Greek Drama Mrs. Burhenn

Drama Drama is basically another word for play, as in “Let’s go see a play!” Like other literary works, it has a plot, setting, characters, conflict and theme. However, drama has a few elements that are not found in other works of literature.

Elements of Drama Dialogue: what characters say to each other. More important in drama than in most other forms of literature that include dialogue. Stage Directions: may describe set, setting, props, sound effects, lighting, and actions of characters. Plays are divided into acts and scenes, instead of chapters. Chorus: a group of dancers and singers who participated in religious festivals and dramatic performances

Chorus, cont… Originally, the songs sung by the chorus made up the bulk of the play, but later became less central and eventually used to take up time between acts

What does the chorus do? Reacts to events as they happen Provides background information Shows the audience how to react Provides a go-between for audience and characters. Tell audience about character’s fears

What does the chorus represent? The chorus represents the public opinion of the story.

How does the chorus communicate? The chorus sings their lines. They can communicate with the audience as well as the actors.

Greek Drama Greek Drama typically is divided into two sub- genres: Comedy and Tragedy Comedy: a play that deals with its subject matter in a light, familiar or satirical manner. Tragedy: a play in which the main character suffers some sort of downfall.

Tragedy! Main character suffers a downfall. Character, called a tragic hero, usually has a lot to lose—i.e. a king or someone of importance. Downfall is sometimes caused by outside forces and sometimes causes by the hero’s own doing.

Tragedy! Tragic Flaw: part of the tragic hero/main character that leads to his/her ruin or sorrow. Doesn’t keep audience from liking the hero. Isn’t always a character defect.

Sophocles Sophocles was born in Colonus in 495 B.C.E. He was schooled in the arts, and gained notoriety as a performer when he was 15 years old. He eventually wrote 120 plays, but only seven exist today in their entirety. Sophocles altered many things about Greek drama, including the number of actors, the number of chorus members, painted scenery, and the types of songs the chorus sang.

Sophocles cont’d Sophocles was also a general in the army, a negotiator in the Peloponnesian War, a priest, and a statesman. His plays frequently dealt with moral issues, and a man’s place in the cosmic order of the world. He died in 406 B.C.E., and his death was mourned by many for a long time. A shrine was built and sacrifices were made in his memory.