Introduction to Greek Drama

Origin of Drama Drama was developed by the ancient Greeks during celebrations honoring Dionysus. Dionysus is the god of the vine, which produces grapes for wine. Wine was associated with resurrection and suffering. With the inclusion of many choral songs, the early Greek plays resembled what we call opera today.

Festival of Dionysus The Festival of Dionysus took place in Athens over the course of five days in March or April. During the first day, the Greeks held a procession honoring Dionysus in which all citizens participated. During the festival’s second day, the choral songs were performed. On the last three days of the festival, the actors performed three tragedies, one satyr (satire – mock heroic tragedies) play, and one comedy.

Festival of Dionysus The archon, a state official, selected three poets to compete for the prizes in the tragedy division. A jury of 10 citizens selected the winning poet The playwright served as a sort of teacher, offering plays for the ethical and moral improvement of his fellow citizens to insure the spiritual survival of the community.

The Greek Theatre Theatron = area of seats for the audience hollowed out from the hillside Orchestra = large area in front of the stage where the chorus sang and danced Thymele = the altar centered in the orchestra used for sacrifices to Dionysus Parados = walled walkway used by the chorus to enter and exit the stage Pro-scenium = a long, low stage behind the orchestra Skene = building that contained the actors’ dressing rooms

The Greek Theatre The Greek Theatre was similar to an outdoor stadium that could hold between 15,000 – 20,000 people.

Greek Theater

Greek Theater

Greeks’ Special Effects There were no curtains, intermissions, lights, or microphones. Consequently, all scenes took place in daylight settings, all scene changes had to be built into the actor’s dialogue, and the chorus and actors had to have strong voices. Deus ex machina (meaning: “god from the machine”) = type of crane used for suspending figures who portrayed gods. Eccylema = moveable or revolving platform.

Greeks’ Special Effects

The Actors The Greek name for an actor was “hypocrite.” As there were only 3 actors, they wore masks to play multiple parts. All actors were men, because it was considered undignified for women to appear on stage Actors wore padded costumes, wigs, and high-heeled boots to make them taller and give them added dignity and power. Actors had to be able to speak in poetic language and sing using a loud and clear voice.

The Chorus The chorus was led by a conductor and consisted of singers and dancers who moved and sang together, acting as one character. A Choral Ode was chanted or sung in unison. Originally, they Chorus started out with 50 people, but Sophocles fixed the number at 15.

The Chorus The playwright used the chorus and their songs to: Add the beauty of song and dance. Set the mood or express the main themes of the play by commenting on the action. Create a bridge between the actors and the audience. Converse with and give advice to the actors. Tell about events that have already happened in the past. Foretell the future by interpreting the actions of the actors.

The Stories Originally, the stories were hymns and prayers honoring the gods, especially Dionysus. Over time, the content of the stories changed to legends of Greek leaders and heroes.

Three Unities of Drama According to Aristotle: Unity of Action: play covers one plot/ action with minimal subplots Unit of Place: Events of plot all occur in one location Unit of Time: Events of plot all occur within one day

Aristotle’s View on Tragedy Aristotle, the Greek philosopher, was the first to define tragedy, and critics have argued about it ever since. Aristotle’s definition of tragedy: to arouse pity and fear in the audience so that we may be purged, or cleansed, of these unsettling emotions (catharsis)

Greek Tragic Hero Tragic hero/heroine: A character who is neither completely good nor completely bad but rather somewhere in the middle. Someone “who is highly renowned and prosperous,” which in Aristotle’s day meant a member of a royal family or someone who holds a high or elevated place in society.

Greek Tagic Hero Tragic hero/heroine continued: The character must possess a tragic flaw (hamartia) in his/her personality that is taken to an extreme and impairs his/her judgment. Hubris: arrogance or overweening pride which causes the hero’s transgression against the gods is usually the tragic flaw Hamartia leads to the hero’s/ heroine’s own downfall (peripeteia/ a major catastrophe). By the end of the play, the tragic hero recognizes his/her own error, accepts its tragic consequences, and is humbled (anagnorisis).

Structure of a Greek Tragedy Prologue – the actors present the opening situation on stage Parados – the entering song and dance of the chorus Episodes – periods of more action by the actors Stasima/Stasimon – choral ode or song commenting on the action Exodus – the last action of the play

SOPHOCLES Sophocles was born in Colonus, Greece in 497 BCE He died in 406 BCE at approximately 90 years of age. He was a successful musician, athlete, and respected playwright. He held several priesthoods, was imperial treasurer in 443 BCE, and a general in 440 BCE

Sophocles as a Playwright In the drama festivals of his day, Sophocles won the first place prize for best play 24 times! He wrote more than a hundred plays but only seven remain. The most famous of his plays are: Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, Antigone, and Electra.

Sophocles’ Impact on Drama Sophocles expanded the format of drama by adding a third actor. He increased the amount of dialogue within a play. He decreased the importance of the chorus by fixing its number at 15. He invented painted scenery and added flute music in the background of his plays. He made each play of a trilogy stand by itself as a separate story.

Antigone Antigone is the third of Sophocles’ Theban plays. Antigone is Oedipus’ daughter, princess of Thebes. She breaks the law to bury her brother who has been labeled a traitor by the king, her uncle.

Oedipus Rex Background The Oracle of Delphi, a prophet, tells King Laios and Queen Jocasta that their future son will kill his father and marry his mother. With the fear of this prophesy never far from their minds, the King Laios and Queen Jocasta abandon their son, Oedipus, shortly after his birth. Though he had been left for dead, Oedipus was found and raised by the King and Queen of Corinth

Oedipus Background Years later, Oedipus meets a traveller on the road. An argument begins, and Oedipus kills the traveller in his rage. Though he did not know it, the traveller that Oedipus killed was his birth father, the King of Thebes. Shortly he unknowingly kills his father, Oedipus defeats the Sphinx and is rewarded with the Kingdom of Thebes and its queen.

Oedipus Background Oedipus marries the Queen of Thebes, Jocasta, not knowing that she is really his mother. Oedipus and Jocasta have four children together, Antigone, Ismene, Eteocles, and Polyneices.

Oedipus Background Soon, Oedipus and Jocasta discover the truth about their biological relationship. Upon learning the truth, Jocasta hangs herself. Oedipus, sickened by the news, gouges out his own eyes before permanently exiling himself.

Oedipus’ Sons Before his death, Oedipus leaves orders that his two sons share the role of king. One of his sons, Eteocles, refuses to step down. Consequently, Polyneices attacks Thebes with an army. Both brothers die in battle. Creon (Jocasta’s brother) is declared King.