February 12th

Field Trip Announcements:
1. Be to the west doors (by Guidance) by 8:40 AM. The bus leaves at 8:45.
2. Bring money for lunch.
3. Alert your teachers to your absence on Tuesday.
4. Dress for the theater.

Today in class: 
1. We have read the opening episode of Oedipus Rex. Once again, we begin with the plague and questions of why it is killing the people. Oedipus must figure out the cause of the plague to save the people of Thebes.

Some questions to consider: 
1. What is significant about the first line being a question?
2. What are your initial impressions of King Oedipus?
3. How does the priest describe the people of Thebes' view of their king?
4. What do we learn about Oedipus' past from the priest?
5. What action does Oedipus take to solve the problems affecting Thebes?
6. When Creon arrives from the Oracle, what does Oedipus insist that he does? What does this tell us about his character?
7. What does Creon report from the Oracle?
8. What is Oedipus' response to this news?
9. What is the dramatic irony that surrounds Oedipus' response?

Dramatic Irony: a literary technique, originally used in Greek tragedy, by which the full significance of a character's words or actions are clear to the audience or reader although unknown to the character.

10. What does Oedipus promise to do for Thebes?

For Wednesday/Thursday:

1. Read and TAKE NOTES on the following handout on the purpose of the Chorus. Role of the Chorus- Greek Theater

2. Read VERY CAREFULLY the first Chorus- Lines 169-244. Read it again. In your second read, look for the five purposes that a Chorus serves... what do we learn in this opening chorus, which is called the PARADOS.  Be ready to discuss your findings on Wednesday/Thursday.

3. Have read up to line 570 for Wednesday/Thursday.

  Epidauras,Greece Mrs. Cole at 22.