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Greek Drama Ms. Mahaney.

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Presentation on theme: "Greek Drama Ms. Mahaney."— Presentation transcript:

1 Greek Drama Ms. Mahaney

2 Background Information
Dionysus, Greek god of death & rebirth, drama. Ceremonial spring worship with large chorus of 50 celebrants Thespis, the first actor to speak apart from the chorus (thespian) Hero now possible! Aeschylus, the second actor - the antagonist arrives! Sophocles adds a third actor. Three actors play all roles, with only change of costume and masks. Euripides – more realistic characters and complex plots Seneca (Roman) – Divided the play into 5 episodes (acts)

3 Drama festivals Festivals of state religion lasting 5-6 days
Three poets chosen to compete Each presents three plays and one “satyr” First contest (534 B.C.) won by Thespis Sophocles won the most

4 Aeschylus 525 - 456 B.C. Wrote 90 plays 13 first prizes
7 plays survive in full “Father of Tragedy” Contributions: Added costumes Added second actor Reduced chorus to 12 Famous plays include: Seven Against Thebes Prometheus Bound Orestia Agammemnon

5 Euripedes: 480 - 406 B.C. Wrote 92 plays, 4 first prizes Provocative!
Rational (more interested in men than in gods) Realist (social concerns) Famous plays include: The Trojan Women Iphegenia at Aulis Medea

6 Sophocles: 496 - 456 B.C. Born at Colonus; general & priest
Wrote 23 plays; 20 first prizes Seven plays survive Contributions: Added third actor Increased chorus to 15 Introduced scene painting Abandoned the trilogy Famous plays include: Antigone Oedipus Rex Electra “Aeschylus composed correctly without knowing it; Euripedes portrayed men as they are; I portray men as they ought to be.”

7 The Amphitheater Hollowed-out hillside Amazing acoustics
Seats of honor Capacity up to 17,000 Orchestra: choral dancing place Altar for sacrifices prior to performance Skene: dressing room for the actors Proscenium: façade of the skene, carried scenery, three doors, theologion (platform for the gods) Parados: entry and exit of the chorus Photo from

8 Conventions of Greek Drama
Outdoor scene, taking place away from the action at the heart of the play Ubiquitous messenger reveals the action (often the leader of the chorus) Use of “machine” (deus ex machina -a previously intractable problem is suddenly and abruptly solved, usually with the contrived introduction of either characters, abilities, or objects not mentioned before within the storyline. It is generally considered to be a poor storytelling technique because it undermines the story's internal logic. ) Conventionalized acting No violence portrayed on stage, only reported Three unities: time (one day), place (one place), action (one character) No curtains, no intermission Masks: megaphones, stylized, larger than life for gods

9 Elements of Greek Tragedy
Greek tragedy is always in verse; speech of actors is iambic trimeter Stichomythia ( a technique in verse drama in which single alternating lines, or half-lines, are given to alternating characters) Greek tragedy is based upon heroic legends, involving gods and fate Arisotle’s definition of tragedy notes that tragedy must arouse both pity and fear Tragedy consists of “disaster, defeat, and destiny”

10 The Structure of Tragedy
Prologue: the action before the entrance of the chorus Parados: the entering dance of the chorus Episodes: the action between choral odes Stasima: the choral odes Exodos: the action after the last choral ode

11 The Tragic Hero Three Modes of Tragedy
External (of villiany; hero overcome by bad guy. Internal (of character; consequences of tragic flaw) Cosmic (of fate, circumstance, or accident)

12 Aristotle’s Tragic Hero
The tragic hero is a person of noble stature - one outstanding quality (often a prince or king) 2. Though the hero is great, he is NOT perfect. -Combined with strength, there is a vulnerability -His fall is caused by this tragic character flaw -His vulnerability leads to his downfall 3. The main character (hero) always falls from his place (death, banishment) 4. The hero's downfall is therefore, partially his own fault -A result of free choice, not pure accident or villainy 5. Nevertheless, the hero's misfortune is not wholly deserved. -the punishment exceeds the crime and a waste of human potential 6. Yet the tragic fall is not pure loss. -before the death there is some increase in awareness, some gain in self-knowledge (change from ignorance to knowledge) 7. Though the tragedy arouses solemn emotions (pity and fear), it does not leave the audience in a state of depression. -with the fall of the hero and his gain of self-knowledge, a fresh recognition of human greatness -though the hero may be defeated, he at least has dared greatly and gains an understanding from his defeat

13 Functions of the Chorus
Beauty and poetry of dancing Interprets events, gives interpretations Relieves tension Advises actors Choral movement: Strophe (first movement) Antistrophe (counter-movement) Epode (afterpiece)

14 Background Antigone is the 3rd play in the triology.
The first play Oedipus’s fortune is read and he will grow up to kill his father and marry his mother. Dad orders him killed Grows up in far away city Goes on a quest (oracle) On the way he kills a man (his dad) Goes to the city of Thebes and marries a woman (his mom) and has children. Realization – stabs eyes out and wife/mom kills self Sons grow up and fight for the kingdom (one is the attacker and one the defender of Thebes) This is where Antigone picks up…

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