Egyptian and Hebrew Drama History of Drama

Drama Origins Drama “to do or act” More recent art form because of its complexity People with different skills working together People who gather at one place at one time to see it No specific record of existence The art is something that is done Once it is done it disappears

Origins…continued Originating through storytelling and ritual Impersonations—gestures, facial expressions, words Ritual—religious, summoning gods/nature; welcoming seasons; reenacting great events

Egyptian Drama Egyptian drama dates to 3000 B.C. Main concern was life after death Pyramids were built as tombs for the afterlife

Egyptian “Plays” No special venue Pageant-like Religious Ritualistic

5 Types of Egyptian Plays 1. Pyramid Plays written on tomb walls, included characters, plot & stage directions Showed resurrection of body Done to ensure safe passage to the afterlife 2. Coronation Festival Play performed at the crowning of a new pharaoh Performed by priests

5 Types of Egyptian Plays 3. Heb Sed Celebrated pharaoh's 30th year on the throne Reenacted events from his reign 4. Medicinal Play Evolved around magical healing

5 Types of Egyptian Play 5. Abydos Passion Play Earliest scripted drama presentation recorded Characters: Seth: god of evil Osiris: god of the dead Isis: Osiris’s wife Horus-Osiris and Isis’s son

Plot: Abydos “Passion” Play Seth is jealous of Osiris, tricks him into a coffin, nails it shut and throws it in the Nile. Isis finds the coffin and brings Osiris to life so they can conceive a child. Osiris becomes King of the Dead. Their child, Horus, grows up and defeats Seth to avenge his father’s death. video

Hebrew Drama No reference of definite theater in Bible 2 books have dramatic structure Job Song of Songs J.B. – Archibald MacLeish

The Book of Job While Job is not considered drama, it is sometimes performed in dramatic structure Dramatic readings Dramatic structure Prologue Main Body Epilogue