February 14th

Introduction to Greek Theater:

Greek Theater
Sophocles and Oedipus 

Small group discussion-  Oedipus Rex Parados Annotation/Analysis Exercise

As you discuss the following questions, take effective notes on the concepts discussed. 

Remember the 4 expectations of group work: 1. Everyone participates productively 2. Address the assignment, only  3. Each individual is responsible for the material covered during group discussion. 4. Think of Mrs. Cole's  rationale for doing this assignment... and also doing it in this format. 

Parode/Parados (Entrance Ode): The entry chant of the chorus, often in an anapestic (short-short-long) marching rhythm (four feet per line). Generally, they remain on stage throughout the remainder of the play. Although they wear masks, their dancing is expressive, as conveyed by the hands, arms and body. Typically the parode and other choral odes involve the following parts, repeated in order several times:

1. Strophê (Turn): A stanza in which the chorus moves in one direction (toward the altar). Expresses a complete thought. Travels East to West. 
2. Antistrophê (Counter-Turn): The following stanza, in which it moves in the opposite direction. The antistrophe is in the same meter as the strophe. Another complete thought. Chorus travels West to East. 
3. Epode (After-Song): The epode is in a different, but related, meter to the strophe and antistrophe, and is chanted by the chorus standing still. The epode is often omitted, so there may be a series of strophe-antistrophe pairs without intervening epodes.

Parados

Summarize Strophe 1,2,3 and Antistrophe 1,2,3.

Strophes and Antistrophes are used to pose questions, problems, solutions and consequences that must be considered by the people/characters/audience.

1.  What problems are presented?

2.  How do the strophes and antistrophes affect the setting or atmosphere?

3.  Who are the people calling on to solve their problems?

4.  Why is it important that Oedipus walks in during Antistrophe 3?

5. What literary devices are being employed in the Parados? How are they being used?

Use the following questions to help guide your examination and analysis of the Parados... you will soon need to be able to do this independently. 

1. What roles do the Gods play in the Parados/Stasimon? 
2. In what ways is it responding to what has just happened in the previous episode? 
3. How are the needs of the chorus members/citizens different from the characters in the episode
4. What figurative language is being used and how? Metaphor? Similes? Personification?
5. What is the Parados/Stasimon's major theme and/or argument? 
6. What other literary elements do you see and how are they being used? 
7.  Structure: Can you determine the strophe? antistrophe? epode? Remember the concept of the sonnet? The quatrains/sestets/couplets? They derive from the Greek Chorus. Not only does the structure get fragmented, you will see the meaning shift. 

Now that we know that Oedipus killed Laius before the play begins, I want you to look back at the prologue and, in your notes, put examples of IRONY... Verbal, Situational, and Dramatic.

FOR FRIDAY:
Make sure that you are read up to lines 575 for Friday.