+ Greek Drama
+ Drama was born in ancient Greece! 600s B.C. - Greeks were giving choral performances of dancing and singing Performances at festivals honoring Dionysus Later they held drama contests to honor him
+ Thespis (534 B. C.) Defined theater art of acting a part on stage dramatic impersonation of another character than yourself Uncertain whether he was a playwright, an actor, or a priest “ Thespian ” term comes from his name
+ Description of Greek Theater Took place in large hillside amphitheaters held 20, 000 people!! Players included a chorus and their leader Lines were chanted Chorus performed in an “ orchestra ”, not on a raised platform
+ Features of Greek Theater Three Main Portions of Greek Theatre: Skene – Portion of stage where actors performed (included 1- 3 doors in and out) Orchestra – “ Dancing Place ” where chorus sang to the audience Theatron – Seating for audience
+ Greek Stage
+ Deus Ex Machina -Latin for “God From a Machine” -Plot devise developed by Ancient Greeks -An unresolvable problem is suddenly fixed by the unexpected intervention of a new character -“The God would appear on the Skene and solve the drama’s conflict -A devise used to provide the audience with a surprise happy ending
+ Where and how were the dramas performed? …In an amphitheatre …With a chorus who described most of the action. …With masks …With all the fighting and movement going on off stage.
+ Greek Theater (continued) Masks used to represent characters and emotions High-soled boots worn to add height Both of these limited movement
+ Greek Drama (continued) Wore masks to indicate the nature of the characters played. Men played women ’ s roles Same actor appeared in several parts. Of the hundreds of Greek tragedies written, fewer than 35 survive.
+ Masks in Greek Culture
+ The Imporatance of Drama in Greek Culture Greek plays were performed during religious ceremonies held in honor of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and revelry (altars generally on stage) Banks 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
+ Greek Tragedy and Comedy
+ Most Important Era (400s B.C.) Tragedies performed as part of a civic celebration called the City Dionysia Festival lasted several days Prizes given for best tragedy, comedy, acting, and choral singing
+ Theater of Dionysus Located on slope below the Acropolis in Athens Seated 14,000 Circular acting area called orchestra Skene (stage house)
+ Greek Tragedy Tragedy means “ goat song ” (relates to Dionysian rituals) Nearly all surviving tragedies are based on myth Character ’ s struggle against hostile forces ended in defeat and ultimately in death A series of dramatic episodes separated by choral odes (mini- songs). Episodes performed by a few actors - never more than 3 on stage
+ Three Playwrights Aeschylus Most famous for Oresteia Introduced concept of second actor Expanded possibilities for plot
+ Sophocles Innovation of the third actor Most famous for Oedipus Rex
+ Euripides Created the ultimate form of drama Far more naturalistic or human approach in his works Showed interest in psychology through portraits of women
+ Euripides (continued) Medea is most famous work Continuation of the myth of Jason and the Argonauts
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+ Roman Theater Borrowed extensively from Greeks Latin word “ ludus ” – play Chiefly important because it influenced Renaissance playwrights Works of only one author left – Lucius Annaeus Seneca 5 act form-- Elaborate language Revenge as the main idea of the play Confidant
+ Roman Comedy Typical plot – misunderstandings Mistaken identity Free-spending sons deceiving their fathers Gradual decline – actors excommunicated -- rising power of church -- invasions by barbarian tribes
+ Medieval Drama Death of theater after fall of Roman Empire Kept alive only by street players, jugglers, acrobats, and animal trainers
+ Medieval Churches Although against theater during Roman Empire, churches are most responsible for bringing theater back Church needed to establish itself in the community Began using drama to tell stories about religious holidays
+ Liturgical Drama Rebirth of drama through brief plays acted by priests as part of the liturgy (worship service) The Resurrection of Christ was first event dramatized
+ Mystery Plays Written in verse and taught Christian doctrine Presented Biblical characters as if they lived in medieval times
+ Mystery Plays (continued) Setting for play on pageant wagon Wagon drawn through city to various places Actors performed on platform outside wagon
+ Miracle Plays Based on lives of saints rather than scripture Became secular after short period of time
+ Morality Plays Relgious performed “ speeches ” Taught meanings of Biblical passages other than literal ones Changed into plays called interludes Interludes were created strictly for entertainment
+ Renaissance Drama (Italy) Strictly applied Aristotle ’ s rules Spectacular musicals Intermezzo – music and lively entertainment between acts 16 th century - Opera emerges 17 th century – Commedia dell ’ arte Comedy and improv
+ Renaissance Drama Pastoral drama Set in the country Depicted romantic affairs of rustic people, usually shepherds and shepherdesses
+ Renaissance Drama (England) Not bound by rules Elements of farce, morality, disregard for time and place Christopher Marlowe Development of blank verse
+ England Performances Began early afternoon; ended just before dusk Women never on stage; parts played by boys Attended by all classes of society Refreshments sold during performances Audience in a “ holiday ” mood
+ William Shakespeare Father of modern drama Creator of the Globe Theater
+ Shakespeare (Continued) Wrote tragedies, comedies, etc. Unified plot Strong characters and imagery Perfection with verse form and language Captured the spirit of ordinary speech Gave special dignity to characters/situations
+ The Globe Theater One of four major theaters in England – the other three – Swan, Rose, Hope Open-air octagonal amphitheater Seated 3,000 3 stories high Original burned down; was reconstructed before Shakespeare ’ s death
+ Congratulations!!! You have completed the lecture on the history of theater!!!