1. Cult of Dionysus
Maenad
Satyr
Dionysus

2. Greek theatres developed over time
Every seat had a decent view
Most were situated overlooking scenic views
Every Greek polis (city state) had one
Always used for dramatic performances
Sometimes used for democratic assemblies
All eventually made of stone
Acoustically constructed so that a whisper could be heard in every seat
Orchestra: circular space where the chorus stood in front of the main action on the stage
Skene: Originally a tent it became the stage on which the principal actors stood

3. Theatre of Dionysus:
Athens
Theatre at Epidaurus

4. Theatre at Epidavros Eisodos Orchestra Skene Exodos Altar in centre
Stone banked seating

5. Theatre at Epidavros Plan

6. Origins of Greek Drama Early Greek drama was simply religious dance
Later stories concerning the festival were added to the dances – City Dionysia chorus of satyrs
A principal actor was then used to speak to the audience in between choral dances - Thespis
One actor became two and then three allowing for more complicated stories
The chorus leader often conversed with the actors while moralizing on the story separately
Sophocles added scenery and scenes

7. Masks
Masks were worn by actors to convey different emotions of a character
Also to show different characters
Men only were the actors
Masks rather than costumes were the elaborate designs in a tragedy, less so in comedy

8. Types of Drama
Tragedy – Primarily mythical stories teaching a moral lesson to the audience through the main character’s reactions to events & people
Comedy – Wide ranging between contemporary political satire to mythical stories given a humorous slant. Often very coarse humour.
Satyr plays – Farces and burlesque versions of myths involving half goat Satyrs, coarse language & gestures
Dithyrambs – Chorus dances set to music on some mythical theme

9. Dramatic devices Greek theatres had two pieces of machinery
Mechane – A crane that swung characters around the skene into view above the stage
It was used to present gods often appearing to solve otherwise insoluble problems
It gave rise to the term deus ex machina
Ekkyklema – A mini stage wheeled into the orchestra through the central door of the skene
Off stage events were presented to the audience, actors and chorus in the form of a tableau
Other props such as statues or altars would be on the skene
There was no curtain

10. Tragedy- Song of the Goat

11. The Tragedians
Aeschylus
Sophocles
Euripides

12. Tragedy structure Prologue introducing the action
Parados – entry of the chorus from the parados
Episodes – scenes of action central to plot
Stasima – Chorus songs separating the three or more episodes and relating to action or moralising to audience with mythical references
Exodos – closing, usually moralizing, song of the chorus – in Euripides’ plays it is often given by the principal cathartic character

13. Tragic Devices
Mimesis – simulated representation on stage allows the audience to appreciate the drama
Catharsis – a ritual cleansing that the hero has to go through to be absolved of his crimes
Anagnorisis – recognition by the hero of what has occurred (often involving gods’ will) – usually needed to allow catharsis to happen
Peripeteia – reversal of fortune: the hero has to suffer to then achieve anagnorisis & catharsis
Hubris – pride or arrogance leading to speech or action against the gods which is punished

14. Greek Comedy
Old Comedy – Crude, political, toilet humour, sexual jokes, gods on stage, crazy costumes, animals personified, satire
Old Comedy
New Comedy
Aristophanes
Menander
New (& Roman) Comedy – Everyday situations, family drama, clever slaves vs. stupid masters, lovers separated, young men pursuing women, household situations, few political comments