Classical Greek Drama

Page 248-249

Reasons for the theatre:

Entertainment Show religion Advance and show loyalty to politics Honor local heroes Major social event Competition Discussion of philosophical issues

Greek Theatre

One of the oldest forms of theatre Came from religion and myths Gained popularity in 6th century BC Performance Origins:

Dionysus: God of wine; people danced and sang to Dionysus at festivals

Thespis: Lyric Poet; introduced us to a single actor *Today actors are called thespians!

Aeschylus: Added a second actor Sophocles: Adding a third

Origins of Greek Drama

Chorus: A group of actors that voiced

attitudes of the community Thespians: Actors Drama: Greek word for “doing”

In what ways are Greek dramas different from Homer’s epics?

Greek Theatre Vocabulary

Athens 15,000 people The actors had to exaggerate their movements or

they couldn’t be seen by the whole audience Only men performed Masks were worn

Made of Linen Wood Wool Plaster

At the Theater

Actors wore robes which seemed to evolve

into costumes Chorus members dressed in the roles they

were playing Examples: soldiers, priests, animals, etc.

Open-air: Used natural light and heat Few props

Only used as symbols to identify roles Example: A soldier would carry a sword and shield

At the Theater

A messenger would usually deliver bad news

in detail For Example: Violence occurred off stage

Murder Suicide Battles

At the Theater

Festival of Dionysus In Athens Drama competition Four greatest Greek dramatists

Aeschylus Sophocles Euripides Aristophanes

Greek Festival

Comedies

Made fun of society, politics, gods Tragedies

Fall of a great man or woman The Tragic hero is neither very good or very bad The hero’s downfall is brought on my a flaw within their character The tragic flaw encourages people to look at their own lives to

define their beliefs Familiar Themes

Myths History Politicians Humankind’s struggle to find meaning and self-understanding

Topics of Plays

5th century BC during the Golden Age of

Greece Political and cultural achievement

Born into a wealthy family Handsome Athletic Skilled in music Studied tragedy, music composition, and

choreography

Sophocles: Page 250

Wrote 120 plays 24 won first prize at the festival Only 7 survived intact Oedipus the King is the one of the best!

Innovation: Introduced a third actor to the stage Invented scenery Invented special effects

Example: Lowing an actor from the sky

Sophocles: Writing

Is it always better to know the truth? Would you rather have someone lie to you if it

will save your feelings? Give examples.

Oedipus Preview

According to Legend . . .

Oedipus arrived at Thebes A sphinx (wings, lion’s body, woman’s head)

was killing people In order to save them, someone had to answer

this riddle: What walks on four legs in the morning, two at

noon, and three in the evening? Your Answer ____________________________________

Oedipus Preview

Oedipus answered correctly: Man Man crawls as a baby, walks on two legs as a

man, and uses a stick in old age When the sphinx heard this, she killed herself Oedipus became king Oedipus married the widowed queen Jocasta

Oedipus Preview

Chorus: Danced and chanted between

scenes, commented on action; express social and religious views

Dignity: The quality of being worthy of honor Vengeance: Revenge; The return of a harmful

deed for a harmful deed Denounce: To inform against, accuse publicly Dire: Terrible; bad enough to arouse dread

Vocabulary

Denotation: Dictionary meaning Connotation: Emotional meaning it evokes

Lit Terms