1. Greek Theatre Overview Oedipus the King LysistrataMythology

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

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

4. The Land Located in Europe in the Aegean Sea

5. The Land

6. The Stage

7. Three Main Portions of Greek Theatre: Skene – Portion of stage where actors performed (included 1-3 doors in and out) Orchestra – “Dancing Place” where chorus sang to the audience Theatron – Seating for audience

8. The Stage

10. Where and how were the dramas performed? Once a year In an amphitheatre Free! With a chorus who described most of the action. With masks With all the violence off stage With tragedy first, then comedy later.

11. Elements of Greek Theatre Storytelling of gods, heroes and battles would be told by traveling actors. Storytelling of gods, heroes and battles would be told by traveling actors. Tragic trilogies involved epic myths from Greek mythology Tragic trilogies involved epic myths from Greek mythology Priests would organize choruses Priests would organize choruses Playwrights decided to combine stories and choruses to create plays (mostly tragedies, “goat song”) Playwrights decided to combine stories and choruses to create plays (mostly tragedies, “goat song”)

12. Dithyramb Festival A festival in the name of the god Dionysus (wine, fertility, theatre and madness) A festival in the name of the god Dionysus (wine, fertility, theatre and madness) 7 day event: 7 day event: 1. Honour of Dionysus’s story; sacrifice bull 2. Dythyrambic Competition (choric hymn/dance) Boys against Men 3. 5 comedies presented (crude and underdeveloped) 4. 3 tragedies and 1 satire presented in the course of 3 days 7. Awards

13. Performers Chorus: Group of 25-30 Chorus: Group of 25-30 older men to help inform audience, through chant, of characters’ actions / motives. Actors: All men, wearing Actors: All men, wearing colourful costumes and exaggerated masks to be easily identified. Thespis: Famous actor to first limit chorus to 15, engage in dialogue with them, and use masks. Thespis: Famous actor to first limit chorus to 15, engage in dialogue with them, and use masks.

14. Major Greek Dramatists DramatistBornWrote Aeschylus 524 B.C. Seven Against Thebes Sophocles 496 B.C. OedipusAntigone Euripides 480 B.C. Medea Aristophanes(comedy) 411 B.C. Lysistrata

15. Play format PROLOGUE (introduction) PROLOGUE (introduction) PARADOS (entrance of chorus) PARADOS (entrance of chorus) EPISODES & STASIMA (dialogue & chorus interludes) EPISODES & STASIMA (dialogue & chorus interludes) EXODUS (actors leave stage) EXODUS (actors leave stage)

16. Sophocles (496-406 BCE) Wrote 113 plays, only 7 surviving Wrote 113 plays, only 7 surviving Tragic playwright believed in recognizing the inevitability of suffering (fate) Tragic playwright believed in recognizing the inevitability of suffering (fate) Focus on single individual (tragic hero) who must learn about himself and the nature of universal justice Focus on single individual (tragic hero) who must learn about himself and the nature of universal justice Included only the part of the Oedipus myth that allows for this understanding Included only the part of the Oedipus myth that allows for this understanding Psychological – fallibility of humans who despite nobility, marred by fatal error Psychological – fallibility of humans who despite nobility, marred by fatal error Innovation Innovation added a 3 rd actor, introducing concept of ‘perspective’ added a 3 rd actor, introducing concept of ‘perspective’ reduced and modified chorus to be more inclusive reduced and modified chorus to be more inclusive included dramatic irony included dramatic irony Painted background scenery Painted background scenery

17. Sophocles’s Oedipus the King AKA Oedipus Tyrannus or Oedipus Rex AKA Oedipus Tyrannus or Oedipus Rex Written about 430 BCE and performed in Athens Written about 430 BCE and performed in Athens Set in Thebes (a city in ancient Greece) Set in Thebes (a city in ancient Greece) The play is read like a ‘whodunnit’ in which Oedipus is searching for the the King’s killer (himself) The play is read like a ‘whodunnit’ in which Oedipus is searching for the the King’s killer (himself) Sigmund Freud coined the psychological term “Oedipus complex” Sigmund Freud coined the psychological term “Oedipus complex”

18. Oedipus’s past Oracle prophesied to Laius (King of Thebes) that he would be killed by his son and his son would marry his own mother. Oracle prophesied to Laius (King of Thebes) that he would be killed by his son and his son would marry his own mother. They ordered the son to be killed, but the shepherd took pity and took him to Corinth where he was adopted by King Polybus and his baron Queen. They ordered the son to be killed, but the shepherd took pity and took him to Corinth where he was adopted by King Polybus and his baron Queen. Upon adulthood, Oedipus saw the Oracle who told him of the prophesy. He vowed to never return to Corinth. Wandering, he met and killed Laius, thinking he and his men were robbers. He moved on to Thebes. Upon adulthood, Oedipus saw the Oracle who told him of the prophesy. He vowed to never return to Corinth. Wandering, he met and killed Laius, thinking he and his men were robbers. He moved on to Thebes. A Sphinx was attacking Thebes until someone solved its riddle. Oedipus solved it and was crowned King, marrying the widow Queen (his mother). A Sphinx was attacking Thebes until someone solved its riddle. Oedipus solved it and was crowned King, marrying the widow Queen (his mother). Years later (this is the beginning of the play), a plague descended on the land and would remain until Laius’s murderer be punished. Oedipus soon discovers he did it, and after Jocasta commits suicide, he digs out his eyes and eventually flees Thebes with his daughter Antigone. Years later (this is the beginning of the play), a plague descended on the land and would remain until Laius’s murderer be punished. Oedipus soon discovers he did it, and after Jocasta commits suicide, he digs out his eyes and eventually flees Thebes with his daughter Antigone.

19. Riddle 1 2 travelers on a path, 1 in front, 1 in back 2 travelers on a path, 1 in front, 1 in back The one in front is the son of the one in back The one in front is the son of the one in back But the one in back is not the father of the one in front But the one in back is not the father of the one in front How are they related? How are they related? The one in back is his mother The one in back is his mother

20. Riddle 2 You’re on a path and come to a fork. One way leads to town; the other to a forest. You need to get to town, but don’t know which path to take. You’re on a path and come to a fork. One way leads to town; the other to a forest. You need to get to town, but don’t know which path to take. Two brothers standing at the fork know. One always lies; the other always tells the truth. Two brothers standing at the fork know. One always lies; the other always tells the truth. You’re allowed one question to find your way to town. What do you ask? You’re allowed one question to find your way to town. What do you ask? Ask either of them: “Which path would your brother say leads to town?” Then take the opposite path. Ask either of them: “Which path would your brother say leads to town?” Then take the opposite path.

21. Things to Look for in Oedipus Dramatic irony Dramatic irony Concept of fate Concept of fate Characterization of Oedipus Characterization of Oedipus Role of and belief in the gods Role of and belief in the gods Blindness, truth and knowledge Blindness, truth and knowledge Disease Disease Nature of the conflict Nature of the conflict Concept of transgression-violation of a law, command or duty Concept of transgression-violation of a law, command or duty

22. Sophocles’s Antigone Set in Thebes (a city in ancient Greece) Set in Thebes (a city in ancient Greece) Antigone is the daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta Antigone is the daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta Antigone’s brothers, Eteocles and Polyneces, took opposite sides in a war because they didn’t want to share the throne. They end up killing each other in battle. Antigone’s brothers, Eteocles and Polyneces, took opposite sides in a war because they didn’t want to share the throne. They end up killing each other in battle. Antigone’s uncle, Creon, becomes king of Thebes and orders Polyneces body to remain unburied. Antigone buries him in secret. Antigone’s uncle, Creon, becomes king of Thebes and orders Polyneces body to remain unburied. Antigone buries him in secret.

23. Copy Only The Boxed Portion!

24. Euripides’s Medea Medea is a princess from Colchis Medea is a princess from Colchis Medea marries Jason, who is in Colchis on a quest for the Golden Fleece Medea marries Jason, who is in Colchis on a quest for the Golden Fleece Medea betrays her father and murders her brother for her love of Jason Medea betrays her father and murders her brother for her love of Jason Medea has magical powers Medea has magical powers Jason takes Medea back to his homeland, Corinth, where they have children Jason takes Medea back to his homeland, Corinth, where they have children Jason takes another wife, the king of Corinth’s daughter Jason takes another wife, the king of Corinth’s daughter

25. Jason’s Voyage on the Argo Jason and Medea meet Corinth: Where Jason and Medea settle down

26. Aristophanes’s Lysistrata Comic account of one woman's extraordinary mission to end The Peloponnesian War (Athens and Sparta – over land) Comic account of one woman's extraordinary mission to end The Peloponnesian War (Athens and Sparta – over land)The Peloponnesian WarThe Peloponnesian War Lysistrata persuades the women of Greece to withhold sexual privileges from their husbands and lovers as a means of forcing the men to negotiate peace. Lysistrata persuades the women of Greece to withhold sexual privileges from their husbands and lovers as a means of forcing the men to negotiate peace. Inflames the battle between the sexes in a male-dominated society. Inflames the battle between the sexes in a male-dominated society. The older women overtake the Akropolis, the fortress that houses the treasury of Athens. The older women overtake the Akropolis, the fortress that houses the treasury of Athens. The older men try to smoke them out, but the women carry jugs of water to extinguish the fires. The older men try to smoke them out, but the women carry jugs of water to extinguish the fires. The commissioner orders a battle, in which the women wittingly run the men off. Lysistrata describes how things ‘should’ run, using a weaving wool analogy. By the end, they dress the commissioner as a woman. The commissioner orders a battle, in which the women wittingly run the men off. Lysistrata describes how things ‘should’ run, using a weaving wool analogy. By the end, they dress the commissioner as a woman. After two humorous seduction-gone-wrong skits, the sex-strike frustrates the men so much so that the Spartans beg the Athenians for a peace treaty. After two humorous seduction-gone-wrong skits, the sex-strike frustrates the men so much so that the Spartans beg the Athenians for a peace treaty.

27. The Myths – why they were written 1. Explained the unexplainable 2. Justified religious practices 3. Gave credibility to leaders 4. Gave hope 5. Polytheistic (more than one god) 6. Centered around the twelve Olympians (primary Greek gods)

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

29. To justify religious practices Dionysian cults in ancient Greece were founded to worship Dionysus, god of grapes, vegetation, and wine. Dionysian cults in ancient Greece were founded to worship Dionysus, god of grapes, vegetation, and wine.

30. To give credibility to leaders The Romans used myths to create family trees for their leaders, enforcing the made- up idea that the emperors were related to the gods and were, then, demigods.

31. To give hope The ancient citizens of Greece would sacrifice and pray to an ORACLE. The ancient citizens of Greece would sacrifice and pray to an ORACLE. An oracle was a priest or priestess who would send a message to the gods from mortals who brought their requests. An oracle was a priest or priestess who would send a message to the gods from mortals who brought their requests. Where DID hope come from? After unleashing suffering, famine, disease, and many other evils, the last thing Pandora let out was HOPE.

32. The Oracle at Delphi Most famous oracle in Greek mythology.

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

34. The Olympians Are the 12 Main Gods

35. Temperaments of the Olympians

36. Zeus King of gods King of gods Heaven Heaven Storms Storms Thunder Thunder lightning lightning

37. Poseidon Zeus’s brother Zeus’s brother King of the sea King of the sea Earthquakes Earthquakes Horses Horses

38. Hades Brother to Zeus and Poseidon Brother to Zeus and Poseidon King of the Underworld (Tartarus) King of the Underworld (Tartarus) Husband of Persphone Husband of Persphone

39. Ares God of war God of war

40. Hephaestus God of fire God of fire Craftspeople Craftspeople Metalworkers Metalworkers Artisans Artisans

41. Apollo God of the sun God of the sun Music Music Poetry Poetry Fine arts Fine arts Medicine Medicine

42. Hermes Messenger to the gods Messenger to the gods Trade Trade Commerce Commerce Travelers Travelers Thieves & scoundrels Thieves & scoundrels

43. Dionysus God of Wine God of Wine Partying (Revelry) Partying (Revelry)

44. Hera Queen of gods Queen of gods Women Women Marriage Marriage Childbirth Childbirth

45. Demeter Goddess of Harvest Goddess of Harvest Agriculture Agriculture Fertility Fertility Fruitfulness Fruitfulness Mom to Persephone Mom to Persephone

46. Hestia Goddess of Hearth Goddess of Hearth Home Home Community Community

47. Athena Goddess of wisdom Goddess of wisdom Practical arts Practical arts War War

48. Aphrodite Goddess of love and beauty Goddess of love and beauty

49. Artemis Goddess of hunting and the moon. Goddess of hunting and the moon.

50. The End

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