lesson 23- Comparing Greek tragedies (Oedipus the King and Bacchae)

Question 1

When was Oedipus the king first performed?

Answer 1

At the City Dionysia festival in 427 BC

Question 2

when was the Bacchae performed?

Answer 2

At the city Dionysia in 405 BC

Question 3

what did Oedipus the king vs the bacchae win at the city dionysia festival?

Answer 3

Oedipus the king won second place to Aeschylus’ nephew, Philocles whilst the Bacchae won first place in 405 BC

Question 4

Although Aristotle never claims that Oedipus the king is his ‘favourite’ play, he does cite it as what?

Answer 4

As an example of a very successful play with key elements that make it incredibly successful, such as catharsis and Hamartia

Question 5

What are the elements that make a tragedy so successful according to Aristotle?

Answer 5

1. Catharsis (purification/cleansing)- Aristotle hoped that by watching tragedy, spectators would receive a catharsis from their fear and pity
2. The tragic hero should not be morally perfect, but nor should he be entirely despicable
3. Hamartia (mistake/flaw)- the tragic hero must be someone of high status who makes a serious mistake which has terrible consequences
4. The plot, argues Aristotle, should be a single plot line that is complex. It should contain three elements; suffering, anagnorisis (recognition/ realisation) and peripeteia (reversal of fortune)