Introduction to Ancient Greek Theater
Informational Video Link to An Introduction to Greek Theatre by the National Theatre Discover: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSRLK7SogvE
ANCIENT GREEK THEATER When ancient Greek theatre is referenced, it normally means Greek theatre in Athens during the 5th century BCE. These early dramas did more than simply perform a story; they were stylized dramas with meanings behind the obvious.
Four Qualities of Greek Drama performed in honor of Dionysus -- god of wine, fertility, and rebirth closely associated with religion -- stories based on myth or history competitive -- prizes awarded -- actors and playwrights competed choral -- singing seems to have been an important part of the performance (chorus of men -- varying in size from 3 to 50)
Elements of the theater Plays had 5 acts (Scenes), with interludes supplied by chorus Costumes were simple, with the basic gown called himation and the tunic draped on top of that called the chiton. The chiton would often suggest social status. Three actors, all male: 1st actor was the Protagonist (meaning first contestant in a duel) 2nd actor was the Deuteragonist (second contestant) 3rd actor was the Tritagonist (third contestant). Characterization was dependent upon masks, which showed age, sex, social status, and emotional states of the characters. Movement was stylized and not very realistic. Dance and song were often used.
chorus 12 (number might vary) homogenous members who comment on the dramatic action in a collective voice. told of the spectacle that the audience had to imagine served as an actor supplied transitions was the ideal spectator provided mood and heightened emotions Choragos: the head chorus member who could enter the story as a character able to interact with the characters of a play.
Orchestra: The round or semi-circular “place for dancing,” in a Greek theater, that had a sacrificial altar at the center. Skene: A non-permanent building placed at the back of the orchestra. It served as a backstage area. It could represent a palace or cave or anything in between and had a door from which actors could emerge Proskenion: The wooden facade of the skene or a special decorative wall erected in front of it. In a tragedy, in which the action often took place in front of a palace or temple, the proskenion usually represented a roofed colonnade of such a building. Theatron: The audience’s seating Parodos/Exodus: A parodos was when the chorus and actors made their entrances from either side into the orchestra. An exodus was when the chorus and actors made their exits from either side into the orchestra. Strophe / Antistrophe: Choral songs were divided into stanzas: strophe (turn) and antistrophe (turn the other way) that were sung while the chorus moved (danced). While singing the strophe, an ancient commentator tells us they moved from left to right; while singing the antistrophe, they moved from right to left.
Types of Plays Comedy - A light-hearted play that usually moves from discord to harmony - usually ends in success, happiness, union/marriage. “Comedy” is derived from the word odé and means “song.” Tragedy - A serious play that usually moves from harmony to discord with a sad or disastrous ending. The main character, tragic hero, is brought to ruin or suffers extreme sorrow, especially as a consequence of a tragic flaw, a moral weakness, or an inability to cope with unfavorable circumstances. (Recounts an individual’s - the tragic hero’s - death or downfall, beginning high and ending low.) Tragedy received its name from how it was performed. “Tragedy” is derived from the word tragos which means “goat.” A tragedy had actors who wore goatskins and danced like goats. The best performers were given a kid goat as a prize. Subjects of Greek plays included: violence, social and ethical issues, family, war, murder, lust, and betrayal.
PLOT STRUCTURE Each of the incidents in the play is a part of a tightly constructed cause-and-effect chain.
Plot Structure Cont’d Traditionally, a tragedy is divided into five acts. The first act introduces the characters in a state of happiness, or at the height of their power, influence, or fame. The second act typically introduces a problem or dilemma, which reaches a point of crisis in the… third act, but which can still be successfully averted. In the fourth act, the main characters fail to avert or avoid the impending crisis or catastrophe, and this disaster occurs. The fifth act traditionally reveals the grim consequences of that failure. Unity of time, place, and action: Ideally, all action occurs within 24 hours—no time elapses; all action occurs in one place—no “compressed” geography; not even multiple settings on stage; one main plot (few to no sub-plots).