Greek Drama: Window to the Soul of the Greeks

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Greek DramaWindow to the Soul of the Greeks

• Mr. Oberholtzer
• A-36

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Greek Drama

• Produced in the 5th century BC
• Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides were the most
  famous authors of tragedies
• Tragedies presented moral issues, especially the
  danger of hubris (arrogant overconfidence)
• Conflicts were familial, or between gods and
  humans

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Great Greek Dramatists

• Aeschylus-- born in Elefsina in 525 BC. He was in
  the Battle of Marathon (490) and the Battle of
  Salamis (480). As a dramatist he won 13 first
  prizes. To honor him Athens passed a law
  obligating the city to put on his works every
  year. He died when a bird dropped a turtle on his
  head.
• Sophocles-- born in 497 BC in Colonos, Athens.
  He was both playwright and athlete. During his
  military service he attained the rank of general.
  He increased the number of actors from 2 to 3 and
  the chorus members from 12 to 15. Known for his
  beautiful language. He wrote 123 plays of which
  only 7 survive.
• Euripides-- Born in 480 BC wrote 72 works of
  which 19 are saved.

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Play Performances

• Cast was small and all-male
• No scenery, props or special effects used beyond
  cranes, pillars or wagons
• Masks were used to represent characters
• Plays were performed in open-air theaters with no
  amplification
• Usually performed as part of a festival to
  Dionysis, god of wine
• Presented moral issues and conflicts both
  instructed and entertained!

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The Greek Theater

• Theater composed of 3 major parts The Orchestra,
  the Scene, and the Koilon, or main theater
• Orchestra- circular space where acting took place
• Scene--background, painted where actors emerged
  from
• Koilon-auditorium where patrons sat
• Machines cranes, pillars, platforms

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The Form of the Play

• There were 3 composing elements of Tragedy the
  Prose, the Lyrics and the Dancing
• The Prose began with the Prologos prior to entry
  of the chorus, plot was developed with the
  Epissodes and finished with the Exodus.
• Lyrics--singing between dramatic verses,
  signified change of scene!

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Use of Masks

• Grew out of the Dionysian cult
• Because actors had more than one part, masks were
  necessary
• Masks were needed to help men portray women
• Masks were made of linen, wool or leather had
  natural vocal enhancement built in.
• Masks were ornate and very decorative.
• Masks gave characters a universal look.

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Greek Drama

• Entertained and Educated
• taught moral lessons
• provided inspiration
• expressed the cultural values of the Greeks
• provided the basis of modern drama
• allows for a unique view of the Greeks as people.