Ancient Greece Background

Government and Politics Greek City States Greek City States –Called a “polis” –Athens and Sparta the most powerful –Lead to much violence and warring

The Good Life Philosophy, Education, and Literature extremely important Philosophy, Education, and Literature extremely important Philosophy derives from Greek word meaning “love of wisdom” Philosophy derives from Greek word meaning “love of wisdom” Stressed learning about the world at large – great advances in science, medicine, art, philosophy Stressed learning about the world at large – great advances in science, medicine, art, philosophy

Acropolis

Erechtheum

Sculpture

Literature

Greek Drama Greeks saw drama as more than just entertainment; it was part of religious festivals and designed to contribute to the overall good health of the community Drama and poetry were a type of learning experience for the Greek people – stressed the morals, values, and traditions

Greek Drama At the Theatre – –15,00 spectators at a time – –gestures exaggerated and dramatic to be seen – –only men performed and all wore masks and elaborate costumes – –very few props – only used to identify – –open air w/ natural light – –Chorus – groups of people in the orchestra a. danced and chanted between scenes b. commented on the action and expressed social and religious views of the time c. a kind of moral compass, telling the audience what to be thinking and feeling

Tragic Hero A Tragic Hero (according to Aristotle) – –Noble stature and greatness   Ex: King, military hero – –Should still be good and honorable   Must be believable, but not perfect   Audience must be able to identify with hero

Tragic Hero – –Must experience a downfall due to some error in judgment or character flaw   Hamartia: “tragic flaw”   Often a hero’s hamartia is hubris: overconfidence or overblown pride   He is relatable and a generally “good” character, but never evil   You should feel for the character, but not be completely distraught – –Punishment outweighs the crime

Tragic Hero – –Through the hero’s fall, will come awareness and self-discovery – –Audience should not feel depressed afterwards   One function of tragedy is to feel pity, fear and other emotions through catharsis Catharsis: emotional release through reading or watching another experience same emotions

Style Tone is over the top and elevated and highly formal in language Tone is over the top and elevated and highly formal in language Traditionally told in the oral tradition, which means they were memorized and sung along to musical accompaniment, usually a harp Traditionally told in the oral tradition, which means they were memorized and sung along to musical accompaniment, usually a harp Used repetition again to stay in rhythm and aid memory Used repetition again to stay in rhythm and aid memory Repetition pleased audiences, like a song chorus Repetition pleased audiences, like a song chorus

Style Style In Medias Res (in the middle of things) In Medias Res (in the middle of things) –Many major events have already taken place and are later revealed in flashbacks –Audiences were already familiar with the story, only needed to develop theme The Invocation of the Muse The Invocation of the Muse –Muses are nine goddesses who were believed to preside over the arts and sciences –Sophocles calls on the Muse to inspire him with the material he needs to write the story

The Legacy of Greek Literature Archetype – universally understood symbol or character that has been copied over and over again so that audiences know what to expect

Archetype Examples The Villain

The Hero

The Wise Old Man

The Damsel in Distress

Other Archetypes The Underdog The Underdog The Trickster/Fool The Trickster/Fool The Witch The Witch The Temptress The Temptress The Mother Figure The Mother Figure The Father Figure The Father Figure

Gods and Goddesses Zeus (Jupiter) – King of the gods, god of the sky and of thunder

Aphrodite (Venus) goddess of love, lust and beauty

Apollo (Apollo) god of music, medicine, health and archery god of music, medicine, health and archery

Ares (Mars) God of war, murder, and blood shed

Athena (Minerva) Goddess of wisdom, warfare, strategy, handicrafts, reason – wife to Zeus Goddess of wisdom, warfare, strategy, handicrafts, reason – wife to Zeus

Demeter (Ceres) Goddess of fertility, agriculture, grain, and harvest Goddess of fertility, agriculture, grain, and harvest

Dionysus (Bacchus) God of wine, parties, and merriment God of wine, parties, and merriment

Artemis (Diana) Goddess of the hunt and of all wild things, and the moon Goddess of the hunt and of all wild things, and the moon

Hades (Pluto) God of the underworld and of wealth God of the underworld and of wealth

Haphaestus (Vulcan) God of fire and the forge (makes weapons and armor) God of fire and the forge (makes weapons and armor)

Hera (Juno) Goddess of marriage, women, childbirth Goddess of marriage, women, childbirth

Hermes (Mercury) God of flight, thieves, mischief, commerce God of flight, thieves, mischief, commerce

Hestia (Vesta) Goddess of hearth and home Goddess of hearth and home

Poseidon (Neptune) God of the sea and of earthquakes God of the sea and of earthquakes