Greek Theatre
Dramatic Structure
The dramatic structure of a Greek tragedy influenced the eventual division of a play into acts and
scenes. The Greek tragedy is divided into five distinct sections:
The Prologue (Prologos): The opening portion of the play, which sets the scene and contains the exposition
The Parados: The entrance song of the chorus. The Parados is named after the broad aisles on either side
of the theatron, along which the chorus entered and exited.
The Episodes (Scenes): The scene in the action of the drama. The episodes, performed by the actors, are
distinguished from the stasimons, performed by the chorus. The episodes alternate
with the stasimons.
The Stasimons (Odes): A choral passage, alternating with the episodes of the plot of the drama. The ode is
a type of lyric poem, using exalted, dignified diction, a poetic form created for the
choral passages. The chorus sang and danced the tragic odes, accompanied by
musical instruments. The tragic ode consisted of strophes and antistrophes,
essentially stanzas of the poems. Historians suggest that the chorus sang the
strophe dancing in one direction around the orchestra changing directions with the
antistrophe.
Exodus: The concluding section of the tragedy. The exodus ends with the chorus singing their final lines
as they exit. Specifically, the OEDIPUS REX, the dramatic structure of the play observes the
Following order:
Prologue (Prologos)
Parados
Scene 1 (Episode 1)
Ode 1 (Stasimon 1)
Scene 2 (Episode 2)
Ode 2 (Stasimon 2)
Scene 3 (Episode 3)
Ode 3 (Stasimon 3)
Scene 4 (Episode 4)
Ode 4 (Stasimon 4)
Exodus
Complete the next page that correlates the modern day play structure with the ancient Greek structure. You
will complete the section labeled action where you will discuss what happened in OEDIPUS REX during
each of these divisions.
Dramatic Structure
Modern Day
Dramatic Structure
Greek Tragedy
Dramatic Structure
Exposition
Prologue, Parados
Conflict
Scene 1, Ode 1
Rising Action
Scene 2, Ode 2
Scene 3, Ode 3
Climax
Scene 4
Action
A crowd in Thebes requests that
Oedipus, who had once saved them
from a sphinx, to rescue the citizens
from a recent plague. The priest informs
him of the situation and Oedipus calms
the masses with news that Creon went to
Delphi to investigate and he later returns
with reports that the gods are angered by
the murder of Laius. Oedipus
immediately vows to find the murderer.
In the Parados a prayer is directed
toward the gods, to relieve the land of
the pestilence.
The blind prophet (Tiresias) who had
been called to Thebes arrives and
repeatedly refuses to announce the
murderer in front of the crowd. Oedipus
becomes frustrated and proceeds to
make insulting comments directed
toward Tiresias. Tiresias then declares
Oedipus himself to be the murderer.
Oedipus continues to argue and then he
forces Tiresias to exit Thebes.
Oedipus finds himself involved in
another argument dealing with more
accusations, however, this time with
Creon. His wife enters and persuades
him to let up. Jocasta calms Oedipus
about the recent prophecies. She then
becomes curious upon hearing details of
her husbands past. Suspicion arises
amongst the two. The chorus completes
the scene with the conclusion that man
needs to respect the gods.
Jocasta attempts to relieve the city of its
troubles. A man from Corinth comes
with news of the death of the King of
Corinth, Polybus. He reveals that
Oedipus is not the real son of the king.
As a youth Oedipus was handed to a
Falling Action
Ode 4, Exodus
Resolution
Exodus
shepard. Jocasta becomes aware of her
marriage to her son. The messenger
then confirms this reality to Oedipus.
A messenger relates the events and news
of the day, and Oedipus becomes
enraged. This mood dramatically shifts
to great sorrow as he is informed that his
wife has hung herself. He weeps over
her and states that he wishes to have
died young.
Oedipus requests that Creon banish him
from Thebes. In addition, he asks that
his wife have a suitable funeral. Creon
assumes the role of king. Oedipus’ third
request is that his daughters are in
Creon’s care. Creon leaves Oedipus
with the statement telling him how he
should not be master in everything.