Greek Drama. Theater Theater was a means for entertainment entertainment religion religion civic loyalty civic loyalty honor to local heroes honor to.

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Presentation transcript:

Greek Drama

Theater Theater was a means for entertainment entertainment religion religion civic loyalty civic loyalty honor to local heroes honor to local heroes social events social events competition competition

Origins of Theater Song and dance was used to honor gods and celebrate special occasions Song and dance was used to honor gods and celebrate special occasions Dionysus: the god of wine; changing of seasons Dionysus: the god of wine; changing of seasons City of Dionysia: religious festival held in spring City of Dionysia: religious festival held in spring Dithyramb: hymn sung to honor the god Dithyramb: hymn sung to honor the god Performed by a masked chorus of about 50 men Performed by a masked chorus of about 50 men Festivals had drama competitions Festivals had drama competitions

Major Playwrights Thespis = “Father of Drama” Thespis = “Father of Drama” Added a character separate from the chorus There could be dialogue, argument, exchange of ideas Aeschylus Aeschylus Added second actor Wrote trilogies on unified themes Sophocles Sophocles Added third actor Fixed number in chorus to 15 Introduced painted scenery Made each play of trilogy separate in nature Most successful in drama competitions (won 24 of 30) Euripides Euripides Reduced participation of chorus in main action Relied heavily on prologues and “deus ex machina” endings Deus ex machina = “god in the machine” (intervention from Heaven) Aristophanes Aristophanes Only comedic playwright Sophocles

Physical Structure of Theater Theaters were not buildings; usually hillsides with wooden (later stone) benches added Theaters were not buildings; usually hillsides with wooden (later stone) benches added Open air Open air

Parts of the Theater Theatron Theatron “seeing place” (where audience sat) “seeing place” (where audience sat) Benches first wooden, later stone Benches first wooden, later stone Orchestra Orchestra 65 feet in diameter 65 feet in diameter Circular dancing place Circular dancing place Chorus and actors performed here Chorus and actors performed here Thymele Thymele Altar to Dionysus in center of orchestra Altar to Dionysus in center of orchestra Skene Skene Building made of wood (later stone) with several doors that opened to the audience Building made of wood (later stone) with several doors that opened to the audience Used as dressing room, prop storage Used as dressing room, prop storage Backdrop to action; built-in scenery (palace, temple, etc), used for entrances/exits of characters Backdrop to action; built-in scenery (palace, temple, etc), used for entrances/exits of characters Proskenion Proskenion Façade (outside) of skene which served as a backdrop Façade (outside) of skene which served as a backdrop Painted scenery could be attached Painted scenery could be attached Parados Parados Entrance to theater used by chorus Entrance to theater used by chorus

Actors and Acting Actor and playwright were usually the same (took leading role) Actor and playwright were usually the same (took leading role) Never more than 3 actors (each changed characters as needed) Never more than 3 actors (each changed characters as needed) Protagonist: main character Protagonist: main character Deuteragonist: second most important character Deuteragonist: second most important character Tritagonist: third most important character Tritagonist: third most important character All male performers (no women; men played female roles) All male performers (no women; men played female roles) Because theaters were so large, actors had to exaggerate movements to be seen Because theaters were so large, actors had to exaggerate movements to be seen

Costumes and Masks Costumes Costumes Tragic actors wore colorful robes Tragic actors wore colorful robes Chorus wore conventional costumes (soldiers, priests, mourners, even frogs, birds, or wasps—in comedies) Chorus wore conventional costumes (soldiers, priests, mourners, even frogs, birds, or wasps—in comedies) High boots with raised soles High boots with raised soles Masks Masks All participants except the musician wore All participants except the musician wore Began as realistic human faces Began as realistic human faces Became less realistic (exaggeration) Became less realistic (exaggeration) Made of wool, linen, cork, wood; none have survived Made of wool, linen, cork, wood; none have survived Identified age, gender, and emotion Identified age, gender, and emotion Exaggerated features: large eyes, open mouth Exaggerated features: large eyes, open mouth

Mask of Dionysus Mask of warrior Mask of philosopher Mask of woman

The Chorus Chanted, danced, commented on action of play Chanted, danced, commented on action of play Accompanied by single musician (played aulos: pipe) Accompanied by single musician (played aulos: pipe) Sets overall mood and expresses theme Sets overall mood and expresses theme Adds beauty through song and dance Adds beauty through song and dance Gives background information Gives background information Divides action and offers reflections on events Divides action and offers reflections on events Choragos Choragos Leader of chorus Leader of chorus Sometimes involved in dialogue Sometimes involved in dialogue Questions, advises, expresses opinions Questions, advises, expresses opinions Usually represents typical viewer’s reaction to events of play Usually represents typical viewer’s reaction to events of play

Dramatic Conventions Unity Unity Action: simple plot Action: simple plot Time: single day Time: single day Place: one scene throughout Place: one scene throughout Messenger Messenger Tells of news happening away from scene Tells of news happening away from scene Violence did not occur onstage; messenger would describe in gory detail Violence did not occur onstage; messenger would describe in gory detail Limitations Limitations Continuous presence of chorus “on stage” Continuous presence of chorus “on stage” No intermission No intermission No artificial lighting No artificial lighting No curtains No curtains Few props (usually for character identification: swords, sticks, etc) Few props (usually for character identification: swords, sticks, etc)

Tragedy The fall of a great man (or woman) The fall of a great man (or woman) Tragic hero: main character whose downfall is the result of a tragic flaw Tragic hero: main character whose downfall is the result of a tragic flaw Purpose: to inspire audience to reexamine their own lives, define beliefs, etc. Purpose: to inspire audience to reexamine their own lives, define beliefs, etc.