Silverstein
Name_________________________Per___
English 2R
Research Essay: Ancient Greek Tragedy and Oedipus
Goal: CONDUCT RESEARCH WEBQUEST and Create a detailed and clear, well-documented essay of two to three pages (double-spaced) and
bibliography in response.
Essay structure:
Origins of Greek drama (Paragraph 1)
 Identify the purposes of Ancient Greek drama.
 Describe what the Ancient Greek city-states were and why Athens was important as a center of arts and politics.
 Evaluate the original religious role of the plays.
Staging the performance (Paragraph 2)
 Describe how the performances were staged.
 Describe the parts of the theater and stage itself.
 Explain the scenery, costumes and props.
 Show the role of the Chorus.
Aristotle’s definition of tragedy (Paragraph 3)
 Explain Aristotle’s view of tragedy.
 Describe the structure of a tragedy.
 List the characteristics of the tragic hero.
 Explain the ideas of catharsis, hamartia and hubris.
Oedipus: (Paragraph 4)
 Identify and describe the basic elements of the story.
 Briefly describe the main characters/performers: Chorus, Oedipus, Tiresias, Jocasta, Creon, the Priest, and the Shepherd.
 Explain how fate and hamartia are important in the play.
Works Cited (Attached Page)
 Include all your resources for the assignment in a bibliography page in correct MLA citation format.
 Use at least two resources.
 At least one source should be a database.
 keep track of sources through Easybib—sign up through librarian instructions.
Web Sources on Ancient Greek Theater:
 Ancient Athens:
http://www.arwhead.com/Greeks/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/ancient_greeks/athens/
http://www.ushistory.org/civ/5a.asp
 Origins of Greek theater and staging the plays:
http://www.richeast.org/htwm/Greeks/theatre/actors.html
http://www.pbs.org/empires/thegreeks/background/24a_p1.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQOPFxuiaWQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WlQnEHI_ws
http://www2.cnr.edu/home/bmcmanus/tragedy_theater.html
 Tragedy plays and Aristotle’s definition of tragedy:
http://www.library.cornell.edu/okuref/grtragedy.html
http://www2.cnr.edu/home/bmcmanus/poetics.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-n7I9aFmAcE
 Oedipus:
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/retrieve.do?sgHitCountType=None&sort=DASORT&inPS=true&prodId=LitRC&userGroupName=cher99092&tabID=T003&searchId=R6&resultListTyp
e=RESULT_LIST&contentSegment=&searchType=BasicSearchForm&currentPosition=1&contentSet=GALE
|H1430001442&&docId=GALE|H1430001442&docType=GALE&role=LitRC
 Bibliography:
http://www.easybib.com/
Requirements:
 You must use one of the approved books, databases or websites.
 You may not use unapproved sources like Wikipedia.

Do not waste time on Google trying to find information.
 Bibliography must be in mla format.
Scoring:

Research Notes information is complete, organized, neat and clear.

Research paper is thorough, detailed and complete. Check to make sure you included all required topics.

Research is accurate and uses only valid, approved sources.

Bibliography lists all sources, at least one of which is an e-book or database. Bibliography is in correct MLA format.

Research notes and paper are written using correct grammar, usage and mechanics.