Introduction to Greek DramaIntroduction to Greek Drama

TheaterTheaterTheater was a means forTheater was a means for

Entertainment for peopleEntertainment for peopleCompetition for writers Competition for writers Religion—honored godsReligion—honored godsCivic loyaltyCivic loyaltyHonor to local heroesHonor to local heroesSocial eventsSocial events To air important philosophical issuesTo air important philosophical issues

Origins of TheaterOrigins of Theater

Song and dance was used Song and dance was used to honor gods and to honor gods and celebrate special occasions celebrate special occasions Dionysus: the god of wine; Dionysus: the god of wine;

changing of seasonschanging of seasons City of Dionysia: religious City of Dionysia: religious

festival held in springfestival held in spring Dithyramb:Dithyramb: developed developed

from circle dances; hymn from circle dances; hymn sung to honor the godsung to honor the god

Performed by a masked Performed by a masked chorus of about 50 menchorus of about 50 men

Festivals had drama Festivals had drama competitions; 10 judgescompetitions; 10 judges

Major PlaywrightsMajor Playwrights Thespis = “Father of Drama”Thespis = “Father of Drama”

Added a character separate from the Added a character separate from the choruschorus

AeschylusAeschylus Added second actorAdded second actor

SophoclesSophocles Added third actorAdded third actor Fixed number in chorus to 15Fixed number in chorus to 15 Introduced painted sceneryIntroduced painted scenery Most successful in drama competitions Most successful in drama competitions

(won 24 of 30)(won 24 of 30) EuripidesEuripides

Reduced participation of chorus in main Reduced participation of chorus in main actionaction

Relied heavily on prologues Relied heavily on prologues AristophanesAristophanes Only comedic playwrightOnly comedic playwright

Sophocles

Physical Structure of TheaterPhysical Structure of TheaterTheaters were not buildings; usually Theaters were not buildings; usually

hillsides with wooden (later stone) hillsides with wooden (later stone) benches addedbenches added

Open airOpen air

Parts of the TheaterParts of the Theater TheatronTheatron

““seeing place” (where audience sat)seeing place” (where audience sat) Benches first wooden, later stoneBenches first wooden, later stone

OrchestraOrchestra 65 feet in diameter65 feet in diameter Circular dancing placeCircular dancing place Chorus and actors performed hereChorus and actors performed here

SkeneSkene Building made of wood (later stone) with several Building made of wood (later stone) with several

doors that opened to the audiencedoors that opened to the audience Used as dressing room, prop storageUsed as dressing room, prop storage Backdrop to action; built-in scenery (palace, Backdrop to action; built-in scenery (palace,

temple, etc), used for entrances/exits of temple, etc), used for entrances/exits of characterscharacters

Actors and ActingActors and Acting Actor and playwright were usually the same Actor and playwright were usually the same

(took leading role)(took leading role) Never more than 3 actors (each changed Never more than 3 actors (each changed

characters as needed) characters as needed) All male performers (no women; men played All male performers (no women; men played

female roles)female roles) Because theaters were so large, actors had Because theaters were so large, actors had

to exaggerate movements to be seento exaggerate movements to be seen

Costumes and MasksCostumes and Masks CostumesCostumes

Tragic actors wore colorful robesTragic actors wore colorful robes Chorus wore conventional costumes (soldiers, Chorus wore conventional costumes (soldiers,

priests, mourners, even frogs, birds, or wasps—in priests, mourners, even frogs, birds, or wasps—in comedies)comedies)

MasksMasks All participants except the musician wore them.All participants except the musician wore them. Began as realistic human facesBegan as realistic human faces Became less realistic (exaggeration)Became less realistic (exaggeration) Made of wool, linen, cork, wood; none have Made of wool, linen, cork, wood; none have

survivedsurvived Identified age, gender, and emotionIdentified age, gender, and emotion Exaggerated features: large eyes, open mouthExaggerated features: large eyes, open mouth

Mask of Dionysus

Mask of warrior

Mask of philosopher

Mask of woman

The ChorusThe Chorus Chanted, danced, commented on action of playChanted, danced, commented on action of play Accompanied by a single musician (played aulos: Accompanied by a single musician (played aulos:

pipe)pipe) Sets overall mood and expresses themeSets overall mood and expresses theme Adds beauty through song and danceAdds beauty through song and dance Gives background informationGives background information Divides action and offers reflections on eventsDivides action and offers reflections on events ChoragosChoragos

Leader of chorusLeader of chorus Sometimes involved in dialogueSometimes involved in dialogue Questions, advises, expresses opinionsQuestions, advises, expresses opinions Usually represents typical viewer’s reaction to the events of Usually represents typical viewer’s reaction to the events of

the playthe play

Dramatic ConventionsDramatic Conventions MessengerMessenger

Tells of news happening away from sceneTells of news happening away from scene Violence did not occur onstage; messenger Violence did not occur onstage; messenger

would describe in gory detailwould describe in gory detail LimitationsLimitations

Continuous presence of chorus “on stage”Continuous presence of chorus “on stage” No intermissionNo intermission No artificial lightingNo artificial lighting No curtainsNo curtains Few props (usually for character identification: Few props (usually for character identification:

swords, sticks, etc)swords, sticks, etc)

TragedyTragedyThe fall of a great man or woman.The fall of a great man or woman.Tragic hero: main character whose Tragic hero: main character whose

downfall is the result of a tragic flawdownfall is the result of a tragic flawPurpose: to inspire the audiences to Purpose: to inspire the audiences to

examine their own lives, define their examine their own lives, define their beliefs, and to cleanse their emotions of beliefs, and to cleanse their emotions of pity and terror through compassion for pity and terror through compassion for the character.the character.

Fifth century B.C. known as the Golden Fifth century B.C. known as the Golden Age of Greek Drama.Age of Greek Drama.