An investigative Analysis of Sophocles’ King Oedipus on Modern Sri Lankan Stage.

Abstract

Tragedies in Classical Greece had been performed in the open air theater in a festive atmosphere of dramatic competition. The audience consisted of citizens and visitors to the city. They had a prior knowledge of the story line of the myth that represented the history and religion of the Greeks. The poets, their techniques as well as the basis of interpretation given by the individual tragedians to traditional material were also known knowledge or easily understood by the audience. The theatre culture they were experiencing had prepared them to receive the messages given. Though some according to their level of intelligence saw only the superficial or the topical, others managed to seek out the universal. A researcher finds himself confronted with the question of how and why these classical tragedies appeal, impress and influence the modem world. The difference of time, place and culture are obvious. But dramas do not enjoy the value they used to enjoy as a mode of mass communications. Modern technology had presented the world with much effective methods of communication. To arrive at a conclusive answer it is necessary to investigate the nature and development of classical tragedies performed on the global as well as the local stage. A short history of the development would serve as a background to the core of the investigation, which is the analysis of a popular Greek tragedy adapted for the local stage in the modern period. Critical analysis will be based on personal observation made with a critical distance, survey of interviews and critical reviews.