Greek Theatre

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Greek Theatre
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Origins of Drama

• Drama originated from religious ceremonies
• main feature of the religious festivals given in
  honor of Dionysus

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Origins of Drama

• After work, people of Greece sang and danced in a
  circle to worship their gods.
• These circle dances became the dithyramb, a
  religious ritual performed by a chorus of men
  wearing masks.

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Origins of Drama

• Thespis ( 6th Century B.C.)
• Considered the first playwright Father of
  Drama
• Introduced first actor, and thus, dialogue
• thespian means actor

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Origins of Drama

• Aeschylus (525 426 B.C.)
• added a second actor in the early 5th century
• wrote trilogies on unified themes

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Origins of Drama

• Sophocles (496 406 B.C.)
• added a third actor in the late 5th century
• fixed number of chorus members to fifteen
• introduced painted scenery
• wrote over 100 plays, of which only 7 have
  survived

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Origins of Drama

• Euripides (486 406 B.C.)
• was less formal and wrote about the underdog
• reduced participation of chorus in main action
• relied heavily on prologues

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Structure of Greek Theater
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Structure of Greek Theater

• theatron where the audience sat
• orchestra circular dancing place where actors
  and chorus performed
• skene building used as a dressing room
• parados entrance to the theater used by the
  chorus

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Actors and Acting

• Hypocrites the answerer
• 1st dramas (Thespis) actor and playwright
  were originally the same
• playwright took leading role
• never had more than three actors playing all
  roles
• all male performers

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Actors and Acting

• Costumes and Masks
• long, flowing robes colored symbolically
• high boots, often with raised soles (heroic
  parts)
• larger-than-life masks made of linen, wood, and
  cork
• Identified age, gender, emotion
• Exaggerated features large eyes, open mouth

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Elements of Greek Tragedy

• Tragedy play in which main character, tragic
  hero, suffers a downfall.
• Tragic hero character whose downfall is brought
  about by a flaw within his/her own character.
• neither totally good nor totally evil
• usually of high birth (not a commoner)

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Elements of Greek Tragedy

• hamartia the tragic flaw weakness of character
  or error in judgment which causes the downfall
  of the hero (usually hubris)
• hubris excessive pride arrogance
• anagnorisis recognition or discovery on the
  part of the hero change from ignorance to
  knowledge
• the hero MUST possess this knowledge its what
  brings about the suffering

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Elements of Greek Tragedy

• peripetia reversal of fortune
• nemesis fate that cannot be escaped
• catharsis release of emotions

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The Oedipal Trilogy

• Oedipus Rex
• The story of Oedipus birth, his upbringing, his
  marriage (to his mother, unbeknownst to either
  bride or groom), their 4 children, and how they
  learn of and deal with their incest.

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The Oedipal Trilogy

• Oedipus at Colunus
• The continuation of Oedipus life once he goes
  into his self-imposed exile, with his dutiful
  daughter, Antigone, at his side.
• His two sons battle each other for control of
  Thebes.

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The Oedipal Trilogy

• Antigone
• The final piece (but the first play actually
  written) of the story of the line of Oedipus.
  This tells of the aftermath of the battle between
  the brothers, Seven Against Thebes, and how the
  remaining family members proceed.