Teaching for Oedipus at Colonus — Classical Reference Library

GREEK TRAGEDY • BACKGROUND GUIDE

Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides: Three Greek Tragedians

A comparative introduction to Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides, exploring their surviving tragedies, dramatic approaches, treatment of justice, knowledge, suffering, and the Chorus. Includes examples from the Oresteia, The Persians, Antigone, Oedipus the King, Medea, and The Bacchae, together with discussion questions and a comparative classroom activity.

Read resource →

GREEK TRAGEDY • BACKGROUND GUIDE

Fate, Choice, and Responsibility in Greek Tragedy

An accessible examination of fate, prophecy, free choice, and moral responsibility in Greek tragedy. Uses examples from Sophocles and Aeschylus to distinguish unavoidable circumstances from individual decisions, with close-reading questions and a classroom activity for evaluating tragic choices.

Read resource →

GREEK TRAGEDY • BACKGROUND GUIDE

Greek Tragedy and the Gods

An accessible guide to the role of the gods in Greek tragedy, examining divine authority, oracles, prophecy, sacred obligations, ritual, justice, and human responsibility. Includes examples from Sophocles and Euripides, close-reading questions, and a classroom activity distinguishing characters’ beliefs from dramatic evidence.

Read resource →

GREEK TRAGEDY • THEATER & PERFORMANCE

The Greek Theater: Stage, Actors, Masks, and Audience

A student-friendly introduction to the ancient Greek theater and the performance traditions of tragedy. Explains the theatron, orchestra, skene, actors, masks, costumes, the Chorus, music, messenger speeches, and festival audiences, with practical questions to help students imagine how Greek tragedies were originally experienced

Read resource →

GREEK TRAGEDY • BACKGROUND GUIDE

The Tragic Hero: What the Term Does—and Does Not—Mean

A critical introduction to the idea of the tragic hero, explaining why Greek tragedy cannot always be reduced to a noble character with a fatal flaw. Examines error, pride, suffering, moral responsibility, and the complexity of tragic protagonists, with examples from Antigone, Oedipus the King, Ajax, and Medea. Includes discussion questions and a comparative classroom activity.

Read resource →