Abstract

The Greek theater is recognized worldwide as one of the best theatre in their times. In this paper, we try to explore the real influence of Sophocles in the ancient Greek theatre. In this paper, we try to collect all the conceptual elements of Sophocles work and try to gauge its effect on Greek Theater. It is unfortunate that, so few of these great playwrights' works have survived, but, it is impossible to deny that they created the very basis of all theater up to this day.

Sophocles influence on ancient Greek theater

Introduction and Background

The three greatest tragedians of ancient Greece were Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. 'Persians', from 472 B.C., the earliest tragedy still in existence and was written by Aeschylus, whose most well known play is 'Agamemnon'. He is believed to have introduced the 2nd actor, and put more emphasis on individual roles than on the chorus. Aeschylus is said to have carried off prize after prize from the Dionysia, for about 16 years (between 484 and 468 B.C.). In 468, a new favorite took his place, Sophocles of Colonus.

Sophocles lived from 496-406 B.C., during nearly the whole period of Athens' “golden age”. He wrote about 125 tragedies, and of them, only seven are left. He is regarded as the first, to use a 3rd actor, and he fixed the chorus at 15 instead of 50, thus greatly reducing their role. He had psychologically complex characters, and his plays are calm and nobly tragic, expressing the “golden mean” of Greek philosophy. His play 'Antigone' is one of his best-known works, along with 'Oedipus Rex' and 'Oedipus Colonus'. At the Athenian Dionysia, Sophocles is said to have won first prize 24 times, second prize seven times, and third prize not even once.

The younger rival of Sophocles, who lived in the same time period, was Euripides. He wrote at least 92 plays, though only 67 of them are still known (often just in part of only by name), and only 19 exist in full. His tragedies dealt more with real men and women instead of idealized figures, and he used less poetic language, as well as more realistic characters and dialog. Euripides are often considered the father of “melodrama”, and Aristotle called him the most tragic of the poets because his plays were the most moving. His best-known works are 'Medea', 'Alcestis', 'Orestes', and 'Electra' (Beer, 23).

Discussion

Sophocles work, hugely popular in his day, had a significant influence in the Greek theatre. Later, his influence is seen in the theater of the Renaissance and in the French dramatists Pierre Corneille and Jean Baptiste Racine. Sophocles was able to prove the corruption and human weakness with bitterness and deep realism in his work. His works reflect a deep respect for human heroism, dignity and passion. Euripides assigned a prominent place in his female characters and the protagonist of his plays was often a heroine of the crime or virtue.

Conceptual Elements of Sophocles work

Thematically, the theater of Sophocles uses the ancient myth of the heroic sagas, ...