Greek tragedy: its characteristics and most important works

The Greek tragedy is a dramatic genre that emerged in Classical Antiquity. It consists of the representation of a serious action (as opposed to comedy), the gravity of which invites to release the feelings of compassion and horror in the viewer. It is usually inspired by classical mythology.

It is a genre that addresses issues such as the fatality of fate, the sense of the tragic, the human condition and the restoration of order. Added to the beauty and poetic depth of the dialogues, these characteristics keep the Greek tragedy alive.

The origin of the Greek tragedy dates back to the 6th century BC. C. and it seems to be related to religious practices. First, the sacrificial rituals of a male goat, where the word comes from τραγῳδία (swallow) –drinks means 'male goat', and ádein means 'ode'. Then, the dithyramb, a poetic composition to the god Dionysus.

Initially, the songs of the dithyramb were performed by a choir. Over time, the corifeo (lead voice) began to dialogue with the choir. Later, as the action and more characters increased, the stage drama appeared and, with it, the specific form of the tragedy.

The arguments of the tragedy have influenced many writers and artists throughout history, and have even transcended the theories of psychoanalysis. To understand it, let's get acquainted with its main characteristics, as well as its most important representatives and works.

Characteristics of the Greek tragedy

Address universal conflicts

The Greek tragedy deals with archetypal conflicts. This means that its themes are universal, even when based on classical mythology. This universality is due to the fact that tragedy reflects on human nature and the condition of its existence, interpreted in the sense of “the tragic”.

For example, the conflict of human passions, fate, power, betrayal, honor, error, etc.

Sense of "the tragic"

The Greek tragedy is based on the sense of "the tragic." This is understood as the tension that arises between human actions and the conditions that determine their existence. Hence, there is no tragedy in chance. There is only when the established order is challenged by human action. Such defiance unleashes dire consequences and demands redress to restore order.

For example, Agamemnon of Aeschylus. In this piece, a tragic mistake by Agamemnon has cost him Iphigenia's life, and this unleashes her mother, Clytemnestra, desire for revenge.

Sense of the doom of fate

Another fundamental element of the Greek tragedy is the fatality of destiny. Contrary to popular belief, the doom of fate does not mean that characters always come to a terrible end. It means that his destiny is inescapable, inevitable, regardless of what it is. Therefore, destiny is related to the reestablishment of the primordial order.

Although a significant number of tragedies have a terrible outcome, there are some that are resolved in a comforting way. Such is the case of The Eumenides, where Orestes is freed from his guilt.

The hero is aware of the reasons for suffering

In the Greek tragedy the hero is usually aware of the reasons for the suffering he is going through. The characters know that they have responsibility for their fate, and therefore are capable of reflecting and accepting their fate.

As an example, we can refer to the work Antigoneby Sophocles. In it, Antigone is aware of the causes of his suffering and the fate that awaits him.

The characters express their reflections

As the characters know themselves responsible for the suffering, their dialogues expose the reasoning of their conscience. The characters elucidate about their motivations and human limitations, and end up understanding the principles that govern life and nature.

This is the case, for example, in the work King Oedipus of Sophocles, when Oedipus pronounces the following words:

I do not know with what eyes I could look at my father when he reached the abode of Hades, how he could look also to my unfortunate mother, for the crimes that I have committed against them I would not atone or expiate hanging on me.

Citizen purpose

The Greek tragedy was directed at the citizens, for it had an edifying purpose. It transmitted the universe of civic and religious values ​​that unified the Greek polis. For example, the tensions between tyranny and democracy, or between the will of the gods and human actions. Thus, the Greek tragedy had a role in social construction.

This is the case of Antigone of Sophocles, which represents the opposition between the religious order and the civic order.

Catharsis as an immediate purpose

According to Aristotle in his work Poetics, the tragedy has catharsis as its function. Catharsis is understood as the liberation and relief of the feelings that the dramatic action provokes in the viewer, moved by compassion and horror.

Chorus and characters

Among the elements of the Greek tragedy are the characters and the chorus. The characters are usually nobles, heroes and, to a lesser extent, gods, precisely because of their edifying character.

For its part, the choir has the function of spinning the story and sanctioning the actions of the characters. Many times, through the chorus, we get to know the author's own ideas.

Structure of the Greek tragedy

As for the dramatic text, the Greek tragedy has the following form and structure:

• Foreword: It is a kind of summary that tells the background of the story.
• Parados: It is the moment that the chorus enters, which begins the dramatic action.
• Episodes: they are the scenes proper, where the dialogues of the characters take place.
• We are: they are the songs of the choir that, throughout the piece, appear to explain the sequence of actions or to sanction the actions of the characters.
• Exodus: the exodus is the outcome of the dramatic conflict. It almost always represents the hero's downfall, although on some occasions, the hero may be redeemed.

Main works of Greek tragedy

The most important authors of the Greek tragedy, those who have transcended to the present, are:

• Aeschylus (ca. 525 - ca. 455 a. C.);
• Sophocles (496 - 406 BC. C.);
• Euripides (ca. 484 - 406 a. C.).

The works of these writers have become true classics of literature and universal theater, due to the validity of their arguments. Let's get to know some of the most important works.

King Oedipus by Sophocles

King Oedipus It is perhaps the best known work of Sophocles. It represents the conflict of Oedipus, whom the oracle predicted that he would kill his father, Laius, and marry his mother, Jocasta. Trying to avoid his fate, Laius tries to get rid of the boy, unaware that his actions only ensure the fulfillment of the oracle.

This argument is the foundation of Freud's psychoanalytic theory, and is known as the "Oedipus complex." Freud found in the work a symbolic model of the psychological tensions between father and son, who compete for the love of the mother.

It may interest you: Sophocles' Oedipus Rex: Summary and Analysis.

Antigone by Sophocles

Antigone it represents the contrast between the divine order and the civic order. Within this question, part of his themes cross universal problems such as freedom of conscience and the role of the State as guarantor of social order.

Antigone has decided to honor the body of his brother Polinices, killed in battle, despite the fact that King Creon has denied her burial. While the king defies the command of the gods, Antigone defies the authority of the civic order.

It may interest you: Sophocles' Antigone: Summary and Analysis

Agamemnon by Aeschylus

Agamemnon is the first work of the trilogy known as The Oresteia, focused on representing the tension between justice and revenge. Such a question is part of the imperishable themes of human existence.

The conflict in this first piece arises when the king of Argos, Agamemnon, returns home after fighting for ten years in the Trojan War. His wife, Clytemnestra, has established an adulterous relationship with Egistro, the king's cousin. Clytemnestra wishes to avenge the sacrifice of her daughter Iphigenia, and Egistro wishes to ascend the throne. Thus, the lovers conspire and kill Agamemnon.

The choreographers by Aeschylus

The coephoras is the second piece of the trilogy The Oresteia. It represents the revenge of the children of Agamemnon, Orestes and Electra, after the murder perpetrated by Clytemnestra and Egistro. Orestes kills Clitemnestra, who before dying she invokes the Erinyes or Eumenides, goddesses of vengeance. They will start a persecution against Orestes.

The Eumenides by Aeschylus

On The Eumenides is the third piece of the trilogy The Oresteia. Orestes has to appear before the court of the gods on the Areopagus. The jury deliberates whether the murder perpetrated by Orestes is justified. Thanks to the mediation of Apollo and Athena, Orestes is found innocent and is redeemed from his guilt.

Medea by Euripides

Medea, Jason's wife, is repudiated by the hero, who wishes to marry the daughter of Creon, king of Corinth. Although the king orders Medea's immediate exile, he grants her a one-day deadline. This will be the time necessary for Medea to execute her revenge against Jason, killing the king's daughter, Creon and his sons. Medea flees in Helios' chariot.

In this work, the author highlights the conflicts typical of women as an individual against the social order. The woman rebels against her condition that subordinates her to men, a rebellion that will be expressed in her cruelest revenge.

The Trojans by Euripides

The Trojans it is a tragedy of Euripides that has transcended as a profound representation of the consequences of war. He reflects on the human debasement that is revealed in the relationship between winners and losers.

Euripides represents the last day of the destruction of Troy. The victors loot the city and the women are bypassed. The cruel and unworthy actions of the victors are the preamble to suffering terrible consequences.