1. Greek Drama

2. Theater Theater was a means for entertainment entertainment religion religion civic loyalty civic loyalty honor to local heroes honor to local heroes social events social events competition competition

3. Physical Structure of Theater Theaters were not buildings; usually hillsides with wooden (later stone) benches added Theaters were not buildings; usually hillsides with wooden (later stone) benches added Open air Open air

5. Parts of the Drama Parodos- the first song of the Chorus, or entrance to theater used by chorus Parodos- the first song of the Chorus, or entrance to theater used by chorus Ode- a song chanted by the Chorus Ode- a song chanted by the Chorus Paean- a song of praise, joy, or thanksgiving Paean- a song of praise, joy, or thanksgiving Exodos- the last part of the play Exodos- the last part of the play

6. Actors and Acting Actor and playwright were usually the same (took leading role) Actor and playwright were usually the same (took leading role) Never more than 3 actors (each changed characters as needed) Never more than 3 actors (each changed characters as needed) Protagonist: main character Protagonist: main character Deuteragonist: second most important character Deuteragonist: second most important character Tritagonist: third most important character Tritagonist: third most important character All male performers (no women; men played female roles) All male performers (no women; men played female roles) Because theaters were so large, actors had to exaggerate movements to be seen. Because theaters were so large, actors had to exaggerate movements to be seen.

7. Mask of Dionysus Mask of warrior Mask of philosopher Mask of woman

8. The Chorus Chanted, danced, commented on action of play Chanted, danced, commented on action of play Accompanied by single musician (played aulos: pipe) Accompanied by single musician (played aulos: pipe) Sets overall mood and expresses theme Sets overall mood and expresses theme Adds beauty through song and dance Adds beauty through song and dance Gives background information Gives background information Divides action and offers reflections on events Divides action and offers reflections on events Choragos Choragos Leader of chorus Leader of chorus Sometimes involved in dialogue Sometimes involved in dialogue Questions, advises, expresses opinions Questions, advises, expresses opinions Usually represents typical viewer’s reaction to events of play Usually represents typical viewer’s reaction to events of play

9. Dramatic Conventions Unity Unity Action: simple plot Action: simple plot Time: single day Time: single day Place: one scene throughout Place: one scene throughout Messenger Messenger Tells of news happening away from scene Tells of news happening away from scene Violence did not occur onstage; messenger would describe in gory detail Violence did not occur onstage; messenger would describe in gory detail Limitations Limitations Continuous presence of chorus “on stage” Continuous presence of chorus “on stage” No intermission No intermission No artificial lighting No artificial lighting No curtains No curtains Few props (usually for character identification: swords, sticks, etc) Few props (usually for character identification: swords, sticks, etc)

10. Tragedy The fall of a great man (or woman) The fall of a great man (or woman) Tragic hero: main character whose downfall is the result of a tragic flaw Tragic hero: main character whose downfall is the result of a tragic flaw Purpose: to inspire audience to reexamine their own lives, define beliefs, etc. Purpose: to inspire audience to reexamine their own lives, define beliefs, etc.

11. Antigone: Time and Place Ancient Greece-The city of Thebes (about 30 miles northwest of Athens). Ancient Greece-The city of Thebes (about 30 miles northwest of Athens).

12. Sophocles Born around 496 B.C. Born around 496 B.C. Athletic and skilled in music Athletic and skilled in music Wrote 123 dramas Wrote 123 dramas Added third actor Added third actor Fixed number in Chorus to 15 Fixed number in Chorus to 15 Introduced painted scenery Introduced painted scenery

13. Antigone & Ancient Greece Greeks of Sophocles‘s day believed that if a corpse was not buried or cremated according to ritual, his/her soul would wander the earth, bringing shame upon its survivors. Greeks of Sophocles‘s day believed that if a corpse was not buried or cremated according to ritual, his/her soul would wander the earth, bringing shame upon its survivors. To leave a body unburied was a terrible insult to the family of the deceased. To leave a body unburied was a terrible insult to the family of the deceased.

14. Characters in Antigone Antigone- daughter of Oedipus Antigone- daughter of Oedipus Ismene- daughter of Oedipus Ismene- daughter of Oedipus Eurydice- wife of Creon Eurydice- wife of Creon Creon- King of Thebes, uncle of Antigone and Ismene Creon- King of Thebes, uncle of Antigone and Ismene Haimon (Haemon)- son of Creon Haimon (Haemon)- son of Creon Teiresias: a blind prophet Teiresias: a blind prophet Chorus Chorus Choragos- leader of the Chorus Choragos- leader of the Chorus

15. Characters-Allusions Oedipus Rex- was the king of Thebes who was destined from birth to murder his father, Laius, and marry his mother, Jocasta; blinds himself. Oedipus Rex- was the king of Thebes who was destined from birth to murder his father, Laius, and marry his mother, Jocasta; blinds himself. Eteocles- son of Oedipus; died in war- has Creon’s favor Eteocles- son of Oedipus; died in war- has Creon’s favor Polyneices- son of Oedipus; died in war against Creon-will not receive proper burial. Polyneices- son of Oedipus; died in war against Creon-will not receive proper burial.

16. Added Facts Sophocles used only three actors in the original performance (all that were permitted under the drama competition regulations): Sophocles used only three actors in the original performance (all that were permitted under the drama competition regulations):