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Introduction to Greek DramaIntroduction to Greek Drama
TheaterTheaterTheater was a means forTheater was a means for
Entertainment for peopleEntertainment for peopleCompetition for writers Competition for writers Religion—honored godsReligion—honored godsCivic loyaltyCivic loyaltyHonor to local heroesHonor to local heroesSocial eventsSocial events To air important philosophical issuesTo air important philosophical issues
Origins of TheaterOrigins of Theater
Song and dance was used Song and dance was used to honor gods and to honor gods and celebrate special occasions celebrate special occasions Dionysus: the god of wine; Dionysus: the god of wine;
changing of seasonschanging of seasons City of Dionysia: religious City of Dionysia: religious
festival held in springfestival held in spring Dithyramb:Dithyramb: developed developed
from circle dances; hymn from circle dances; hymn sung to honor the godsung to honor the god
Performed by a masked Performed by a masked chorus of about 50 menchorus of about 50 men
Festivals had drama Festivals had drama competitions; 10 judgescompetitions; 10 judges
Major PlaywrightsMajor Playwrights Thespis = “Father of Drama”Thespis = “Father of Drama”
Added a character separate from the Added a character separate from the choruschorus
AeschylusAeschylus Added second actorAdded second actor
SophoclesSophocles Added third actorAdded third actor Fixed number in chorus to 15Fixed number in chorus to 15 Introduced painted sceneryIntroduced painted scenery Most successful in drama competitions Most successful in drama competitions
(won 24 of 30)(won 24 of 30) EuripidesEuripides
Reduced participation of chorus in main Reduced participation of chorus in main actionaction
Relied heavily on prologues Relied heavily on prologues AristophanesAristophanes Only comedic playwrightOnly comedic playwright
Sophocles
Physical Structure of TheaterPhysical Structure of TheaterTheaters were not buildings; usually Theaters were not buildings; usually
hillsides with wooden (later stone) hillsides with wooden (later stone) benches addedbenches added
Open airOpen air
Parts of the TheaterParts of the Theater TheatronTheatron
““seeing place” (where audience sat)seeing place” (where audience sat) Benches first wooden, later stoneBenches first wooden, later stone
OrchestraOrchestra 65 feet in diameter65 feet in diameter Circular dancing placeCircular dancing place Chorus and actors performed hereChorus and actors performed here
SkeneSkene Building made of wood (later stone) with several Building made of wood (later stone) with several
doors that opened to the audiencedoors that opened to the audience Used as dressing room, prop storageUsed as dressing room, prop storage Backdrop to action; built-in scenery (palace, Backdrop to action; built-in scenery (palace,
temple, etc), used for entrances/exits of temple, etc), used for entrances/exits of characterscharacters
Actors and ActingActors and Acting Actor and playwright were usually the same Actor and playwright were usually the same
(took leading role)(took leading role) Never more than 3 actors (each changed Never more than 3 actors (each changed
characters as needed) characters as needed) All male performers (no women; men played All male performers (no women; men played
female roles)female roles) Because theaters were so large, actors had Because theaters were so large, actors had
to exaggerate movements to be seento exaggerate movements to be seen
Costumes and MasksCostumes and Masks CostumesCostumes
Tragic actors wore colorful robesTragic actors wore colorful robes Chorus wore conventional costumes (soldiers, Chorus wore conventional costumes (soldiers,
priests, mourners, even frogs, birds, or wasps—in priests, mourners, even frogs, birds, or wasps—in comedies)comedies)
MasksMasks All participants except the musician wore them.All participants except the musician wore them. Began as realistic human facesBegan as realistic human faces Became less realistic (exaggeration)Became less realistic (exaggeration) Made of wool, linen, cork, wood; none have Made of wool, linen, cork, wood; none have
survivedsurvived Identified age, gender, and emotionIdentified age, gender, and emotion Exaggerated features: large eyes, open mouthExaggerated features: large eyes, open mouth
Mask of Dionysus
Mask of warrior
Mask of philosopher
Mask of woman
The ChorusThe Chorus Chanted, danced, commented on action of playChanted, danced, commented on action of play Accompanied by a single musician (played aulos: Accompanied by a single musician (played aulos:
pipe)pipe) Sets overall mood and expresses themeSets overall mood and expresses theme Adds beauty through song and danceAdds beauty through song and dance Gives background informationGives background information Divides action and offers reflections on eventsDivides action and offers reflections on events ChoragosChoragos
Leader of chorusLeader of chorus Sometimes involved in dialogueSometimes involved in dialogue Questions, advises, expresses opinionsQuestions, advises, expresses opinions Usually represents typical viewer’s reaction to the events of Usually represents typical viewer’s reaction to the events of
the playthe play
Dramatic ConventionsDramatic Conventions MessengerMessenger
Tells of news happening away from sceneTells of news happening away from scene Violence did not occur onstage; messenger Violence did not occur onstage; messenger
would describe in gory detailwould describe in gory detail LimitationsLimitations
Continuous presence of chorus “on stage”Continuous presence of chorus “on stage” No intermissionNo intermission No artificial lightingNo artificial lighting No curtainsNo curtains Few props (usually for character identification: Few props (usually for character identification:
swords, sticks, etc)swords, sticks, etc)
TragedyTragedyThe fall of a great man or woman.The fall of a great man or woman.Tragic hero: main character whose Tragic hero: main character whose
downfall is the result of a tragic flawdownfall is the result of a tragic flawPurpose: to inspire the audiences to Purpose: to inspire the audiences to
examine their own lives, define their examine their own lives, define their beliefs, and to cleanse their emotions of beliefs, and to cleanse their emotions of pity and terror through compassion for pity and terror through compassion for the character.the character.
Fifth century B.C. known as the Golden Fifth century B.C. known as the Golden Age of Greek Drama.Age of Greek Drama.