek Theatre and Myths. Just life we do with
politics, ethics, aesthetics and philosophy look to the greeks as the founders and while it is possible that this is true this itself is also a myth. The
ancient greek empire ended almost 150 years BC, about 2066 years ago. In that time a lot of information regarding it and it's theatre has been lost or
distorted (such as the destruction of The Library Of Alexandria) and thus we can't be certain that the information is 100% correct which means that this
itself is a myth, we have evidence that points towards theatre originating from Ancient Greece but we can't be certain because there is also evidence
pointing toward it originating from various other cultures from around the world such as the Egyptian Coronation Festival Play 3100 BC (History of
theatre timeline, Glencoe.com) or primitive tribal dances and religious rituals dating even earlier than that.
As mentioned previously other

Creon: The Greek Tragedy
Published by Lara–Celeste Scafo // Period One
CREON SUFFERED THE WORST FATE IN ANTIGONE AND HERE'S WHY:
Who had the worst fate in the Greek tragedy, Creon, or Antigone? Some might say the story's protagonist Antigone, with her fiery personality and
righteously stubborn nature, landing `her hanging in a tomb. But they're wrong. The character who was dealt the worst hand by the author is the
antagonist Creon, her uncle, and the king of Thebes.
Creon is an ever loyal subject to Thebes. He, like any good king wants to do right by his people; so his first act as king– though is questionable when
looked at from a religious standpoint –enacts a strict law that states no one shall bury the body of the treacherous Polyneices. But his niece, Antigone,

Cassandra In Greek Tragedy
In Greek tragedy, the fate of man is most often predetermined. No matter how hard a person of the ancient world tried to escape their destiny, if the
gods decided otherwise, they were helpless to deviate far from the path that they were set to travel. Through a mere captivating 350 lines in Aeschylus'
tragedy, The Oresteia; Cassandra uses her plight to bring light to the horrors of the house of Atreus, prepare others for the inevitable, and eventually
empower herself.
In the first play of The Oresteia trilogy, Agamemnon, Cassandra is introduced as Agamemnon's, the king of Argos, spear captive. Cassandra who was
taken from her home is, "daughter of Priam and Hecuba, King and Queen of Troy at the time of the Trojan War" (Euripides). In addition ... Show more
content on Helpwriting.net ...
[Clytemnestra] her glittering words of welcome– No, he cannot see the stroke that Fury's hiding, stealth, and murder. What outrage– the woman kills
the man" (Agamemnon 1.1.1235–40). In revealing this knowledge, she wants to prepare the city for what has to happen. Up until this point,
Cassandra has been building trust with the chorus and their leader by recounting the, "ancient crimes that live within this house" (Agamemnon
1.1.1201). She has proven to be more than, "a fraud, a fortune teller babbling lies." (Agamemnon 1.1.1200) However, with this news Cassandra is
once again dismissed, the news being too much to handle. Cassandra sees all of the facets that have bred the desire to murder Agamemnon.
Agamemnon's cousin Aegisthus being the only one of his murdered siblings left with a desire to avenge his father and siblings. Additionally,
Agamemnon's decision to sacrifice his daughter Iphigeneia to claim a victory of Troy, "by obliterating Troy, destroys his own perception" ultimately
sealing his fate. Cassandra knows that her fate is intertwined with the members of Agamemnon's household. Everything that she is shown by Apollo
and the Furies must come to pass. As if not being believed when given the gift of prophecy was not enough, Apollo added another cruel clause to
Cassandra's curse, "if anyone did say he believed her; it would be a sign that she was about to suffer a violent death" (Aeschylus 302). Apollo shows
Cassandra her own death by Clytemnestra's hand, "His fire! Apollo Lord of the Light, you burn, ... She is the lioness... she rears on her hind legs...she
will kill me" (Agamemnon

Features Of Greek Tragedy
It has been known for a long time that Ancient tragedy, more often called Greek tragedy is one of the types of more wider species called drama. So
Greek tragedy is a drama work in which main action focuses on a conflict between individual who often makes a lot of mistakes even foolish against a
fate or doom and in such struggle individual is always at the loss and his defeat is inevitable, even if he goes far beyond his averages.
Although people know pretty much about ancient tragedy, its gene is still debated amongst the scientists. Some people think of that all this started in
Athens and is "linked to the earlier art form, the lyrical performance of epic poety" (Mark Cartwright). Whereas the others suggest that the source must
have been connected with rites and ceremonies making to worship God Dionizos. To be more ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Yes, in Greek tragedy there is a numerous features that have to be strictly used in plays. One of such features are classical unities, often called
Aristotelian unities due to fact that they are derived from Aristotle work called "Poetics". Classical unities consists of time, place and action. More
accurately, time deals with the plot which has to last twenty four hours from dawn to the evening, place states that all the goings–on took place in
specified spot. Yet there is an action which has to be continuous, uninterrupted and all the characters are somehow connected with the main plot.
Another principle is the decorum which was also formulated by Aristotle, it states that contents have to be compatible with its form. Next feature on
our list is catharsis. It is a concept known by many and it relies on the fact that the recipient gets through the process of emotional purification. It all
starts from the seeing the person in a pity and fearful state but due to catharsis the character begins to understand the fate and he, in the final step
agrees with it. Sequential principle is a tragic

Analyse the Dramatic Uses of the Chorus in Greek Tragedy;...
The full influence of Greek tragedy upon our modern theatre is incomprehensible, with the mainstays of theatrical convention largely demonstrating
roots within Greek tragedy. The choric function is just one of these conventions. This essay hopes to explore various uses of the Chorus within Greek
tragedies by Aeschylus and Sophocles, and then to analyse how traits of a Greek Chorus, and the choric function can be found within 20th Century
Theatre. The Chorus in Greek tragedy was a large group (it is suggested between 12 and 30) of people who sang or chanted songs and poems that
helped set the scene of the play, bring the audience up to date with the events preceding the play and inform the audience of any political or social
consequences ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
They explain, В‘Fear's a good gateman to stand guard of the passions' (page 100).
For Sophocles the Chorus has yet again a more reduced role, as more actors are introduced into his plays. The focus yet again turns towards dialogue
between characters, and away from interaction purely between actor and Chorus. The Sophoclean Chorus is not emotionally separate from the action,
it is involved emotively with the story being portrayed, and can show sympathy (and in contrast, hatred) towards the events on the stage. In Sophocles'
Oedipus the King the Chorus function as witnesses to the downfall of Oedipus from proud monarch to blind, helpless man. The Chorus' first speech to
Oedipus describes the plague that has infected the city. As Oedipus insists he wants to find the murderer of Laius, the Chorus suggest that he ask
Teiresias (page 194). The Chorus here prompts the actor to step further towards his impending fate. The Chorus also prove to be a calming influence,
trying to mediate between Teiresias, Oedipus, Creon and Jocasta at various points within the play. They also are still optimistic when the truth is nearly
out, telling Oedipus to, В‘hope, until you hear from the man who saw what happened' (page 216). The Chorus within

Tragedy In Greek Tragedy
According to many scholars, there is very little biographical information that can be relied upon for Greeks of the fifth century BCE. (Mastronarde)
We don't know much about Euripides and his specific life, but we do know a bit about his works and how they came to be. Medea, which happens
to be the first play in a tetralogy, is about a passionate rejected wife whose world gets filled with vengeance and justice for her well being. She is
willing to do everything in her power to bring pain to her mortal enemies, but must importantly her ex–husband Jason. Greek tragedy in general usually
follows the classical unities mentioned in Aristotle's poetics: unity of action, unity of time, and unity of place. Even today, there are many
contemporary plays that follows these rules, and that is why I think Greek tragedies have held their own with the passing of time. Epidaurus is not the
oldest Greek theatre site, but it is one of the best preserved and best proportioned of the theatres today. It supplies a good example to the public of
what a Greek performance space should be. Because of the acoustics and the overall shape of the theatre the audience was not only very aware of
the actors, but also of themselves and their reactions. On top of that the performances took place duringvenge r faces t also of thf three parts ware of
everyone'of her plans to kill her children as revenge r faces t also of thduring broad daylight, so in consequence not only could you hear others but also
see

Greek Tragedies: The Peloponnesian War
A Greek tragedy was a drama addressing serious themes such as love, betrayal, war, and hatred. Greek tragedies often centered around a tragic hero.
Each Greek hero was gifted with intelligence, wit, and strength, but cursed with a tragic flaw. Many Greek heroes inherited the flaw of hubris,
excessive pride. The Peloponnesian War, a war that spanned twenty seven years between the Spartans and Athenians, pertains to the concept of hubris
because of how the Athenians and Spartans responded to their shared hostility, and the actions of the Athenians after the truce in 421 BC. The
Peloponnesian War began in 431 BC between the Spartans and Athenians. The war was instigated by how Athens was gaining power, wealth, and
prestige. The surrounding polishes became hostile and malicious towards Athens, Sparta included. Instead of pursuing an end to the hostility and
conflict through diplomatic means, the leaders of Athens and Sparta both were for the beginning of a war. Each polis believed they had the upper
hand and superior strategy and military. In time, war was declared between the two polises. The... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
After 431 BC, the Spartans advanced into the domain of Athens and destroyed the Athenians food supply. The Athenians were forced to withdraw into
their city. There, the Athenians continued to combat the Spartans even after a plague decimated thirty three percent of the population. Finally, in 421
BC, both sides were exhausted from the war and signed a truce. Afterwards, the Athenians, acting pridefully, could not accept neither defeating or
conquering the Spartans, and sent 20,000 men to the island of Sicily in 415 BC. Athenians held excessive pride in the navy they believed was
"invincible", and underestimated the Spartans. Ultimately, the Spartans dominated in the battle, and destroyed the Athenians fleet. As a result of
hubris, the Athenian navy was destroyed in 421

Agamemnon's Pride: A Greek Tragedy
In "Agamemnon", a Greek tragedy, it focuses on Clytemnestra's plot to murder her husband, Agamemnon. This greek tragedy portrays Agamemnon as
a pious leader. However,
Agamemnon's pride ultimately led to his downfall.
When Agamemnon returned home triumphant after ten long years at war, he is blinded by pride, because Clytemnestra his wife was suspiciously happy
to see him.
This sense of pride causes him not to remember that he had their daughter sacrificed to the gods. Everyone knew that she had been angry and
unfaithful to him, because of the sacrifice, but nobody wanted to tell him because they feared the wrath of his pride. Agamemnon's pride ultimately led
to his downfall, because it blinded him to the fact that his wife was planning

The Impact Of Ancient Greek Theater And Tragedy
Michimasa Kamata
HUM 101–007
3/17/16
The Impact of Ancient Greek Theater and Tragedy Ancient Greek culture has influenced our modern culture in many ways from philosophy to
medicine to government. We still use many of their concepts, technology, and even alphabet system. Without ancient Greece, our modern world would
not have advanced as far. A significant contribution of the ancient Greek culture to the world today is the Greek theater, more specifically the structure
of tragedy. Some contributions are the structure of tragedy in modern literature, rise of opera, and the creation of the theater. Greek drama originally
started out as a ritual to honor the god of wine, Dionysus, by the cult of Dionysus. In the ritual, drunk men dressed up in goat–skin would sing and have
dialogue in chorus to welcome the leader, the person acting as Dionysus (Sayre 151). In these revel–filled festivals, men dressed as satyrs, companions
of Dionysus who are half–man and half–goat, while the women dressed up as maenads, the immortal followers of Dionysus. As the participants
become drunk and filled with ecstasy, they "transform" into a different identity from before. Later on this behavior became the satyr play, a form of
Greek drama. Tragedy is said to be originated from the Dionysian rites, where the name comes from tragoidos, which means the "goat song" from the
satyrs – companions of Dionysus who are half–man and half–goat. This could be in reference to the fact that Dionysus was also the

Beowulf Hubris . The Greek Tragedy, Established In 500
Beowulf Hubris
The Greek tragedy, established in 500 B.C., creates the era of the tragic hero. A tragedy is defined as a branch of drama that dignifies sorrowful or
terrible events caused by a hero, thus tragic hero. Beowulf perfectly exemplifies the Greek Tragedy, highlighting the main character ,Beowulf, through
his journey and arrogance at which shake the core of the plot. While Beowulf's depiction shows a man that never says no and takes on any challenge, in
between the lines identification of the hero 's true colors shine through. Throughout literature tragic heros all go through the same pattern; A journey, a
roadblock, a distraction, a downfall, and a death. Without this pattern the words tragedy and tragic hero would cease to ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
Nor is it necessarily a weakness. The flaw, or crack in the characters, is really nothing–and need be nothing, but his inherent unwillingness to remain
passive in the face of what he conceives to be a challenge to his dignity, his image of his rightful status. Only the passive, only those who accept their
lot without active retaliation, are "flawless." Most of us are in that category. (Miller 1)
The hero must be provided with a great amount of power to be put into consideration for a tragic hero, and like miller explains not remaining passive
to the challenges leading forward then create a hero 's determination. In brief, the start of Beowulf 's downfall begins with his pedestal of power and
his ignorance to how much this power is overcoming. Emphasised immensely in Beowulf, the undenying presence of power within Beowulf. Directly
correlates with the assertiveness and determination within. From early on Beowulf creates the mindset of winning and looking at nothing but the
finish line. Beowulf now sees himself in the same way everyone else sees him;
They have seen my strength for themselves,/ Have watched me rise from the darkness of war,/ Dripping with my enemies ' blood. I drove/ Five great
giants into chains, chased/ All of that race from the earth. I swam/ In the blackness of night, hunting

Ancient Greek Tragedies
The late Jim Valvano, a legendary North Carolina State basketball coach once said, "If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a
heck of a day." Ancient Greece believed in a similar philosophy during the festival of Dionysia; however, they stretched it out to a whole five days.
While they had many tragedy performances during the week that would make the audience think and cry, they also had satyr and comedies to make
them laugh. While satyrs and comedies both were written to make audiences laugh, they had a very different purpose. Satyr plays, like tragedies,
would be performed in a set of four plays, while Comedies were given a whole day to themselves on the fourth day. Satyr plays like Euripides' The
Cyclops and ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
An example of the type of humor used in The Frogs is on page 33 between Dionysus and the Corpse. Dionysus says, "Hold on there, fella, maybe we
can work something out." The corpse replies, "Put down two drachmas then, or else shut up." Dionysus says, "Here's one and a half." The Corpse
responds, "I'd sooner liver again!" (pg. 33, lines 175–178). The humor in Greek comedies has a much more "set up and punchline" type of feel.
Satyrs on the other hand have humor that is much subtler yet, equally as hilarious. Probably the funniest moment in The Cyclops is when the Cyclops
is trying to tell the Chorus Leader who blinded him. "Nobody wounded me," the Cyclops says. "Then you're not hurt," says the Chorus Leader. The
Cyclops responds, "Nobody blinded me." The Chorus Leader says, "Then you're not blind" (pg. 213, lines 671–674). Of course, since Odysseus told the
Cyclops his name was Nobody, the Chorus Leader was very confused.
Personally, I preferred the satyr plays, The Cyclops and Trackers, over thecomedy, The Frogs. I enjoyed the length and language more in the satyr
plays. They still felt like I was reading a tragedy, except with comedic aspects. Both genres were funny and enjoyable; however, the satyr plays were
my favorite of the

Things fall Apart and Okonkwo; A Classic Greek Tragedy and...
Things Fall Apart and Okonkwo; A Classic Greek Tragedy and Tragic Hero
Both the novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, and its main character Okonkwo closely adhere to the definitions of a classic Greek tragedy
and a typical tragic hero. First of all, Okonkwo is a tragic hero by the Greek definition. While Okonkwo wasn't born to a nobleman or king (as the
definition of a tragic hero states), he was a man of high status and respect in his community, as Obierika stated near the end of the book. "That man
was one of the greatest men in Umuofia." (Achebe 208). Second, the novel follows the format of a Greek tragedy by presenting Okonkwo as a mixed
character. He was a mixed character in that he was neither thoroughly good nor thoroughly ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Okonkwo knew how to kill a man's spirit." (26). His dismissiveness towards this man is just one example of his hubris. The next part of a Greek
tragedy, is the tragic hero's moment of recognition of "the truth of his situation and/or of his identity." Okonkwo's moment of recognition came when
he realized that his people weren't going to fight back against the white men and their religion. The arrival of these foreigners and their strange
religion had brought the death of his clan and way of life with them. "Okonkwo was deeply grieved. And it was not just a personal grief. He mourned
for the clan, which he saw breaking up and falling apart, and he mourned for the warlike men of Umuofia, who had so unaccountably become soft like
women." (183). At this point in the story of Okonkwo, he realizes the grim truth about the fate of his culture and people. Finally,Things Fall Apart, the
story of Okonkwo, adheres to the model of a classic Greek tragedy in that it has a final katharsis, or "tragic representation of suffering and defeat that
leaves an audience feeling, not depressed, but relieved and even elevated," (Greek tragedy and tragic hero explanation sheet). Things Fall Apart's
katharsis, or emotional relief came when Okonkwo killed himself. Although such an event may seem like something that would make the reader feel
defeated and depressed, it was through his suicide that Okonkwo made one final protest or stand against the white man. His suicide also allowed him

Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman as Classic Greek Tragedy
Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman as Classic Greek Tragedy
Miller's Death of a Salesman is an interesting and complex play set at a time of great change in America. Some people believe that it is one of a few
classic tragedies written in modern time. While on the surface this play and characters don't appear to hold the definition of tragedy that Aristotle
described. In a modern context I believe it may be very close to fitting that mold.
Willy is a person that has always been a dreamer. Willy is very proud and self reliant in his approach to life. So much so, that his attitude contributes
to his overall downfall. Willy's character lives during a time of great change in America. Willy's job along with the Americanway of life ... Show more
content on Helpwriting.net ...
Willy's downfall, in my opinion, started at some point earlier in his life. Willy at one point reflects on his affair with the "other woman". The peak of
his fall is at the time his son Biff comes to meet him in Boston after failing math. While there has always been some strain on Willy for his cheating
on his wife it came to a head when he was caught by Biff in the hotel room with the other woman. Biff was crushed evidenced by his emotion state,
crying and sitting on the suitcase. Biff tells his father he's "just a liar" and directly disobeying his fathers request for help in packing.
Biff's statement to his father concerning the fact that Willy gave away his mothers silk stockings haunts Willy for the remainder of his life. Several
times in later life Willy is upset when Linda is seen darning or repairing her stockings. The fact that Willy also wants to ignore his part in his
cheating having any effect on Biff's loss of direction and confidence also is a recurring situation for Willy. Willy continually has to remind Biff that
it's not his fault that Biff is a bum and has no direction. It's almost as if Willy is trying to convince himself that he isn't at fault and if he says it enough
it will somehow come true.
Throughout the play Willy has had to maintain to everyone else, the level of his importance. Willy continually states how all the buyers' line up to see
him and how everyone knows him

Greek Tragedy
Tragedy is a form of drama based on human suffering that invokes in its audience an accompanying catharsis or pleasure while viewing it. Though
many cultures have developed forms that provoke this paradoxical response, the term tragedy often refers to a specific tradition of drama that has
played a unique and important role historically in the self–definition of Western civilization. As this tradition has been multiple and discontinuous, yet
the term has often been used to invoke a powerful effect of cultural identity and historical continuity.
'Tragedy' is the term applied to dramatic representations of serious and important actions which eventuate in a disastrous conclusion for the protagonist
or the chief character. More precise and detailed discussions of the tragic form properly begin with Aristotle's (384– 322 BC ) classic analysis in his ...
Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The king, the wearer of the garland of Maragos flowers without any enquiry, orders his guards,
"now, if you find the anklet of my consort resembling the flower– garland in the possession of an expert thief, kill him and bring the ornament here"5
The guards implicitly carry out the order of the king. Among them, one unlettered person in a fit of drunkenness, hurl his well–polished sword from his
head upon Kovalan and cut him across. The blood gushes forth from the wound and spreads over the mother earth, and Kovalan falls immediately on
the land. When Kannaki hears the circumstances under which her husband has been killed. She rushes furiously to her husband's murdered place. The
fair woman flattens on the ground, sobs and wails and clasps his mortal form and departs surrounded by a host of gods, says as he leaves, "O dear,
stay, stay here"6
In fact, Kovalan is naturally good. Saint Ilango Adigal says these words by his one of his characters Gaundi Adigal, a Jaina nun. She articulates,
"yimmai cheithana yaanari nal vinai
Ummai payanko loru tani

Taking A Look At Greek Tragedies

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Taking A Look At Greek Tragedies