Greek Tragedies and Writers Vincent Bravo 2 nd Period

General Greek Tragedies Greek Tragedies usually end in misfortune. The main character usually dies in the end. Originally written with the intent to be performed onstage. “Most Greek tragedies are based on mythology or history and deal with characters’ search for the meaning of life and the nature of the gods.” (Robinson) Tragedies were usually performed during March and April, in honor of the Greek god Dionysus. The productions occurred as a sort of contest between the three great Tragic writers. Each writer presented four works: three tragedies followed by a comic piece, called a satyr play.

Writers Greek Tragedies Aeschylus One of the three ancient Greek tragic writers; often called the “father of tragedy.” Only seven of his tragedies remain intact: The Persians, Seven against Thebes, The Suppliants, Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, The Eumenides, and Promotheus Bound. Estimated to have written between seventy and ninety plays.

Writers Greek Tragedies Sophocles Estimated to have written around 120 plays, of which only seven completely survived. Ajax, Antigone, Trachinian Women, Oedipus the King, Electra, Philoctetes, and Oedipus at Colonus. Introduced the third actor of a play. Credited with introducing scenery painting. His plays won more competitions than Aeschylus or Euripides.

Writers Greek Tragedies Euripides The last of the three ancient tragic writers of ancient Greece. Around eighteen of his works have remained intact. “Euripides is known primarily for having reshaped the formal structure of Athenian tragedy by portraying strong female characters and intelligent slaves and by satirizing many heroes of Greek mythology.” Euripides wrote in a more modern style, focusing on the realism of his characters. “Euripides is particularly known for employing the literary device known as deus ex machina, whereby a god or goddess abruptly appears at drama’s end to provide a contrived solution to an intractable problem.

Actors Greek Tragedies Three actors were required for a tragedy. Male actors had to play female roles because women were not allowed to take part. The use of masks allowed actors to play multiple roles. Actors had to, not only speak their script, but occasionally sing.

Festival Greek Tragedies The Athenian theater was part of their religious festival, and not a business enterprise. It was funded by the Athenian state. Three tragic writers were chosen to present four works at the City Dionysia, a festival in honor of the Greek god Dionysus. The writers were ranked by a panel of judges, pitting them in a competition with one another.

Citation Sources 1.Robinson, Scott R. "Theatre and Drama in Ancient Greece." Department of Theatre Arts. Central Washington University, Web. 1 Jan AbleOne Education Network. "Introduction to Greek Tragedy." Classics Technology Center. AbleMedia, Web. 1 Jan "Tragedy." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., 17 Dec Web. 1 Jan

Homer Greek Writers c. 800 BC – c. 750 BC His works included The Iliad and The Odyssey. “ Both books are considered landmarks in human literature and Homer is therefore often cited as the starting point of Western literary and historical tradition.” No historical records of Homer have been found, shrouding his life in mystery. Homer’s epics were originally written to be passed down orally.

Aesop Greek Writers c. 620 BC – c. 560 BC His stories were passed down through word of mouth, not being written down for 200 years. Believed to be a slave to a citizen named “Iadmon” at Samos. “The name "Aesop" is a variant of "Acthiop," which is a reference to Ethiopia in ancient Greek” Stories usually featured animals with human characteristics. Believed to have been thrown down from a cliff as a punishment for stealing a gold cup from Delphi temple.

Herodotus Greek Writers c. 484 BC – 425 BC Referred to as the “Father of History”. First proper historian. Born in the Greek colony Halicarnassus. Wrote Histories, where he tried, to the best of his ability, to present information about the Persian Wars. Herodotus was friends with Sophocles and Pythagoras. Herodotus was exiled to the island of Samos for helping in the rebellion against their foreign rulers.

Aristotle Greek Writers 384 BC – 322 BC Wrote on many subjects, such as philosophy and biology. Taught by Plato, and later, taught Alexander the Great. Set up his own school, the Lyceum. “Aristotle is said to have written 150 philosophical treatises.” “The 30 that survive touch on an enormous range of philosophical problems, from biology and physics to morals to aesthetics to politics.” To Aristotle, the universe was eternal; it had no beginning or end. Change was cyclical; for example, the water cycle.

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