1. Introduction to Greek Drama: Origins The drama of Ancient Greece and Rome is called classical drama. It started in Athens from religious celebrations in honor of Dionysus. It involved ritual chants and songs performed by a group called a chorus. This evolved into dialogue, which turned into theatre.

2. Introduction to Greek Theatre: the Theater Plays were attended by thousands, performed outdoors during the day in a theater with seats built into a hillside (imagine an amphitheater). A long building, called the skene, served as a backdrop for the action and as a dressing room. A spacious floor, the orchestra, was located between the skene and the audience, who sat in the theatron.

3. Introduction to Greek Theatre: Actors and Chorus Actors were all men and wore huge masks, elevated shoes, and elegant robes. The chorus was a group of about 15 that commented on the action. The leader of the chorus is the choragus.

4. Introduction to Greek Theatre: Structure Prologue: Gives background necessary for understanding the play Parodos: Song sung by the Chorus as it first enters Choral Odes: Spoken in unison by the chorus. They provide historical references and moral reflection on the action in the scene. Exodos: The end of the play, where the tragic hero’s self-realization usually occurs

5. Introduction to Greek Theatre: Tragedy and Tragic Hero A tragedy is a drama that recounts the downfall of a dignified, superior character. It ends in a catastrophe, a disastrous conclusion that involves multiple deaths. The character whose downfall the play recounts is called the tragic hero.

6. Introduction to Greek Theatre: Tragic Hero The tragic hero was first defined by the Greek philosopher Artistotle. A tragic hero must have most of the following qualities: A person of noble or high status who has a mixture of good and bad in his personality. He has a tragic flaw, or hamartia, which leads to his downfall. He usually goes on a journey or participates in a quest. He has a large capacity for suffering. His downfall is often preceded by self-realization.