Greek Theater

Overview of Greek Theater The land Antigone The Theater

The Land Greece has thousands of inhabited islands and dramatic mountain ranges

The Land Greece has a rich culture and history

The Land Democracy was founded in Greece

The Land Patriarchal (male dominated) society

The Land Philosophy, as a practice, began in Greece (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle)

The Land Located in Europe in the Aegean Sea

The Land

Overview of Greek Theater The land Antigone 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

The Theater Six Main Portions of Greek Theater: Thymele – altar to Dionysus in center of orchestra where sacrifices were made

The Theater Six Main Portions of Greek Theater: Skene – wooden scene building used as a dressing room.

The Theater Six Main Portions of Greek Theater: Parados – entrance to the theater used by the Chorus

The Theater Six Main Portions of Greek Theater: Proskenion – where most of the action took place; also served as a backdrop

The Stage

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

The Theater Tragedy means “goat song” (relates to Dionysian rituals)

The Theater

Where and how were the dramas performed? … In an amphitheatre

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.

Where and how were the dramas performed? That afternoon, another playwright presented a comedy.

Where and how were the dramas performed? This went on for three days and then a winner was chosen.

Major Greek Dramatists DramatistBornWrote Aeschylus524 B.C. Seven Against Thebes Sophocles496 B.C. Antigone Oedipus Euripides480 B.C. Medea

How were the dramas developed? 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

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.

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.

Sophocles’ Antigone Oedipus blinds himself and Jocasta kills herself.

Sophocles’ Antigone Set in Thebes (a city in ancient Greece)

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.

Sophocles’ Antigone Polyneces went to Argos and raised an army to gain the throne.

Sophocles’ Antigone Eteokles and Polyneces killed each other in battle.

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.

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 1.Explained the unexplainable 2.Justified religious practices 3.Gave credibility to leaders 4.Gave hope 5.Polytheistic (more than one god) 6.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.