Aristotle, Theatre SpacesAristotle, Theatre Spaces

Theatre 100 -- Dr. Blood

week 2 of class

Theatre 100 -- Dr. Blood

week 2 of class

Definitions - Theatre SpacesDefinitions - Theatre Spaces

Theatre must have a live performer and a live audience. That’s it.

Proscenium stage Thrust stage Arena stage Found spaces Environmental staging

Theatre must have a live performer and a live audience. That’s it.

Proscenium stage Thrust stage Arena stage Found spaces Environmental staging

AudienceAudience

Forms a collective identity Cyclic interchange with performers Different behaviors expected in different

times, performance styles Critic as privileged audience member

Peer reviewers for grants Academic critics

Forms a collective identity Cyclic interchange with performers Different behaviors expected in different

times, performance styles Critic as privileged audience member

Peer reviewers for grants Academic critics

Aristotle’s PoeticsAristotle’s Poetics

C. 350 BCE C. 350 BCE

Aristotle’s PoeticsAristotle’s Poetics

C. 350 BCE; 1st extant work of literary or artistic criticism

Focus on tragedy; did he also write ones on comedy and epic poetry?

Imitation is the basis of art (from Plato); drama is imitation of action

Definition of tragedy

C. 350 BCE; 1st extant work of literary or artistic criticism

Focus on tragedy; did he also write ones on comedy and epic poetry?

Imitation is the basis of art (from Plato); drama is imitation of action

Definition of tragedy

Six Elements of DramaSix Elements of Drama

In order of importance to Aristotle: Plot Character Thought (theme) Diction (artistic use of language) Song/Music Spectacle

In order of importance to Aristotle: Plot Character Thought (theme) Diction (artistic use of language) Song/Music Spectacle

Plot ElementsPlot Elements

Beginning, middle, end structure Unity and probability A complex vs. a simple plot is preferred;

this includes peripety (reversal) and anagnorisis (recognition)

Single vs. double (no subplots) Goal (telos) is catharsis - gives drama a

social function in the polis

Beginning, middle, end structure Unity and probability A complex vs. a simple plot is preferred;

this includes peripety (reversal) and anagnorisis (recognition)

Single vs. double (no subplots) Goal (telos) is catharsis - gives drama a

social function in the polis

Character elementsCharacter elements

Characters should also be probable or necessary Hero

Good Aim at propriety True to life Consistent

Hamartia (tragic flaw): meaning much debated

Characters should also be probable or necessary Hero

Good Aim at propriety True to life Consistent

Hamartia (tragic flaw): meaning much debated

Structure of Tragic PlotStructure of Tragic Plot

Prologue Parodos 3-5 Episodes (scenes) alternate with Choric

parts Exodus Commos (optional) joint chorus and

character section

Prologue Parodos 3-5 Episodes (scenes) alternate with Choric

parts Exodus Commos (optional) joint chorus and

character section

Old ComedyOld Comedy

5th century BCE Part of City Dionysia from 487 BCE Political and social satire Personal attacks, author’s POV Aristophanes (c.448-380 BCE) bridges old

and middle comedy; Lysistrata (411 BCE) is old comedy

5th century BCE Part of City Dionysia from 487 BCE Political and social satire Personal attacks, author’s POV Aristophanes (c.448-380 BCE) bridges old

and middle comedy; Lysistrata (411 BCE) is old comedy

Structure of Old ComedyStructure of Old Comedy

“Happy idea:” absurd but clear relevance to contemporary issue

Prologue Chorus enters and debates the happy idea (agon)

with each other and characters Parabasis choral section in the middle, direct

address to audience, Scenes of adopting the happy idea Komos - reconciliation, often exiting to feast or

revels

“Happy idea:” absurd but clear relevance to contemporary issue

Prologue Chorus enters and debates the happy idea (agon)

with each other and characters Parabasis choral section in the middle, direct

address to audience, Scenes of adopting the happy idea Komos - reconciliation, often exiting to feast or

revels

Peloponnesian War 431-404 BCE Peloponnesian War 431-404 BCE

Background of Aristophanes’ play: 20 years into the war

Athens (Delian League) vs. Sparta (Peloponnesian League)

1st phase (10 yrs) Athens’ navy raids coasts, Sparta repeatedly invades Attica

Peace of Nicias, 421 2nd: Athens launches attack on Syracuse in 415,

whole force destroyed 413 Persian joins Sparta, they chip away at Athens’

allies Destroy navy at Aegospotami, 405

Background of Aristophanes’ play: 20 years into the war

Athens (Delian League) vs. Sparta (Peloponnesian League)

1st phase (10 yrs) Athens’ navy raids coasts, Sparta repeatedly invades Attica

Peace of Nicias, 421 2nd: Athens launches attack on Syracuse in 415,

whole force destroyed 413 Persian joins Sparta, they chip away at Athens’

allies Destroy navy at Aegospotami, 405

Results of Peloponnesian WarResults of Peloponnesian War Massive human cost Tremendous economic cost; Athens never

regains prosperity Democracy vs. oligarchy Warfare broke prior rules: devastation of

whole cities, crops and countryside, broken religious and cultural taboos

Historians: Thucydides, Xenophon How are these real costs lampooned by

Aristophanes?

Massive human cost Tremendous economic cost; Athens never

regains prosperity Democracy vs. oligarchy Warfare broke prior rules: devastation of

whole cities, crops and countryside, broken religious and cultural taboos

Historians: Thucydides, Xenophon How are these real costs lampooned by

Aristophanes?