Introduction To Greek Theatre and Tragedy

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Introduction To Greek Theatre and Tragedy
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Genre Greek Tragedy

• the word "tragedy" refers primarily to tragic
  drama a literary composition written to be
  performed by actors in which a central character
  called a tragic protagonist or hero suffers some
  serious misfortune which is not accidental and
  therefore meaningless, but is significant in that
  the misfortune is logically connected with the
  hero's actions. Tragedy stresses the
  vulnerability of human beings whose suffering is
  brought on by a combination of human and divine
  actions, but is generally undeserved with regard
  to its harshness.

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The Acropolis
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The Parthenon
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Theatre of Dionysus
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Theatre of Dionysus
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Side by Side
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Greek Masks

• Functions of Greek Masks
• Portrayed different emotions
• Amplified voices
• Allowed actors to portray different characters

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Attire

• The Chiton
• Chotharnus- elevating shoes
• Chalmys- short cloak
• Himation- long cloak

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Qualities of Greek Drama

• Performed on special occasions or festivals for
  worshipping Dionysus
• Competitive- prizes awarded (maybe a goat!)
• Choral-singing was very important, Greek Theatre
  evolved from from a chorus singing
• Closely associated with religion and worshipping
  gods.

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Structure of Greek Drama and Sophocles Plays

• Here are a few characteristics of the structure
  of Greek Drama
• Violence and Death Offstage
• Frequent use of messengers to relate information
• Usually a single place (setting)
• Stories based on myth or history, but varied
  interpretations of both
• Here are some characterisitics of a Sophocles
  play
• Emphasis on individual chatacters
• Reduced role of the Chorus
• Complex characters, psychologicall well-motivated
• Characters subjected to crisis which leads to
  suffering and self-recognition
• Common Theme The choices people make and
  consequences

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The Greek Chorus

• The Chorus began in numbers as large as 50, then
  smaller sizes as actors become more predominate.
  They provided time for scene changes, introduced
  background and summary information. Their dance
  and chanting provided the visionary experience
  that separated audience from the actor and the
  essence of tragedy.
• Ideal spectator reacts as the audience should.
  Asks questions, takes part in the play
• Establishes framework, sets the standard by which
  action will be judged
• Heightens dramatic effect through movement, song
  and dance
• Rhythmical Function-pauses/paces the action so
  audience can reflect and actors can rest/prepare

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So What does all this mean?

• Big Theatre
• Big Characters
• Big Emotions
• Big Consequences- for one person!
• Who could that be!

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THE TRAGIC HERO!
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Aristotles Tragic Hero

• ? Tragedy should evoke a sense of pity and fear
  in the audience
• ? Tragedy can only arouse the sense of pity and
  fear if the hero is neither completely good nor
  completely bad
• ? The tragic hero should be highly renowned and
  prosperous because the hero must fall from
  tremendous good fortune in order to feel pity and
  fear
• ? The hero experiences a downfall because of
  their error or frailty. This means either
• ? their tragic flaw ( a fundamental character
  weakness, such as destructive pride, ruthless
  ambition or obsessive jealousy.)
• or
• ? a single error of judgment

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Tragic Hero Continued

• ? Regardless of how one interprets the error or
  frailty, the key point is that the hero is on
  some level responsible for their downfall.
• ? By the end of the play the hero comes to
  recognize their error and accept the consequences
  as their own fault
• ? The real tragic hero is humbled and enlightened
  b the tragedy
• ? The tragic hero evokes our pity because he is
  not evil and his misfortune is greater than he
  deserves, and he evokes our fear because we
  realize we are fallible and could make the same
  error