Greek tragedy intro

Sophocles.

Our study of Greek literature this year was guided by Aristotle's Poetics, the first known work of literary theory in history. In it, Aristotle presents his ideas on all aspects of drama and epic poetry: why humans engage in storytelling in the first place, tragedy vs. comedy, and narrative conventions like character and plot. Homer's Odyssey in graphic novel form and viewing a production of Oedipus Rex by Sophocles (both works Aristotle discusses at length in Poetics) illustrate some of the most enduring themes of Greek literature: fate vs. free will, heroism, and mythology. Those were the texts we studied in preparation to write our individual tragedies as well as our class play, "Alexander the Great and the (Gorgeous) Heir."

The upper graders' tragedies include many of these themes, as well as common motifs like disguises, vengeance, betrayal, and "twists" at the end of the play-- what Aristotle called the reversal. And, of course, not all characters live through the play, either. Our class definition of tragedy is a story that begins in order and ends in chaos, so characters' deaths are to be expected. 

In addition to the thematic stuff, the upper graders learned proper formatting and structure of playwriting using http://www.celtx.com, a site I have used for years to teach screenwriting in my filmmaking workshops. Our class learned how to structure acts and scenes and how to write stage direction and dialogue. Enjoy!

--Chris