1. The Founding Greeks Early Theater to the Universality of Greek Plays

2. I. Beginning of theater A.Impersonation 1. Animals 2. Gods 3. People B.Evolved from storytelling C.Myths

3. Beginning of theater continued B.Early dramas – religious in basis 1. Egypt a. Passion plays b. Osiris – god of life/death c. Magic and healing d. Masks 2. Native American dances 3. African dances

4. Greek Theater Provides the transition between ritualistic theater and Western theater First formal theater on Crete

5. II. Early Greek Festivals A.Worship of Dionysus 1.God of vegetation, wine, fertility 2.Rites of adoration 3.Masks 4.4 festivals each year

6. II. Early Greek Festivals B.Developed into performances 1.Singing 2.Dancing 3.Reading poetry 4.Drinking 5.One actor with chorus

7. II. Early Greek Festivals C. Greek religion 1.Plays centered around religious rituals 2.Compare to church/temple today 3.Entertainment with themes

8. III. Evolution of Greek Theater A.Thespis 1.First actor 2.Developed monologue 3.Credited with mask 4.“Thespians” = “actor”

9. III. Evolution of Greek Theater B. Choerilus 1. Added another character 2. Female 3. Females were played by boys/men

10. III. Evolution of Greek Theater C.Festivals developed into contests 1. 3 poets wrote plays 2. Tetralogy a. 3 tragedies b. 1 comedy 3. Tragedy – a. Tragos – goats b. Goats sacrificed to Dionysus

11. IV. Greek Theater Structures

12. IV. See handout Diagram and explanations will be on the test!

13. IV. Greek Theater Structures A.Characteristics 1.Open air 2.Amphitheater seating 3.Good acoustics

14. IV. More Greek Theaters

15. Theatre of Dionysus

17. Greek Masks

18. Masks continued

19. Purposes for masks Stereotype representation of character Built in amplifier Larger than life – visible

20. V.Playwrights A.Aeschylus 1.Father of Classical Greek drama 2.82 plays – 7 survive 3.Introduces 2 nd character a.Created dialogue b.Conflict

21. Playwrights cont. B.Sophocles 1. Used 3 speaking actors 2. Created longer, more complicated plots 3. Chorus lost importance 4. Used painted back drop to indicate time and place 5. 123 plays – 7 survive

22. Playwrights cont. C.Euripedes 1. Added more characters and plot complication 2. More realistic 3. Innovator – gods with human traits 4. Sympathy for female characters

23. Playwrights cont. D.Aristophanes 1. Known for comedies 2. Satirizes Greek society, politics, literature 3. 40 plays 4. Plays still performed today a. The Birds b. The Frogs c. The Clouds

24. Playwrights cont. F.Menander 1.Last great playwright 2.Over 100 plays 3.Comic style influences modern comic playwrights

25. Sources Brockett, Oscar G. The Theatre: An Introduction. New York: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 1979. Brockett, Oscar G. History of the Theatre. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1995.