Melody 3

MELODY (MELOS)

Aristotle’s Poetics & Oedipus Rex Helen Xu Sally Kim Sarada Bhagavatula Christina Collens Evan Gaensbauer Block: F

Melody is the fifth principle in Aristotle’s Poetics and functions as the musical element of the chorus. In his analysis of the tragedy, he states that the Chorus should be fully integrated in to the play like an actor. Their odes should not be “mere interludes” but should contribute to the unity of the plot.

-“I” and “We”Quotes: Chorus—“Why has the Queen, sir, left us in such deep passion? I fear some wile catastrophe will out From what she dare not tell” (55) Chorus– “Already we have wept enough for the things we have known, The things we have seen. What more will your story add?” (60)

àChoragos = a representative or member of the Chorus who

-Major Components of the Greek Theatre Stage-

-ParadosQuote: Chorus—“In Thebes, City of Light, form the Pythian House of Gold The gracious voice of heaven is heard With fear my hear is riven, fear of what shall be told. O Healer of Delos, hear! Fear is upon us. What wilt thou do? /…./ To slay the Death-god, the grim enemy, God whom will other gods abhor to see” (30-31) Anapaests = a marching rhythm of four feet per line. In a meter, there are

….Then four odes are followed. Ode 1 on page 39, starting with “From the Delphian rock the heavenly voice denounces …” and ending with “To think him other than good.” Ode 2 on page 49, after Jocasta goes to fetch the shepherd. Ode 3 on page 56, after Oedipus says, “Born thus, I ask to be no other man / Than that I am, and will know what I am.”

Dithyramb = a choral hymn sung in ancient Athens in honour of the god Dionysus. Stasimon = formal odes (lyric songs) after the parados  

Stasima = lyric odes sung, along with dance, by chorus without the presence of actors.

-ExodosQuote: Chorus—“Behold, what a full tide of misfortune swept over [Oedipus’] head. Then learn that mortal man must always look to his ending, And none can be called happy until that day when he

Strophe = a “turning” – in other words, a stanza in which the Chorus moves in one direction, toward the alter Antistrophe = the following stanza in which the Chorus moves in the opposite direction

-KommosQuote: Chorus— “There were rumours, of course; but mostly old wives’ tales. Oedipus– Rumours? What rumours? I must hear them all. Chorus– He was said to have been killed by travellers on the road. Oedipus– So I have heard. But where are the witnesses? Chorus– He’d be a bold man, sir, that would pay no heed

In Conclusion… Aristotle

Sophocles

BIBLIOGRAPHY •BOOKS: "Oedipus." Merriam Webster's Encyclopedia of Literature. United States of America: Merriam Webster, 2005.   Bellinger, Martha F. A Short History of the Drama. New York, United States of America: Henry Holt and Company, 1927.   Gassner, John, and Edward Quinn. "Chorus." The Reader's Encyclopedia of World Drama. New York, Unites States of America: A Cromwell Reference Book, 1969.   Gassner, John, and Edward Quinn. "Oedipus Tyrannus." The Reader's Encyclopedia of World Drama. New York: A Cromwell Reference Book, 1969.   Sophocles. The Theban Plays. London, England: Penguin Books, 1947.   Vaughn, Jack A. Drama A to Z: A Handbook. New York, Unites States of America: Frederick Ungar Publishing.co, 1978.   WEBSITES   Karayannakos, Elias. The Origin of the Theatre. 1 Dec. 2007. 21 Oct. 2008 http://www.greektheatre.gr/actors.html.   McManus, Barbara F. "Outline of Aristotle's Theory of Tragedy." Nov. 1999 http://www.cnr.edu/home/bmcmanus/poetics.html.   Porter, John. "Glossary of Terms Associated with the Greek Stage." Home Page of John R. Porter--Director of Classical, Medieval, and Renaissance Studies 23 Apr. 2007 http://homepage.usask.ca/~jrp638/CourseNotes/Glossary.html#stasimon.   Siegel, Janice. Dr. J's Illustrated Greek Theater. 11 Nov. 2006. 21 Oct. 2008 http://people.hsc.edu/drjclassics/lectures/theater/ancient_greek_theater.shtm.

THE END