1. Greek Drama

2. Background information Based on suffering of great families, usually mythological Focus is on a her/heroine whose fortunes decline from good to bad because of the Fates or human nature (as opposed to “tragic flaw”) Must arouse emotions of pity and fear in the audience Is both enlightening and didactic

3. Origin of Tragedy Religious festivals in honor of Dionysus (god of wine and fertility) – City of Dionysia- religious festival held each spring – Dithyramb- hymn sung in honor of Dionysus – Chorus- group of 50 men who sang and danced – Tragedy (goat song) was born

4. Background info cont’d Contains logically motivated complete action with a beginning, middle, end Consists of a plot, characters, thought, diction, spectacle, song One person’s fate symbolizes that of all people. Tragedy centers on an individual –the protagonist or hero/heroine Death of a main character is not necessary, but tragedy requires at least the recognition of mortality.

6. Structure of Theater

7. Costumes Long, flowing robes—colored symbolically High boots, often with raised soles Larger than life masks, made of linen, wood, cork – Identified age, gender, emotion – Exaggerated features: large eyes, open mouth

8. Masks

9. Chorus Function – Sets overall mood and expresses theme – Adds beauty through song and dance – Gives background information – Divides action and offers reflections on events – Questions, advises, expresses opinion– usually through chorus leader

10. Limitations of Greek theater Continuous presence of Chorus No intermissions; continuous flow of action and choral odes No lighting; no curtains Unrelieved tension

11. Form is meaning… Hero has high status, rises to an even higher status by power of his own character. Hero falls due to his on foolishness (hubris) and fateful circumstances Good comes from the tragedies at least for the audience that views it (catharsis). Catharsis: relieve emtional tension