Theban Plays - Sophocles Flashcards
What are the two plays we focus on called
King Oedipus and Antigone
Who wrote the Theban plays
Sophocles
What was the main oracle
Laius, King of Thebes, was warned by an oracle that his newborn son would grow up to kill his father and marry his mother
How did Laius and Jocasta react to the oracle about their newborn son Oedipus
bound his feet and had the child taken to the mountains to be left to die
How was Oedipus rescued when he was left on the mountain
He was found by a shepard and given to the childless king and queen of Corinth, Polybus and Merope, who named him Oedipus (swollen foot) and brought him up as their own child
What did Oedipus do when he found out about his oracle
he never knew he was adopted, so when he found out it was prophesied he would kill his father and marry his mother he decided to leave Corinth.
What did Oedipus first do when he left Corinth
he turned towards Thebes, where he encountered a chariot being driven recklessly on the path, which angered Oedipus. He brawled with the passenger and driver. He killed the men thinking they were robbers, but one of the servants managed to escape to report the incident back in Thebes
When Oedipus arrived in Thebes lonely and homeless, who did he discover was in control
A terrible monster called the Sphinx
What did the Sphix expect all passing travellers to do before she would let them continue, and how did Oedipus deal with this
Answer a riddle, Oedipus answered it, and defeated, the Sphinx killed herself.
What was the Thebans reaction to Oedipus getting rid of the monster
They rewarded him by allowing him to marry the newly widowed queen and becoming their new king
How many children did Oedipus and Jocasta have together
4
After some time of Oedipus and Jocasta’s life together, what happened in Thebes
a terrible plague affected their land. An oracle declared that Laius’ murderer must be punished before the plague would pass
What was Oedipus’ biggest realisation in the King Oedipus play, and how did both he and Jocasta react
That he had killed his real father Laius. Jocasta realised the oracle had come true, and was so distraught about her life with Oedipus that she hanged herself. Oedipus couldn’t face his children and so blinded himself and went into exile. He wandered for many years accompanied by his youngest child Antigone.
what is divination
being able to tell the future
What is the Pythian house of Apollo
temple of apollo at Delphi, where the oracle is
who is Apollo
aka Phoebus or Loxias, the God of prophecy
who is the vial enchantress also known as
the sphinx
At what occasion was all drama performed
During a festival. The festival of Dionysus was a religious event, held in March.
What comments can be made about the actors of these plays
The actors were all male and female parts were played by teenage boys. They needed voice projection skills to be heard in the theatre. The only women who appeared on stage would’ve been prostitutes, nude or scantily dressed with no speaking or dancing
Who are the chorus in our trilogy and how many were there
A group of Theban male elders. They are narrators and commented on the action. Sophocles had 15 in his chorus
What was the purpose of a tragic play
Exploring the nature of the relationship between the Gods and man. In other words, what part did the gods play in human lives?
Who are the main characters in King Oedipus
Oedipus, Creon, Jocasta, Chorus, Teiresias
Describe who Oedipus is
The son of Laius and Jocasta, but believes he was adopted by the King and Queen of Corinth. Later becomes the husband of Jocasta and has children with her, before they find out all about this
Describe who Creon is
Brother in law/uncle of Oedipus, Jocastas brother, future King of Thebes after Oedipus’ downfall
Describe who Jocasta is
Mother/wife of Oedipus who killed herself when she found out she had married her son
Describe who the chorus is
A group of Theban elders, acting as commentators and representing the people of Thebes
Describe who Teiresias is
A blind seer, who knew the truth about Oedipus, but didn’t want to be the bearer of bad news
What are the four key things every tragic hero must have
a fatal flaw, always of high birth, his fall is even more exaggerated because he/she starts so high, his tragic ending is inevitable
what is Oedipus’ harmatia (fatal flaw)
He actually has two: hubris (excessive pride). greeks believed in “moderation in all things” and Oedipus has extreme pride, arrogance and raises himself up to the level of the gods
sacrilege - disrespecting the power of the gods
what are the themes in King Oedipus
the will of the gods (oracles, prophesies) - Apollo, the role of fate, free will vs self will, importance of family/family loyalty
what is dramatic irony
a situation in a play which is understood by the audience, but not all the characters
