Introduction to TheatreIntroduction to Theatre

Drama Combines aspects of all Drama Combines aspects of all three Literary Genresthree Literary Genres

LiteratureLiterature Drama can be fictional or factualDrama can be fictional or factual It can also be commercial or literaryIt can also be commercial or literary Drama shares many of the common literary Drama shares many of the common literary

elements like plot, setting, characterization, and elements like plot, setting, characterization, and dialogdialog

PoetryPoetry Many plays are written in verse (for example, Many plays are written in verse (for example,

“Oedipus Rex” and “Othello”)“Oedipus Rex” and “Othello”) DramaDrama

Its unique characteristic is that it is written to be Its unique characteristic is that it is written to be performedperformed

Three Major Characteristics of Three Major Characteristics of DramaDrama

1. It has a direct, immediate impact1. It has a direct, immediate impactAdvantages: Advantages:

Simultaneous impressions occurSimultaneous impressions occurPerformance can be more expressive than a Performance can be more expressive than a

reader’s imaginationreader’s imaginationDisadvantages:Disadvantages:

Limited to one viewpoint—objective (dramatic)Limited to one viewpoint—objective (dramatic)Writers try to overcome this by using the Writers try to overcome this by using the soliloquysoliloquy and the and the asideaside to accomplish what the to accomplish what the omniscient viewpoint achieves in the short story omniscient viewpoint achieves in the short story genregenre

2. Drama effectively commands the 2. Drama effectively commands the spectator’s attentionspectator’s attentionAdvantage: The playwright’s power Advantage: The playwright’s power

extends beyond words aloneextends beyond words aloneDisadvantage: The materials one can Disadvantage: The materials one can

use on stage are limiteduse on stage are limited

3. The experience of watching a play 3. The experience of watching a play is communalis communalAdvantage: Impact is intensified.Advantage: Impact is intensified.Disadvantages: There is a need for Disadvantages: There is a need for

brevity, swift movement of plot, and brevity, swift movement of plot, and intermissionsintermissions

Plays are meant to be seen. However, Plays are meant to be seen. However, there are justifications for reading a there are justifications for reading a

playplay

It is better to know some masterpieces by It is better to know some masterpieces by reading them than never to know them at allreading them than never to know them at all

Reading allows fuller use of the imaginationReading allows fuller use of the imagination It allows one to study at leisureIt allows one to study at leisure It allows for reviewIt allows for review It permits one to see the original intent of the It permits one to see the original intent of the

author without intervention by a director author without intervention by a director

The History of Western Drama is The History of Western Drama is Rooted in Ancient GreeceRooted in Ancient Greece

A Greek theatre on Mount Parnassus above Delphi

Greek TheatreGreek Theatre Ancient Greek theatre developed as part Ancient Greek theatre developed as part

of religious festivalsof religious festivals A “choric hymn” called the A “choric hymn” called the dithyrambdithyramb was was

composed in honor of Dionysus, the god of composed in honor of Dionysus, the god of wine and fertilitywine and fertility

The hymn was sung by a chorus of 50 menThe hymn was sung by a chorus of 50 men Over time, Thespis, the first actor, added Over time, Thespis, the first actor, added

dialog between one actor and the chorusdialog between one actor and the chorus

ThespisThespis Added the first actor to interact with the Added the first actor to interact with the

dithyramb chorusdithyramb chorus Called the actor the “protagonist”Called the actor the “protagonist” Is said to have performed in Athens in 534 Is said to have performed in Athens in 534

B.C.B.C. The term “thespian,” (having to do with The term “thespian,” (having to do with

drama or theater) comes from his name.drama or theater) comes from his name. When the Dionysian festivals changed to When the Dionysian festivals changed to

drama competitions, Thespis was the first drama competitions, Thespis was the first winnerwinner

Golden Age of Greece Golden Age of Greece (480 - 338 BC)(480 - 338 BC)

Featured 3 great tragic dramatists:Featured 3 great tragic dramatists:Aeschylus (525-456 BC)Aeschylus (525-456 BC)Sophocles (496-405 BC)Sophocles (496-405 BC)Euripedes (480-407 BC)Euripedes (480-407 BC)

Aeschylus (around 484 B.C.)Aeschylus (around 484 B.C.) Changed the dithyramb into dramaChanged the dithyramb into drama Added a second actorAdded a second actor Added props and sceneryAdded props and scenery Reduced the chorus from 50 to 15Reduced the chorus from 50 to 15

SophoclesSophocles Added a third actorAdded a third actor Changed the focus from interactions between Changed the focus from interactions between

humans and the gods to interactions between humans and the gods to interactions between humanshumans

EuripidesEuripides Reflects modern attitudesReflects modern attitudes Writes about all real people, not just royaltyWrites about all real people, not just royalty Plays have a realistic flavorPlays have a realistic flavor

Physical Conventions of Greek Physical Conventions of Greek TheatreTheatre

Semi-circular tiers of seats hollowed Semi-circular tiers of seats hollowed out of the hillside out of the hillside

Seated up to 17,000 spectatorsSeated up to 17,000 spectatorsOrchestra Orchestra

60 ft. in diameter with altar at center60 ft. in diameter with altar at centerPlace where the chorus performedPlace where the chorus performed

Performances occurred in daylightPerformances occurred in daylightChorus of 15Chorus of 15

Sang and danced in response to the actorsSang and danced in response to the actors

ChorusChorus Forerunner of our Forerunner of our

divisions of plays divisions of plays into acts and into acts and scenesscenes

Function in telling Function in telling story:story: converses with main converses with main

character(s)character(s) sometimes sometimes

comments on the comments on the actionaction

offers words of offers words of warning, advicewarning, advice

voices reactions of voices reactions of spectatorsspectators

ActorsActors Maximum of 3 with Maximum of 3 with

speaking rolesspeaking roles Could double, triple Could double, triple

their rolestheir roles All maleAll male Wore masksWore masks Wore buskinsWore buskins

Elevator boots to Elevator boots to increase statureincrease stature

Other Characteristics of Other Characteristics of Greek Drama:Greek Drama:

Some unhappy endingsSome unhappy endingsFew or no horrible scenes on stageFew or no horrible scenes on stageFemale roles played by menFemale roles played by menSimple stage propsSimple stage propsReligious in origin and spiritReligious in origin and spiritRomantic love not importantRomantic love not importantEmployed Aristotle’s classical Employed Aristotle’s classical

unitiesunities

Aristotle’s Rules and Purpose for Aristotle’s Rules and Purpose for Ancient DramaAncient Drama

Classical Unities Classical Unities Unity of time (action must occur within Unity of time (action must occur within

24 hours)24 hours)Unity of place (action takes place in one Unity of place (action takes place in one

location)location)Unity of action (single plot)Unity of action (single plot)

CatharsisCatharsisSocially acceptable purging of emotions Socially acceptable purging of emotions

such as anger, fear, or griefsuch as anger, fear, or grief

Two Main Types of Greek DramaTwo Main Types of Greek Dramawith sub-genreswith sub-genres

TragedyTragedyMelodramaMelodrama

ComedyComedyFarceFarce

Characteristics of Greek Characteristics of Greek TragedyTragedy

Displays human greatnessDisplays human greatnessEmphasizes human freedomEmphasizes human freedomExposes the nobility of manExposes the nobility of manPresents challenges to the vision Presents challenges to the vision

of human possibilityof human possibilityAdheres to Aristotle’s classical Adheres to Aristotle’s classical

unitiesunities

Characteristics of the Tragic Characteristics of the Tragic HeroHero

Overpowering individualOverpowering individual Usually named in the play’s titleUsually named in the play’s title

Judged by moral standardsJudged by moral standardsIsolatedIsolatedLofty and nobleLofty and nobleHas a tragic flawHas a tragic flaw

MelodramaMelodrama

A sub-genre of TragedyA sub-genre of Tragedy Attempts to arouse Attempts to arouse

feelings of fear and pityfeelings of fear and pity Uses crude meansUses crude means Oversimplified conflictOversimplified conflict

Emphasis on plotEmphasis on plot Good triumphs over Good triumphs over

evilevil Happy endingHappy ending Usually escapistUsually escapist

Characteristics of ComedyCharacteristics of ComedyEmphasizes commonness of the Emphasizes commonness of the

groupgroupProtagonist tends to be a typeProtagonist tends to be a typeProtagonist is judged by social Protagonist is judged by social

standardsstandardsPlots are less likely to have Plots are less likely to have

organic unityorganic unityUsually happy endingUsually happy ending

FarceFarce

A sub-genre of A sub-genre of ComedyComedy

Aims at explosive Aims at explosive laughterlaughter

Crude meansCrude means Violent, usually Violent, usually

physical conflictsphysical conflicts

Emphasis on plot, Emphasis on plot, improbable improbable situations, situations, coincidencecoincidence

Coarse wit, practical Coarse wit, practical jokes, physical actionjokes, physical action

Usually escapistUsually escapist

This ends the introductory This ends the introductory discussion of drama and theatre discussion of drama and theatre