1. Greek Theater

2. The Greek Theater 1. 5th Century B. C. Golden Age of Greek Drama
Dramatic festivals were popular
People witnessed tragic and comic plays 2

3. Overview of Greek Theatre
The land
The myths
The stage

4. 2. The Land
Greece has thousands of inhabited islands and dramatic mountain ranges
Greece has a rich culture and history
Democracy was founded in Greece
Philosophy, as a practice, began in Greece (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle)

5. A. Located in Europe in the Aegean Sea
The Land
A. Located in Europe in the Aegean Sea

6. 6

7. The Land

8. Overview of Greek Theatre
The land
The myths
The stage

9. The Stage

10. 3. The Stage- the Amphitheatre
A. 3 Main Portions of a Greek Theater:
1. Skene – Portion of stage where actors performed (included 1-3 doors in and out)
2. Orchestra – “Dancing Place” where chorus sang to the audience
3.Theatron – Seating for audience

11. The Stage

12. The Stage
Greek plays were performed during religious ceremonies held in honor of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and revelry (altars generally on stage)
People would travel from all around to see the drama competitions—even prisoners were temporarily released to see the plays

13. The Stage

14. B. Where and how were the dramas performed?
1.In an amphitheater
2.With a chorus who described most of the action.
3.With masks

15. C. Masks of Greek Theater

16. The masks were worn for many reason including:
1. Visibility
2. Acoustic Assistance
3. Few Actors, Many Roles
4. Characterization

17. Male actors performed all the roles
Actors switched masks to play a number of roles – both female and male 17

19. Masks of Greek Theater

21. Masks of Greek Theater

22. Comedy (Servant or Herald ) Tragedy (Weeping Chorus)
Modern-day replicas
Hero-King
Comedy (Servant or Herald )
Tragedy (Weeping Chorus)

23. Theater at Epidaurus

24. Theater at Epidaurus

25. Overview of Greek Theatre
The land
The myths
The stage

26. III. The Myths – Why they were written
Explained the unexplainable
Justified religious practices
Gave credibility to leaders
Gave hope
Polytheistic (more than one god)
Centered around the twelve Olympians (primary Greek gods)

27. Explained the Unexplainable
When Echo tried to get Narcissus to love her, she was denied.
Saddened, she shriveled to nothing, her existence melting into a rock.
Only her voice remained.
Hence, the echo!

28. Mount Olympus…
…Where the
Olympians
lived.
Who are the Olympians?

29. The Olympians Are the 12 Main Gods

30. The Olympians

31. 1. Zeus
a. King of gods
b. Heaven
c. Storms
d. Thunder
e. Lightning

32. 2. Poseidon a. Zeus’s brother b. King of the sea c. Earthquakes
d. Horses

33. 3. Hades a. Brother to Zeus and Poseidon
b. King of the Underworld (Tartarus)
c. Husband of Persphone

34. 4. Ares
a. God of war

35. 5. Hephaestus a. God of fire b. Craftspeople c. Metalworkers
d. Artisans

36. 6. Apollo a. God of the sun b. Music c. Poetry d. Fine arts
e. Medicine

37. 7. Hermes a. Messenger to the gods b. Trade c. Commerce d. Travelers
e. Thieves & scoundrels

38. 8. Dionysus
a. God of Wine
b. Revelry (Partying)

39. 9. Hera
a. Queen of gods
b. Women
c. Marriage
d. Childbirth

40. 10. Demeter a. Goddess of Harvest b. Agriculture c. Fertility
d. Fruitfulness
e. Mom to Persephone

41. 11. Hestia
a. Goddess of Hearth
b. Home
c. Community

42. 12. Athena
a. Goddess of wisdom
b. Practical arts
c. War

43. 13. Aphrodite
a. Goddess of love and beauty

44. 14. Artemis
a. Goddess of hunting and the moon.

45. The End