Paper One: GREEK THEATRE

This narrative paper should articulate your thoughtful reflection on topics discussed in chapter 2 of Living Theatre, and
the play Oedipus and should not be merely a list of responses to the questions listed below. Use the bulleted questions
to guide your reflection and make sure you address the ideas in each question. Students with more insightful comments
will earn higher grades.
Points: 100
First, select TWO Chapter 2 questions from the bulleted list below to develop in your discussion paper (each bullet
represents one topic): (Both the textbook and one credible source beyond the course material must be used in the
response.) (35% per question)
What was the relationship between theatre and religion in classical Greece? Is there a relationship today
between drama and religion? Please explain.
What did Greek theatres look like in classical Greece? How did this change in the Hellenistic period? How do
these spaces compare to your high school auditorium?
What stage machinery was used in classical Greece? Are there parallels in todays theatre?
What was the function of masks in Greek theatre? How might this have affected the acting style? Are masks
used in our culture? If so, provide specific examples.
What did costumes look like in the Greek theatre? How do scholars know this? How does this approach to
costuming compare to costumes used today in entertainment (theatre, movies and TV)?
What was the social position of actors in the Hellenistic period? Compare that to actors today.
Second, select ONE question on Oedipus from the bulleted list below to develop in your discussion paper (each bullet
represents one topic): (30%)
Compare and contrast Tiresius and Oedipus using lines from the play to develop your conclusions. Additionally,
who would you cast in these two roles? You may select any actor living or dead. Be sure to justify your choices
for these actors based on your understanding of the characters and the abilities of the actors.
Theme can be defined as the universal message within a play its a message that goes beyond the specific
world of the play. Using this definition, what is a possible theme for Oedipus? (Please use your own ideas,
versus those found in any sources.) Explain how the play supports this theme and discuss how this play speaks
to an audience 2,500 years after it was written.
Compare and contrast Oedipus and Creon using lines from the play to develop your conclusions. Additionally,
discuss which of these characters appear to have a more democratic leadership style, justifying your response.
(Creon will become King and this play demonstrates elements of how he will rule.)
Oedipuss greatest flaw is also his greatest strength. Identify what you think his tragic flaw is and discuss how it
both works for and against him.
Oedipus blames Apollo for bringing his sorrow to completion, but claims that the act of putting his eyes out was
his own. Certainly, there is a sense that Oedipus does not deserve his fate, but what, then, is he responsible for,
and what does the audience learn from the experience of the play?
See schedule for due date
Directions for Submissions:
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This assignment is located in Act 2, Scene 1 in the Modules in Canvas. Its in both the first document in that
scene and listed separately within the scene and can be submitted through either location.
All submissions are to be word-processed using Microsoft Word and double-spaced.
In addition to the textbook and the play which must be used in your responses - use at least one
additional credible written source (versus a graphic) BEYOND other course materials (course materials

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include items found in the Acts in Canvas and the plays), in the development of your response to the
two questions in the First section. An additional graphic or media link may also be used and included in
the discussion but the required source must be written (NO WIKIPEDIA or student study guides such as
Spark Notes or CliffsNotes) The credible source used must enhance the information found in the text book
by providing information NOT found in the required course reading material. When citing sources, you
need to use both in-text citations and a Works Cited using MLA format. (See points 9 ad 10 below.)
Students should create submissions as if they were printing them and handing them in during a face-to-face
class. Your name should be on the paper and margins should not be wider than 1" on each side.
Font size should be 11 - 12, and use a sans serif style (Calibri, Ariel, etc.)
College grammar, spelling and content is expected and the paper will be graded accordingly. Students who
do not use paragraphing will have their papers returned. The Writing Center can assist you in making sure
you are communicating clearly.
All papers should be a minimum of 800 words (exclusive of name, date, title and Works Cited).
Name the file with your last name and the name of the assignment: EX: Smith_Greek Theatre.
As you will be relying on the text book, the play and one additional credible source for information, you
must cite them in-text including the text book, at the point you use the information from that source,
using the MLA 2009 or 2016 editions to format all citations.
Please include a Works Cited page with your submission. (NO WIKIPEDIA or student supplements such as
SparkNotes ) See Writing Assistance in Modules for a copy of the MLA 2009 handout used by our Writing
Center. However, if using a website, do include the full URL in the citation (which is not part of either MLA
formats). Not citing sources in-text at the point you use the information gained from that source, is
plagiarism and will result in failure with documentation of the misconduct sent to the deans office.
Papers should be submitted by attachment in Canvas Modules, Act 2, scene 1: GREEK THEATRE PAPER
No late papers will be accepted, the assignment tool will close on the due date and time.

Plagiarism will result in failure, review the definition of it provided in the syllabus and take the quiz located on the
toolbar on the left to review your knowledge on the topic. See schedule for due dates