1. Introduction to Antigone MR. IANNELLI

2. The Greek Theatre  The Greek theatre was an open-aired amphitheater built on the side of a mountain or a hill.  It contained three parts  Theatron – Where the audience sits. It is a semi-circular row of benches.  Orchestra – Where the chorus performs. The main performance space of the play. Typically circular.  Skene – This is where the actors stored their masks and changed. Raised platform, behind orchestra.

4. Origin of Greek actors  Dithyrambs were originally performed in honor of Dionysus. These had no actors. They were merely poems or hymns sung by people in Greek ceremonial worship to Dionysus.  Originally everyone is involved in a dithyramb. Everyone is singing/dancing around an altar.  Eventually, people start watching the more specialized performers who have prepared verses and passages instead of merely improvising lines.  The specialized performers were called the chorus. The watchers were called the audience.

5. Origin of Greek actors (continued)  Thespis was a Greek poet who was said to be the first actor. Instead of merely talking about Dionysus, he became Dionysus.  Aeschylus added the second actor. These two actors could act together on stage and are able to show dramatic conflict.  Sophocles added the third actor which allowed for a complication in plot.  The chorus was initially the chief theatrical element but eventually individual characters dominated the plays.

6. Greek plays  Plays were performed in honor of Dionysus. Dionysus was the Greek God of wine, fertility, and agriculture.  Plays were produced in the springtime. Grape vines were planted and if Dionysus was pleased with the plays performed, then he would let the vines grow.  Three types of plays  Tragedy – Plays are extremely serious in tone. Tragic in nature.  Comedy – Plays are humorous. Funny.  Satyr – Plays with a mythical half man/half goat. They were especially crude. More lowbrow humor.

7. Greek plays  Actors were only men.  Actors wore masks.  This enabled an actor to be able to play multiple parts  Masks were exaggerated which allowed for the audience to be able to distinguish easily the different characters.  Masks made the voices louder.

8. The Chorus  The chorus in the play had various functions  They represented city elders  They reacted as citizens might.  They commented on the acting.  They interpreted the play and meaning through a series of poems.

9. Sophocles (496-406 BC)  One of the three great Greek tragedians (Other are Aeschylus and Euripides)  Conflict of his plays arise from an individual going against his/her fate.  Majority of the plays deal with an individual choosing some course of action that the chorus and lesser characters do not support.  He wrote over 120 plays. Only 7 plays are still in existence today.