Greek Theatre Notes

Drama was a religious service Grew from rituals honoring Dionysos (the god of wine and fertility) Grew from rituals honoring Dionysos (the god of wine and fertility) Worshipers would dance around an altar, sing hymns and play the flute Worshipers would dance around an altar, sing hymns and play the flute During the 6 th century B.C. these celebrations became an annual festival held in Athens in a large outdoor amphitheater. During the 6 th century B.C. these celebrations became an annual festival held in Athens in a large outdoor amphitheater.

The theater of Dionysos Click on picture for short video of Theatre of Epidaurus ^

Before the big festival The year’s competing playwrights, choruses and actors would march through Athens The year’s competing playwrights, choruses and actors would march through Athens A herald would announce the titles of the competing plays A herald would announce the titles of the competing plays Masked dancers would parade through the streets carrying statues of Dionysos Masked dancers would parade through the streets carrying statues of Dionysos

Dionysos Statue

Dancing worshipers compete Began to compete for prizes (bull or goat) Began to compete for prizes (bull or goat) Thespis transformed the hymns into songs that still honored Dionysos, but also told a story of a famous hero or even another god. Thespis transformed the hymns into songs that still honored Dionysos, but also told a story of a famous hero or even another god. New innovation: One chorus member would step away and play that role. New innovation: One chorus member would step away and play that role. The actor wore a mask and entered into dialogue with the chorus The actor wore a mask and entered into dialogue with the chorus

Drama Born! Aeschylus (playwright) added another actor- creating conflict Aeschylus (playwright) added another actor- creating conflict By the end of the 5 th century, this annual festival, called the Dionysia, became a 4 day extravaganza. By the end of the 5 th century, this annual festival, called the Dionysia, became a 4 day extravaganza. Public Businesses were suspended Public Businesses were suspended Prisoners released Prisoners released 14,000 spectators gathered 14,000 spectators gathered Magistrates competed for prizes in comedy and tragedy Magistrates competed for prizes in comedy and tragedy

Origins Drama grew out of religious rituals honoring Dionysus (son of Zeus) Drama grew out of religious rituals honoring Dionysus (son of Zeus) Dionysus = God of wine and fertility Dionysus = God of wine and fertility Thespis- Created drama by characterization Thespis- Created drama by characterization

The Amphitheatre ~ 6th c. B.C. Semi-circle design Semi-circle design Carved out of stone on a hillside Carved out of stone on a hillside 3 parts of Amphitheatre: 3 parts of Amphitheatre: Skene Skene Orchestra Orchestra Cavea (Auditorium) Cavea (Auditorium) Theater of Dionysus Theater of Dionysus Click on picture for longer video of Theatre of Epidaurus ^

The Actors Actors were all male 1-3 actors with a chorus Chorus = Group of actors that act as a prototype audience Actors wore stylized masks of familiar character types

Masks (called Personas) allowed actors to play multiple roles

Types of Greek Plays 3 Types: 3 Types: Tragedy Tragedy Heroic characters with unhappy endings Heroic characters with unhappy endings Serious treatments of religious and mythic questions Serious treatments of religious and mythic questions Satyr Satyr Comic and lewd treatments of religious and mythic questions. Comic and lewd treatments of religious and mythic questions. Comedy Comedy Ordinary people as characters and happy endings Ordinary people as characters and happy endings

Greek Tragedy Tragedy- A serious drama featuring a noble, dignified character –-often a member of royalty–- who strives to achieve something and is ultimately defeated. Tragedy- A serious drama featuring a noble, dignified character –-often a member of royalty–- who strives to achieve something and is ultimately defeated. Tragic Flaw- (Hamartia) The main character’s character flaw or weakness that causes their downfall. Tragic Flaw- (Hamartia) The main character’s character flaw or weakness that causes their downfall. Hubris- Extreme pride leading to overconfidence. Hubris- Extreme pride leading to overconfidence. Dramatic Irony- When the reader or audience knows something important that the character in a story or drama does not know. Dramatic Irony- When the reader or audience knows something important that the character in a story or drama does not know.

Greek Tragedy Related Vocabulary Catastrophe- The dramatic event that initiates the resolution of the plot in a tragedy. Catastrophe- The dramatic event that initiates the resolution of the plot in a tragedy.dramaticinitiatestragedydramaticinitiatestragedy Catharsis- Due to the character’s catastrophe, the audience experiences a catharsis, or purging of feelings; a cleansing of emotion Catharsis- Due to the character’s catastrophe, the audience experiences a catharsis, or purging of feelings; a cleansing of emotion Periperty- Reversal; action has the opposite effect that intended Periperty- Reversal; action has the opposite effect that intended Anagnorisis- The moment in which the hero makes a discovery that explains previously unexplained events or situations Anagnorisis- The moment in which the hero makes a discovery that explains previously unexplained events or situationsherodiscoveryherodiscovery Pollution- Broken customs or taboos cause person to be tainted; unavoidable offense Pollution- Broken customs or taboos cause person to be tainted; unavoidable offense Mimesis- Imitation of life; a requirement of tragedy Mimesis- Imitation of life; a requirement of tragedy Ate- Mental blindness Ate- Mental blindness

Structure of Plays Prologue- Opening scene of the play Prologue- Opening scene of the play Parados- The 1 st of the chorus’s lyric songs or choral odes Parados- The 1 st of the chorus’s lyric songs or choral odes Exodus- Concluding scene Exodus- Concluding scene Ode- The strophe and antistrophe Ode- The strophe and antistrophe Strophe- chorus chants as it moves from east to west across the stage. Strophe- chorus chants as it moves from east to west across the stage. Antistrophe- portion of an ode sung by the chorus in its returning movement from west to east, in response to the strophe. Antistrophe- portion of an ode sung by the chorus in its returning movement from west to east, in response to the strophe.

Sophocles Born in 495 B.C. about 1 mile NW of Athens Born in 495 B.C. about 1 mile NW of Athens Won 24 first prizes for his plays –the best record of any Greek playwright. Won 24 first prizes for his plays –the best record of any Greek playwright. Produced 123 plays, of which only seven survive today. Produced 123 plays, of which only seven survive today. Actor as well as playwright. Actor as well as playwright. Lived through plague similar to the one that sweeps through the city of Thebes in Oedipus Rex. Lived through plague similar to the one that sweeps through the city of Thebes in Oedipus Rex. During his time anything seemed possible through human effort and reason. During his time anything seemed possible through human effort and reason. Lived to be ninety years old. Lived to be ninety years old. 2 Masterpieces: 2 Masterpieces: Oedipus the King Antigone

The Sphinx and Oedipus Sphinx- Monster with woman’s head and body of lion. Devoured those who tried to pass by that could not answer her riddles. Only Oedipus was able to provide an answer. Some claim that the monster then threw herself down from the rock and died while others believe that Oedipus killed the Sphinx with his spear. Sphinx- Monster with woman’s head and body of lion. Devoured those who tried to pass by that could not answer her riddles. Only Oedipus was able to provide an answer. Some claim that the monster then threw herself down from the rock and died while others believe that Oedipus killed the Sphinx with his spear. What is the creature which walks first on 4 legs, then on 2 legs, and at last on 3 legs, and it’s weakest when it uses the most legs?

Oedipus the King Topics The quest for identity The quest for identity The nature of innocence and guilt The nature of innocence and guilt The nature of moral responsibility The nature of moral responsibility Human will versus fate Human will versus fate The abuse of power The abuse of power

Oedipus Rex & Antigone Basic plot very familiar to Greeks- just like stories about the pilgrims to us Basic plot very familiar to Greeks- just like stories about the pilgrims to us Mythological- explains a belief, ritual, or some mysterious aspect of nature, human suffering, fates that cannot be avoided, and curses that haunt generations Mythological- explains a belief, ritual, or some mysterious aspect of nature, human suffering, fates that cannot be avoided, and curses that haunt generations Written by Sophocles, a famous Greek Playwright. Written by Sophocles, a famous Greek Playwright. Open your books to pg. 688 to read the Oedipus Rex summary Open your books to pg. 688 to read the Oedipus Rex summary

Antigone (the Oedipus sequel)

Survivors of Oedipus the King Oedipus’ daughters: Antigone Antigone Ismene Ismene Oedipus’ Sons: (deceased at beginning of play) Oedipus’ Sons: (deceased at beginning of play) Eteocles Eteocles Polyneices Polyneices Creon (New King) Creon (New King) Haemon (Creon’s son) Haemon (Creon’s son)