Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1872-03-15
The University Lectures
NO. IL.

GREEK TRAGEDE-BY PROF. Il. W. HAYNES.
The second lecture Of the course at tina Univer-
tity was delivered on Wednesday. March G. by
Prof Henry " Haynes. In spite Of the severity
Of the weather, the chapel WAS filled with s
choice audience, including a number Of ladies.
Prof Haynes subject was Greek Tragedy
He said be should not undertake to discuss the
obscure and coutrovertei questions Of tie origin
and development Of tragedy among the an
Gent Greeks, but would endeavor to sketch the
general features Of those g Attic tragedies Of
stateliest and mos; regal srgument which
have been the wonder and delight Of all succeed
ing sges, aud to show how their purpose was
developed through their structure and chsrsc-
teristc elements.
The sucient Greek tragedy differs widely from
the more modern drama, which aims to be pic
ture Of humsn life. II WAS in the highest degree
ideal The Greek traGedisns knew nothing Of
the modern iies Of poetic justice Destiny and
not Justice was the great principle they loved to
celebrate, and virtue, not rewarded, but s;rug-
Cling dauntlessly against the wrongs Of Fate.
/ Schlegel defines the prevailing ites Of Greek
/ tragedy az the overwhelming sense Of an oppres-
tive destiny but he oyerlo0ks the fact that this
inaexible Fate Is ret in motion by superior
power and that it operates IN the service Of Of
tended Justice Not Fate but Nemesis was the
ruling motive This notion Of sn syenging Mem
esis, that csnno; be escaped, csn be traced
/ through Homer, Hes.ol and the Gnomic poets
down &c Pindar
Greek Tragedy was an 0uigr0wth Of religious
worship II treated life SIS the working rot Of
/ individual forces and causes. hut Of higher SUI
pernatursI agents. Il emhoiiel the idcs of pro-
rdcatiou by suffering snd telf-sacriice. Il rep
] 1-. 81
/ for freedom agsinst the divine control Head
/ strong and impious be gains his point but loses
a.. beside. The svenging furies are upon HE
/ track. snd casmities cruih his proud heart tall
/ under clsstisemeut Ee subsides into a sublime
/ resignation % the divine DEGREES. Blu. the end
/ Of the tragic hero, il not Rlssys sad When the
vndicati0n of divine justice is comp eted 10y pun
ishment. Prometheus is unclaimed from his
rock. Orestes is a6s1lvsi from HE mstriciie.
snd Oedipus, though the evil he has done may
be entailel on bis children, iescauis 10 bis grave
in peace.
The materials O.. Greek Tragedy were the ns-
tonal mythology and legends, as of Hercules,
Theseus sui jason or " presenting Ihedes AMI
peops' lives - and the plot Tss Of ne-ess,-
" known 20 the spectstcrs The drama 81
Athens was slWsys under the charge Of tle
chief magistrate and c0us,i utei a part az the
/ G. .
20 the D5nysias festivals in the spring Ihe
cbiefone Of there lated eight days The pieces
were offered in competition for the lrausus
prize. the rivalry being between the tribes
10 which the poets belonged The poet was
REQUIRED 20 train the scrors sui the chorus. b5.h
in IRE dramatic parts and ia The mute 3 board
Ut Judges. appointed bv the Arcs0n. awarded The
rr-7s The performances commenced ~ day
ii-tt. and lasted al dsv for several DAYS The
training of the actors te.n- an efr.rt.sl as--,
the Pre- was alvays awarded not 20 ,be peer, a.
such. tat as teaeher CT the chorus Iftuccess-
full. be received crown of ivy. while the
ch 9rerus. wealthy citizen appointed hy the
tribe 10 provide and Dag toe chorus. caasecr.rsi
90 Baced1s o TRIPOD Inscribed With hs usms,
a1i those O.. The tribe Tie pe- sai the afehol
i'' g. '.,, , 49, On ' ,Ie.s ~.
,bs- If T.,,.,rste.. bss lsc1 rree rvei % or
lay Tae theatre vas 20 the icuth slc or the