Title: E vs AGT
1Ancient Greek and Elizabethan Theatre
2General Information
- In the 6th century B.C., Arion of Methymna in
Lesbos (????µ?a) produced the first lyrics for
the dithyramb. In the 5th century B.C., Thespis
of Attica first introduced an actor and the
chorus until the incorporation of more actors
created the classical theatre. Classical plays
followed a particular structural framework, with
minor differences in some plays. Greek plays did
not have intermissions. Aristotle declared that
plays are complete and have a consistent
structure of a beginning, middle, and end. - Early Greek plays derived from religious
ceremonies. They were performances of religious
celebrations that took place in Athens.
3Elements of Greek Tragedy
- The subject is serious. Right before the end the
climax signifies the plays resolution. - The tragic protagonist is usually of noble birth
and displays a greatness of spirit which the
audience respects. - The protagonist faces forces that are beyond
control. - The protagonist struggles until the end and shows
great strength until his or her downfall. - In the end no one gains anything except loss but
the protagonist, despite having lost the battle,
usually gains wisdom and self-awareness in
retrospect.
4- The style of Greek tragedy was ceremonial.
Although music played a significant role in the
performance nothing has survived so that we know
how it sounded. Also, were not certain of
elements such as the amount of the text that was
spoken or chanted. - We do know that the Greek theater opted for the
display of all sorts of vivid and exciting
spectacles. Masks and colorful costumes were worn
by the actors.
5Structure of Greek Tragedy
- Prologue A monologue or dialogue preceding the
entry of the chorus, which presents the tragedy's
topic. - Parodos - The entry ode of the chorus. The actors
remain on stage throughout the play. The odes
expose the theme, comment on action, and
contribute to the development of the story.
6- Stasimon- any extended song of the chorus after
the parodos and at the end of each episode so
that the chorus commented on the action. - Episode the scene between two stasimons.
- Exodos- the final action after the last Stasimon
and the exit song of the chorus after the last
episode. - Chorus - The chorus was a group of costumed men
standing on the orchestra throughout the
performance. They observed and commented on the
action of the actors. It consisted of twelve to
fifteen elders. - The Choragos, or chorus leader often speaks for
the entire chorus at certain moments. Also the
term was used for the sponsor of a chorus.
7- The Messenger - plays the important role of the
witness to events and actions that have taken
place in other areas. He reports important action
that has occurred offstage, usually portraying
the violent acts that are never shown on stage
and yet affect the course and outcome of the
whole tragedy.
8A Greek Theatre would seat 15,000 to 20,000
spectators
9Parts of the Theatre
- Theatron The Greek theatre was called a
theatron. The theaters were large, open-air
structures situated on hills that had rows of
tiered stone seats and were composed of two main
elements the orchestra and the skene. An altar
was located in the middle of the orchestra
dedicated to the god Dionysus. - Orchestra - The circular area at ground level
which was enclosed by the crescent-shaped
theatron.
10- Parodos a passage right and left on the sides
of the orchestra used for the entrances and exits
of the chorus. - Skene it was the stage building (meaning
tent). This was a temporary wooden building
usually decorated as a palace, temple, or
something else in which the actors kept their
masks and costumes and quickly changed. The
skene also had doors from which the actors made
their entrance and exit. They also had access to
the roof from behind the skene, so that actors
who played the roles of gods and other
supernatural characters could appear on the roof. - Proscenium - the part where the actors performed
in front of the skene.
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12The Ancient Greek Theatre
www.youtube.com/watch?vC_gby5JoE6glistPL16D3CC0
AB4AB8DCB
13- Emergence of Drama as a Literary Art
- http//ed.ted.com/lessons/the-emergence-of-drama-a
s-a-literary-art-mindy-ploeckelmann
14ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND QUEEN ELIZABETH I
- 1558 to 1603 (Elizabeths I reign, 45 years The
Golden Age). - Renaissance Revival of ancient classical
mythology, literature and culture. The end of the
Dark Ages (5th to 15th centuries AD. - Male dominance.
- Protestantism a religious movement that began in
Germany by the German monk Martin Luther in 1517
as a reaction against Medieval doctrines and
practices. - Improvement of the educational system.
- English language gains importance.
- Experimentation, Drama, theatre and Shakespeare.
15WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
- Born April 23, 1564 at Stratfordupon-Avon.
- Died April 23, 1616. He was 52-years-old.
- William was the child of John Shakespeare, a
leather trader and - Mary Arden. William attended the King's New
School in Stratford where - he learned Latin and studied the classics.
- He married Anne Hathaway in 1582 and had 3
children. - He moved to London between the mid to late 1580s.
- He was part of the acting group called The Lord
Chamberlains Men (the - group was named the Kings Men after the
crowning of King James I in - 1603).
- Shakespeare wrote more than 30 plays and 154
sonnets. - His Plays are divided into histories, comedies,
tragedies and romances.
16ELIZABETHAN THEATRE
THE GLOBE THEATRE It was one of the most famous
Elizabethan theatres. It was composed of three
levels of galleries surrounding a circular yard.
Shakespeares plays were performed in this
theatre. He was part owner of the theatre. The
acting company had about 25 actors, all were
male.
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21Parts of the Globe Theatre
22- During the Performances
- The groundlings stood in the yard while the
richer patrons sat in the more expensive seats in
the balconies. - People were allowed to eat during performances
and shout at the actors if something the actors
did or said displeased them. - The performances did not have any scenery except
for props such as a throne, a bed or a cannon.
But the actors wore colourful and extravagant
costumes.
23- The Globe theatre was burned to the ground in
1613. A prop cannon used for special effects
during the first night of the performance of
Henry VIII exploded and burnt the thatched roof. - It was rebuilt on the same site in 1614.
- It was finally closed in 1642 and demolished in
1644 by the Puritans. - A replica was built in 1997.
24The End of the Globe Theater - the Puritans
- In 1642, the Puritans forced the English
Parliament to close down all the theatres. - The Puritans also known as Parliamentarians were
a religious group that was against the Roman
Catholic Church and in favour of simpler church
structures. They also disapproved of social
activities that were characterized by frivolous
behaviour and finery. - In 1642 the English Civil war broke out between
the Puritans whose leader was Oliver Cromwell and
the Royalists lead by King Charles I. - In 1644 the Globe Theatre was demolished by the
Puritans.
25- In 1647 stricter rules were applied regarding
stage plays and theatres. - In 1648 all playhouses were pulled down. All
players were seized and whipped, and the audience
was fined five shillings. - In 1649 the Puritans executed King Charles I.
- In 1653 Oliver Cromwell became Lord Protector of
England. - In 1658 Cromwell died and his ideas and followers
declined. - In 1660 King Charles II reopened the theatres.
But the Globe was never re-built. - In the 20th century (1997) a reconstruction of a
New Globe Theatre was built near the spot.Â
26- The Theatre in Shakespeares Time
- http//www.youtube.com/watch?vgDkt1MlLdgc
27Ancient Greek and Elizabethan Theater
differences and similarities
- Much like Elizabethan England, ancient Greece
only allowed men to participate in the plays.
Both had minimum scenery. Actors wore masks and
costumes. - The main dissimilarity was that the Greek drama
was rooted in religion and not entertainment.
Performances of Greek tragedy involved ritual.
Tragic festivals were religious in nature because
they were celebrations of the god Dionysus, god
of wine and fertility. Initially the theater was
part of the temple. The plays were performed each
year at the Festival of Dionysus, in which great
writers would compete. On the other hand
Shakespeares plays involve ghosts, spirits and
witches, that is supernatural elements. - Plays are tragedies, comedies, tragicomedies and
romances. - Both theatres have similarities in structure.
They seat the audience in a semi-circular or
circular tiered design, have a stage and the
Elizabethan theatre is partly roofed. - Both the Aside (something spoken by an actor,
intended to be heard by the audience, but not by
those on stage) and the Chorus secretly provided
information about the characters and plot only to
the audience. - Tragic heroes in both theatres experience their
downfall after the climax and then the dramas
resolution takes place. Tragedies provide
philosophical insight and in particular the
heros self-awareness or enlightenment in the
Ancient Greek Tragedies. Not all Elizabethan
characters are benevolent tragic heroes, Macbeth
for instance is not. The tragic hero could excite
two emotions in the audience fear and pity.
Finally, the restoration of order provided the
experience of Catharsis in both the hero and the
audience.
28Webography
- http//web.eecs.utk.edu/mclennan/Classes/US210/Gr
eek-play.html - http//narrativestructures.wisc.edu/aristotle
- http//academic.reed.edu/humanities/110tech/theate
r.htmlstructure - http//ucbclassics.dreamhosters.com/djm/classes/St
ructure.html - http//www.thefreedictionary.com/PReCEDE
- http//encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/theatron
- http//www.crystalinks.com/greektheater.html
- http//www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/
- http//www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/479892/P
rotestantism - http//www.biography.com/people/william-shakespear
e-9480323 - http//www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/122
- http//www.william-shakespeare.info/william-shakes
peare-globe-theatre.htm - http//skaourisclass.wikispaces.com/TheGlobeThea
ter - http//www.oocities.org/trichard_ca/Globe.html
- http//www.britannica.com/shakespeare/article-2481
50 - http//www.youtube.com/watch?vo978_nEhyMM
- http//www.youtube.com/watch?vC_gby5JoE6glistPL
16D3CC0AB4AB8DCB - http//ed.ted.com/lessons/the-emergence-of-drama-a
s-a-literary-art-mindy-ploeckelmann - http//www.youtube.com/watch?vgDkt1MlLdgc
29Exercises
- When was the Ancient Greek Theatre developed?
- What was the orchestra?
- What was the parodos?
- What was the Skene?
- What were the general features of Ancient Greek
tragedy? - When was Shakespeare born and when did he die?
- In which town was Shakespeare raised?
- Who was the reigning monarch during Shakespeares
life? - Where were his plays performed?
- What were the two names of the Shakespeares
Acting Company? - What were the main differences/similarities
between Ancient Greek and Elizabethan Theater?
30Quizzes
- http//quizlet.com/23777057/test?writtenonmatchi
ngonmult_choiceontfonprompt-with1limit18 - http//quizlet.com/23777057/ancient-greek-theatre-
flash-cards/ - http//www.myvocabulary.com/word-game-puzzles/shak
espeare-vocabulary/definition-match/