Cult of Dionysus Maenad Satyr Dionysus

Greek theatres developed over time Every seat had a decent view Most were situated overlooking scenic views Every Greek polis (city state) had one Always used for dramatic performances Sometimes used for democratic assemblies All eventually made of stone Acoustically constructed so that a whisper could be heard in every seat Orchestra: circular space where the chorus stood in front of the main action on the stage Skene: Originally a tent it became the stage on which the principal actors stood

Theatre of Dionysus: Athens Theatre at Epidaurus

Theatre at Epidavros Eisodos Orchestra Skene Exodos Altar in centre Stone banked seating

Theatre at Epidavros Plan

Origins of Greek Drama Early Greek drama was simply religious dance Later stories concerning the festival were added to the dances – City Dionysia chorus of satyrs A principal actor was then used to speak to the audience in between choral dances - Thespis One actor became two and then three allowing for more complicated stories The chorus leader often conversed with the actors while moralizing on the story separately Sophocles added scenery and scenes

Masks Masks were worn by actors to convey different emotions of a character Also to show different characters Men only were the actors Masks rather than costumes were the elaborate designs in a tragedy, less so in comedy

Types of Drama Tragedy – Primarily mythical stories teaching a moral lesson to the audience through the main character’s reactions to events & people Comedy – Wide ranging between contemporary political satire to mythical stories given a humorous slant. Often very coarse humour. Satyr plays – Farces and burlesque versions of myths involving half goat Satyrs, coarse language & gestures Dithyrambs – Chorus dances set to music on some mythical theme

Dramatic devices Greek theatres had two pieces of machinery Mechane – A crane that swung characters around the skene into view above the stage It was used to present gods often appearing to solve otherwise insoluble problems It gave rise to the term deus ex machina Ekkyklema – A mini stage wheeled into the orchestra through the central door of the skene Off stage events were presented to the audience, actors and chorus in the form of a tableau Other props such as statues or altars would be on the skene There was no curtain

Tragedy- Song of the Goat

The Tragedians Aeschylus Sophocles Euripides

Tragedy structure Prologue introducing the action Parados – entry of the chorus from the parados Episodes – scenes of action central to plot Stasima – Chorus songs separating the three or more episodes and relating to action or moralising to audience with mythical references Exodos – closing, usually moralizing, song of the chorus – in Euripides’ plays it is often given by the principal cathartic character

Tragic Devices Mimesis – simulated representation on stage allows the audience to appreciate the drama Catharsis – a ritual cleansing that the hero has to go through to be absolved of his crimes Anagnorisis – recognition by the hero of what has occurred (often involving gods’ will) – usually needed to allow catharsis to happen Peripeteia – reversal of fortune: the hero has to suffer to then achieve anagnorisis & catharsis Hubris – pride or arrogance leading to speech or action against the gods which is punished

Greek Comedy Old Comedy – Crude, political, toilet humour, sexual jokes, gods on stage, crazy costumes, animals personified, satire Old Comedy New Comedy Aristophanes Menander New (& Roman) Comedy – Everyday situations, family drama, clever slaves vs. stupid masters, lovers separated, young men pursuing women, household situations, few political comments