Greek Theater
Overview of Greek Theater The land Antigone The Theater
Greece has thousands of inhabited islands and dramatic mountain ranges The Land Greece has thousands of inhabited islands and dramatic mountain ranges
Greece has a rich culture and history The Land Greece has a rich culture and history
Democracy was founded in Greece The Land Democracy was founded in Greece
Patriarchal (male dominated) society The Land Patriarchal (male dominated) society
The Land Philosophy, as a practice, began in Greece (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle)
Located in Europe in the Aegean Sea The Land Located in Europe in the Aegean Sea
The Land
The Land
Overview of Greek Theater The land Antigone The Theater
The Theater
Six Main Portions of Greek Theater: Theatron – Seating for audience The Theater Six Main Portions of Greek Theater: Theatron – Seating for audience
The Theater Six Main Portions of Greek Theater: Orchestra – “Dancing Place” where chorus sang to the audience
Six Main Portions of Greek Theater: The Theater Six Main Portions of Greek Theater: Thymele – altar to Dionysus in center of orchestra where sacrifices were made
The Theater Skene – wooden scene building used as a dressing room. Six Main Portions of Greek Theater: Skene – wooden scene building used as a dressing room.
Parados – entrance to the theater used by the Chorus Six Main Portions of Greek Theater: Parados – entrance to the theater used by the Chorus
Six Main Portions of Greek Theater: The Theater Six Main Portions of Greek Theater: Proskenion – where most of the action took place; also served as a backdrop
The Stage
God of Wine and Partying (Revelry) Dionysus God of Wine and Partying (Revelry)
The Theater Greek plays were performed during religious ceremonies held in honor of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and revelry (altars generally on stage)
The Theater Business would shut down for days, people would travel from all around to see the drama competitions—even prisoners were temporarily released to see the plays
Tragedy means “goat song” (relates to Dionysian rituals) The Theater Tragedy means “goat song” (relates to Dionysian rituals)
The Theater
Where and how were the dramas performed? …In an amphitheatre
…With a chorus who described most of the action. Where and how were the dramas performed? …With a chorus who described most of the action.
Where and how were the dramas performed? ……With masks
Where and how were the dramas performed? Each morning, one of the playwrights presented three tragedies and a satyr play.
That afternoon, another playwright presented a comedy. Where and how were the dramas performed? That afternoon, another playwright presented a comedy.
This went on for three days and then a winner was chosen. Where and how were the dramas performed? This went on for three days and then a winner was chosen.
Major Greek Dramatists Born Wrote Aeschylus 524 B.C. Seven Against Thebes Sophocles 496 B.C. Antigone Oedipus Euripides 480 B.C. Medea
How were the dramas developed? Thespis was the first playwright to tell a story. He had one chorus member step away from the others to play the part of a hero or god.
How were the dramas developed? Aeschylus added a second individual actor to the performance, thus creating the possibility of conflict.
How were the dramas developed? Sophocles adds a third actor; now we have full-blown drama.
Overview of Greek Theatre The land Antigone The stage
Is based on the myth of Oedipus Sophocles’ Antigone Is based on the myth of Oedipus
Sophocles’ Antigone Oedipus is given away by his parents, Laios and Jocasta when they learn from an oracle that their son would kill his father and marry his mother.
The ancient citizens of Greece would sacrifice and pray to an ORACLE. An oracle was a priest or priestess who would send a message from the gods to mortals who brought their requests.
Most famous oracle in Greek mythology. The Oracle at Delphi Most famous oracle in Greek mythology.
Sophocles’ Antigone Oedipus learns of the oracle and believing the king and queen of Corinth are his parents, he leaves to avoid the oracle.
Sophocles’ Antigone Oedipus travels to Thebes, killing Laios on the way. He saves the city from a terrible monster, the Sphinx.
Sophocles’ Antigone Thebes reward him by making him king and giving him the queen to marry.
Sophocles’ Antigone A plague hits the city and the oracle warns that it won’t go away until the killer of King Laios is punished.
Sophocles’ Antigone Oedipus investigates and finds out he killed his father and married his mother.
Oedipus blinds himself and Jocasta kills herself. Sophocles’ Antigone Oedipus blinds himself and Jocasta kills herself.
Set in Thebes (a city in ancient Greece) Sophocles’ Antigone Set in Thebes (a city in ancient Greece)
Antigone is the daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta. Sophocles’ Antigone Antigone is the daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta.
Sophocles’ Antigone Antigone’s brothers, Eteokles and Polyneces, were to rule in alternate years.
Sophocles’ Antigone Eteokles refused to give up the throne for Polyneces at the end of his year.
Polyneces went to Argos and raised an army to gain the throne. Sophocles’ Antigone Polyneces went to Argos and raised an army to gain the throne.
Eteokles and Polyneces killed each other in battle. Sophocles’ Antigone Eteokles and Polyneces killed each other in battle.
Antigone’s uncle, Creon, became king of Thebes. Sophocles’ Antigone Antigone’s uncle, Creon, became king of Thebes.
Sophocles’ Antigone Antigone’s uncle, Creon, gives Eteokles, his ally, a hero’s burial and issues a decree against burying Polyneces.
Sophocles’ Antigone Antigone believes that he is wrong and that both of her brothers should be buried with honor.
The conflict between Antigone and Creon is the basis for the play. Sophocles’ Antigone The conflict between Antigone and Creon is the basis for the play.
Copy Only The Boxed Portion!
The End
Euripides’ Medea Medea is a princess from Colchis Medea marries Jason, who is in Colchis on a quest for the Golden Fleece Medea betrays her father and murders her brother for her love of Jason Medea has magical powers Jason takes Medea back to his homeland, Corinth, where they have children Jason takes another wife, the king of Corinth’s daughter
Jason’s Voyage on the Argo Jason and Medea meet Corinth: Where Jason and Medea settle down
Myths played a key role in Greek drama
The Myths – Why they were written Explained the unexplainable Justified religious practices Gave credibility to leaders Gave hope Polytheistic (more than one god) Centered around the twelve Olympians (primary Greek gods)
Explained the Unexplainable When Echo tried to get Narcissus to love her, she was denied. Saddened, she shriveled to nothing, her existence melting into a rock. Only her voice remained. Hence, the echo!
To justify religious practices Dionysian cults in ancient Greece were founded to worship Dionysus, god of grapes, vegetation, and wine.
To give credibility to leaders The Romans used myths to create family trees for their leaders, enforcing the made-up idea that the emperors were related to the gods and were, then, demigods.
Mount Olympus… …Where the Olympians lived. Who are the Olympians?
The Olympians Are the 12 Main Gods
Temperaments of the Olympians
Zeus King of gods Heaven Storms Thunder lightning
Poseidon Zeus’s brother King of the sea Earthquakes Horses
Hades Brother to Zeus and Poseidon King of the Underworld (Tartarus) Husband of Persphone
Ares God of war
Hephaestus God of fire Craftspeople Metalworkers Artisans
Apollo God of the sun Music Poetry Fine arts Medicine
Hermes Messenger to the gods Trade Commerce Travelers Thieves & scoundrels
Hera Queen of gods Women Marriage Childbirth
Demeter Goddess of Harvest Agriculture Fertility Fruitfulness Mom to Persephone
Hestia Goddess of Hearth Home Community
Athena Goddess of wisdom Practical arts War
Aphrodite Goddess of love and beauty
Artemis Goddess of hunting and the moon.