1. Greek Tragedy

2. The Origin of Theatre
Athenian “tribes” would compete against each other in speaking contests – Dithyrambs – during a large annual festival in Dionysia
Each would contribute a chorus of 50 men and a chorus 50 boys
At one of these competitions one actor or “hypokrites” stepped out of the dithyramb and spoke in character – his name was Thespis

3. Theatre in Greece
Theatre became part of the fabric of Greek society and dramatic contests also became part of the festival in Dionysia
Wealthy members of society would take turns sponsoring one of the three tragedy playwrights preparing a production for the competition – it was considered their civic duty

4. Festival of Dionysus 1 day of watching 5 comedies 3 days of tragedies
Each playwright contributed 3 tragedies each, plus a satyr play
Everyone attended these
events

5. The Amphitheatre

6. The Chorus Very important part of Greek Tragedy
Standard was 15 members - all young, male, citizens – There were NO female performers at all in Greek theatre!
All wore identical masks
Sometimes a leader spoke for the chorus, but most of the time they all spoke and moved in unison
The chorus responds, witnesses, compares, draws moral conclusions, make private matters public, and try to make sense of the action of the play

8. The Actors Tragedies had 3 actors (Comedies had 4)
Actors all wore individualized full head masks

9. What’s the point? Search for a natural order
Human place and purpose in the cosmos
Human relationship with the gods and morality
Featured an individual in a moment of crisis that is caused by HUMAN error
Deal with difficult and dark subjects
Focus on family conflict but have larger, civic implications

10. Aristotle (384-322 BCE) and The Poetics (c.335)
The Three Unities:
Time (24 hours)
Place (1 location)
Action (1 plot)
Catharsis
A purging of emotions
A late point of attack (when the play starts we are in the middle of the plot – a lot of things have already happened and we start just when things get interesting)
Very focused writing

11. Six Elements of Tragedy
Plot
Peripeteia – reversal of fortune
Anagnorisis – recognition, moving from ignorance to knowledge
Pathos – destructive or painful acts
The plot must provoke fear or pity

12. Six Elements of Tragedy
2. Character
Protagonist cannot be purely good or purely bad
Must be somewhere in between
Misfortune comes not from wickedness, but from a mistake or weakness: Hamartia
Should be above the common level (Nobleman, King, Priest, Prince, etc)

13. Six Elements of Tragedy
3. Thought
Needs to deal with larger issues and ideas
4. Diction/Verbal Expression
Language and poetry should be elevated
5. Songs and 6. Spectacle
These last two are considered the least important for Aristotle – for him it is more important to hear the story than see it

14. Let’s Create a Modern Tragedy
Now that you know what makes up a tragedy it is your turn!
Remember you will need:
- A chorus
- To inspire Catharsis
- A flawed protagonist who is not “common”
- A late point of attack
- 1 focused plot that happens in 1 day and in 1 location
- Reversal of Fortune
- Misfortune caused by weakness or mistake
- Moment of recognition
- A destructive or painful act