Greek Theater

The origins of dramaThe origins of dramaThe earliest origins of drama are ancient The earliest origins of drama are ancient

hymns, called dithyrambs. These were hymns, called dithyrambs. These were sung in honor of the god Dionysus. These sung in honor of the god Dionysus. These hymns were later adapted for choral hymns were later adapted for choral processions in which participants would processions in which participants would dress up in costumes and masks. dress up in costumes and masks.

Word OriginWord Origin

The modern The modern word “drama” word “drama” comes form comes form the Greek the Greek word word drandran meaning "to meaning "to do" do"

DefinitionDefinition

Dithyrambs: a Dithyrambs: a poem, chant, or poem, chant, or hymn of ancient hymn of ancient Greece sung by Greece sung by revelers at the revelers at the festival in honor festival in honor of the god of the god DionysusDionysus

Greek TheaterGreek TheaterGreek tragedies and comedies were Greek tragedies and comedies were

always performed in outdoor always performed in outdoor theaters. theaters.

Early Greek theaters were probably Early Greek theaters were probably little more than open areas in city little more than open areas in city centers or next to hillsides where the centers or next to hillsides where the audience, standing or sitting, could audience, standing or sitting, could watch and listen to the chorus singing watch and listen to the chorus singing about the exploits of a god or hero. about the exploits of a god or hero.

From the late 6th century BC to the From the late 6th century BC to the 4th and 3rd centuries BC there was a 4th and 3rd centuries BC there was a gradual evolution towards more gradual evolution towards more elaborate theater structures, but the elaborate theater structures, but the basic layout of the Greek theater basic layout of the Greek theater remained the same remained the same

Parts of the TheaterParts of the TheaterOrchestraOrchestra: (literally, "dancing space") A : (literally, "dancing space") A

circular and level space where the chorus circular and level space where the chorus would dance, sing, and interact with the would dance, sing, and interact with the actors who were on the stage near the actors who were on the stage near the skene. skene.

TheatronTheatron: (literally, "viewing-place") : (literally, "viewing-place") This is where the spectators sat. The This is where the spectators sat. The theatron was usually part of hillside theatron was usually part of hillside overlooking the orchestra.overlooking the orchestra.

Parts cont.Parts cont.

SkeneSkene: (literally, "tent") The skene was : (literally, "tent") The skene was directly in back of the stage, and was directly in back of the stage, and was usually decorated as a palace, temple, usually decorated as a palace, temple, or other building, depending on the or other building, depending on the needs of the play. It had at least one set needs of the play. It had at least one set of doors, and actors could make of doors, and actors could make entrances and exits through thementrances and exits through them

. .

ParodosParodos: (literally, "passageways") : (literally, "passageways") The paths by which the chorus and The paths by which the chorus and some actors made their entrances and some actors made their entrances and exits. The audience also used them to exits. The audience also used them to enter and exit the theater before and enter and exit the theater before and after the performance.after the performance.

Theatre Theatre of of

DionysusDionysus

The first plays were performed in the Theatre of The first plays were performed in the Theatre of Dionysus,Dionysus, built in the shadow of the Acropolis in built in the shadow of the Acropolis in Athens at the beginning of the 5th century, Athens at the beginning of the 5th century,

These theatres proved to be so popular they soon These theatres proved to be so popular they soon spread all over Greece. spread all over Greece.

Word OriginWord Origin

The modern word The modern word “theater” comes “theater” comes from the Greek from the Greek word word theatrontheatron meaning "seeing meaning "seeing place" place"

Why Dionysus?Why Dionysus?In Greek Mythology In Greek Mythology

Dionysus was the son Dionysus was the son of Zeus. He is the of Zeus. He is the only god born of one only god born of one god and one mortal god and one mortal parent.parent.

He was the god of He was the god of wine, fertility and wine, fertility and revelry. revelry.

Dionysis cont.Dionysis cont.He was raised by satyrs, killed, dismembered, He was raised by satyrs, killed, dismembered,

and resurrected (was actually reborn).and resurrected (was actually reborn).Other gods had temples, the cult of Dionysis Other gods had temples, the cult of Dionysis

met in the wood.met in the wood.It was believed that he could liberate and It was believed that he could liberate and

inspire man. It was also believed that he could inspire man. It was also believed that he could endow man with divine creativity. Dionysus, endow man with divine creativity. Dionysus, thus, came to be considered a patron of the arts thus, came to be considered a patron of the arts

In the sixth century BC, the Athenian In the sixth century BC, the Athenian ruler, Pisistratus, established the 'City ruler, Pisistratus, established the 'City Dionysia', a festival of entertainment held Dionysia', a festival of entertainment held in honor of the god Dionysus.in honor of the god Dionysus.

This festival featured competitions in This festival featured competitions in music, singing, dance and poetry. music, singing, dance and poetry.

The most remarkable of all the winners The most remarkable of all the winners was said to be a wandering bard named was said to be a wandering bard named Thespis.Thespis.

The “City Dionysia”The “City Dionysia”

Word originWord origin

thespianthespian: :

1.1. Of or relating to Of or relating to drama; dramatic: drama; dramatic: thespian talents.thespian talents. 2.2. ThespianThespian Of or Of or relating to Thespis relating to Thespis

Does the name Thespis remind you of anything? Can you guess which modern word goes back to this early actor’s name?

Four Qualities of Greek Four Qualities of Greek Drama:Drama:

1. Performed for special occasions (festivals). Athens had four festivals worshipping Dionysus.

2. Competitive--prizes were awarded. Actors and playwrights competed (Oedipus won 2nd place)

3. Choral – There was singing; the chorus was made up of men (from 3 to 50). The chorus sang, moved, and danced. They moved the story along.

4. The stories were based on myth or history

Essential pieces of Greek Essential pieces of Greek dramadrama

The playThe playThe actorsThe actorsThe chorusThe chorus

The Play: Types of Greek The Play: Types of Greek DramaDrama

ComedyComedyTragedyTragedySatyr PlaysSatyr Plays

Comedy and tragedy were the most popular types of plays in ancient Greece. Hence, the modern popularity of the comedy and tragedy masks to symbolize theater.

ComedyComedy

not admitted to Dionysus festival till not admitted to Dionysus festival till 487-486 B.C. – late487-486 B.C. – late

The first comedies were mainly satirical The first comedies were mainly satirical and mocked men in power for their and mocked men in power for their vanity and foolishness. vanity and foolishness.

The first master of comedy was the The first master of comedy was the playwright Aristophanes.playwright Aristophanes.

exaggerated, farcical, sensual pleasuresexaggerated, farcical, sensual pleasures

Structure of the Comedy:Structure of the Comedy:

ProloguePrologue — leading character — leading character conceives a "happy idea" conceives a "happy idea"

ParadosParados: entrance of the chorus : entrance of the chorus AgonAgon: dramatized debate between : dramatized debate between

proponent and opponent of the proponent and opponent of the "happy idea""happy idea"

Comedy cont.Comedy cont.ParabasisParabasis: chorus : chorus

addresses audience addresses audience on poet’s views on on poet’s views on topic topic

EpisodesEpisodes: "Happy : "Happy idea" is put to idea" is put to practical practical application application

The Greek tragedyThe Greek tragedyViolence and death offstage Violence and death offstage Frequent use of messengers to relate Frequent use of messengers to relate

information information Usually continuous time of action Usually continuous time of action Usually single place Usually single place Stories based on myth or history, but Stories based on myth or history, but

varied interpretations of events varied interpretations of events Focus is on psychological and ethical Focus is on psychological and ethical

attributes of characters, rather than attributes of characters, rather than physical and sociological.physical and sociological.

Tragedy cont.Tragedy cont.Tragedy dealt with love, loss, pride, the Tragedy dealt with love, loss, pride, the

abuse of power and the fraught abuse of power and the fraught relationships between men and gods. relationships between men and gods.

Typically the main protagonist of a Typically the main protagonist of a tragedy commits some terrible crime tragedy commits some terrible crime without realizing how foolish and arrogant without realizing how foolish and arrogant he has been. Then, as he slowly realizes he has been. Then, as he slowly realizes his error, the world crumbles around him. his error, the world crumbles around him.

The three great playwrights of tragedy The three great playwrights of tragedy were Aeschylus, Sophocles, and were Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. Euripides.

Word OriginWord OriginThe word The word tragedytragedy

came to be derived came to be derived from the Greek from the Greek tragostragos (goat) and (goat) and odeode (poem). (poem). Tragedy literally Tragedy literally means goat song means goat song or goat poem.or goat poem.

The Structure of Greek The Structure of Greek TragedyTragedy

ProloguePrologue, which described the situation , which described the situation and set the scene and set the scene

ParadosParados, an ode sung by the chorus as it , an ode sung by the chorus as it made its entrance made its entrance

Five dramatic scenesFive dramatic scenes, each followed by , each followed by a a KomosKomos, an exchange of laments by the , an exchange of laments by the chorus and the protagonistchorus and the protagonist

ExodusExodus, the climax and conclusion , the climax and conclusion Tragedies were often presented in Tragedies were often presented in

trilogies. Interspersed between the trilogies. Interspersed between the three plays in the trilogy were three plays in the trilogy were satyr satyr playsplays, in which satyrs (men dressed , in which satyrs (men dressed as half-goats) made fun of the as half-goats) made fun of the characters in the surrounding characters in the surrounding tragedies. tragedies.

Tragic flawTragic flawa flaw or mistake that brings about the a flaw or mistake that brings about the

downfall of the hero of a tragedy downfall of the hero of a tragedy The Greek term "harmartia," typically The Greek term "harmartia," typically

translated as "tragic flaw," actually is translated as "tragic flaw," actually is closer in meaning to a "mistake" or an closer in meaning to a "mistake" or an "error," "failing," rather than an innate "error," "failing," rather than an innate flaw. flaw.

The character's flaw must result from The character's flaw must result from something that is also a central part something that is also a central part of their virtue, which goes somewhat of their virtue, which goes somewhat arwry, usually due to a lack of arwry, usually due to a lack of knowledge. knowledge.

Satyr PlaysSatyr PlaysThese were short plays These were short plays

performed between the acts performed between the acts of tragedies. They made of tragedies. They made fun of the plight of the fun of the plight of the tragedy's characters. tragedy's characters.

The satyrs were mythical The satyrs were mythical half-human, half-goat half-human, half-goat servants of Dionysus. servants of Dionysus.

Word OriginWord OriginDoes the term Satyr Does the term Satyr

remind you of any remind you of any modern day term?modern day term?

The Satyr and the Satyr The Satyr and the Satyr plays spawned the plays spawned the modern word modern word satiresatire..

The ActorsThe ActorsAll of the actors All of the actors

and playwrights and playwrights were men. were men. Women were not Women were not allowed to allowed to participate. participate.

The actors played The actors played multiple roles, so a multiple roles, so a mask was used to mask was used to show the change in show the change in character or mood. character or mood.

Gestures and body movements were Gestures and body movements were controlled and stately controlled and stately

If playing female role — need for If playing female role — need for female appearance — wore the female appearance — wore the prosternida prosternida before the chest and the before the chest and the progastridaprogastrida before the belly before the belly

The ChorusThe Chorus

Functions of the chorus Functions of the chorus an agent: gives advice, asks, takes an agent: gives advice, asks, takes

part part establishes ethical framework, sets establishes ethical framework, sets

up standard by which action will be up standard by which action will be judged judged

ideal spectator - reacts as playwright ideal spectator - reacts as playwright hopes audience wouldhopes audience would

sets mood and heightens dramatic effects adds movement, spectacle, song, and dance rhythmical function - pauses / paces the action so that the audience can reflect.

SophoclesSophoclesSophocles: Sophocles:

(496-406 B.C.) (496-406 B.C.) son of a wealthy son of a wealthy

merchant,merchant,By the age of sixteen, By the age of sixteen,

he was chosen to lead he was chosen to lead a choir of boys at a a choir of boys at a celebration of the celebration of the victory of Salamis. victory of Salamis.

By age 28 his studies By age 28 his studies complete, and he was complete, and he was ready to compete in ready to compete in the City Dionysia--a the City Dionysia--a festival held every festival held every year at the Theatre of year at the Theatre of Dionysus in which Dionysus in which new plays were new plays were presented. presented.

Won 24 contests, never lower than 2Won 24 contests, never lower than 2ndnd

Added a third actor and scenery Added a third actor and scenery Concerned with:Concerned with:

- the relationship between gods and human fate - the relationship between gods and human fate - tragic irony, the contrast between human - tragic irony, the contrast between human

fate and human ignorance fate and human ignorance -importance of free will/moral choice -importance of free will/moral choice

Struggle even if struggle is hopeless; each Struggle even if struggle is hopeless; each character embodies a certain moral ideal character embodies a certain moral ideal

Portrays humans as they OUGHT to be Portrays humans as they OUGHT to be Believed evil/moral failings stemmed from Believed evil/moral failings stemmed from

ignoranceignorance

Characteristics of Sophocles' plays:complex characters, psychologically well-complex characters, psychologically well-

motivated motivated emphasis on individual characters emphasis on individual characters characters subjected to crisis leading to suffering characters subjected to crisis leading to suffering

and self recognition - including a higher law above and self recognition - including a higher law above man man

exposition carefully motivated exposition carefully motivated scenes suspense fully climactic scenes suspense fully climactic action clear and logical action clear and logical poetry clear and beautiful poetry clear and beautiful few elaborate visual effects few elaborate visual effects theme emphasized: the choices of peopletheme emphasized: the choices of people

The Final CurtainThe Final CurtainBy the time of Sophocles' death in 406 BC (128 years By the time of Sophocles' death in 406 BC (128 years

after Thespis' victory in the first Athenian drama after Thespis' victory in the first Athenian drama competition) the golden era of Greek drama was ending. competition) the golden era of Greek drama was ending.

Athens, whose free-thinking culture had spawned the Athens, whose free-thinking culture had spawned the birth of theater, would be overrun in 404 BC by the birth of theater, would be overrun in 404 BC by the Spartans, and would later be torn apart by constant Spartans, and would later be torn apart by constant warring with other city states, eventually falling under warring with other city states, eventually falling under the dominion of Alexander the Great and his the dominion of Alexander the Great and his Macedonian armies. Macedonian armies.

Theater continued, but it would not return to the same Theater continued, but it would not return to the same creative heights until Elizabethan England two millenia creative heights until Elizabethan England two millenia later. later.