Theatre and democracy: greek

theatre

Theatre and democracy: greek

theatre

Festival TheatreFestival Theatre

Just by the name, what can we ASSUME about this type of theatre?

Just by the name, what can we ASSUME about this type of theatre?

SummarySummary Until the 16th Century A.D, theatre in

the Western world was performed primarily as part of festivals

Until the 16th Century A.D, theatre in the Western world was performed primarily as part of festivals

• It was financed by the community and performed for the community

• theatrical performances were presented as offerings to a god and for the enjoyment of the general populace

• ancient Greece, Rome and medieval Europe

Greek TheatreGreek Theatre

Why did it take from 2000 BC until 534 BC for civilization to go from “Passion” Plays to “Theatre”?

Why did it take from 2000 BC until 534 BC for civilization to go from “Passion” Plays to “Theatre”?

The belief in the ability of human beings to make significant decisions contrasted sharply with the beliefs of earlier societies that people are pawns of supernatural forces

The belief in the ability of human beings to make significant decisions contrasted sharply with the beliefs of earlier societies that people are pawns of supernatural forces

Democracy, democracy, democracy!!! Democracy, democracy, democracy!!!

The theatre of ancient greece: The Origins Of Drama

The theatre of ancient greece: The Origins Of Drama

The dithyrambs (choral song and dance) The dithyrambs (choral song and dance)

thespis thespis

The City Dionysia FestivalThe City Dionysia Festival

'City Dionysia', a festival of entertainment held in honor of the god Dionysus.

'City Dionysia', a festival of entertainment held in honor of the god Dionysus.

music, singing, dance and poetry. music, singing, dance and poetry.

three tragedies, or a trilogy. three tragedies, or a trilogy.

satyr plays satyr plays

Word OriginWord Origin

The modern word “thespian” comes from the name Thespis.

The modern word “thespian” comes from the name Thespis.

Communal InvolvementCommunal Involvement

The entire city would be in attendance. The entire city would be in attendance.

All other businesses not directly involved with the 6-day festival would shut down, so that everyone could attend.

All other businesses not directly involved with the 6-day festival would shut down, so that everyone could attend.

The government even offered financial assistance to those who could not afford to attend.

The government even offered financial assistance to those who could not afford to attend.

The Theatre

ofDionysus

The Theatre

ofDionysus

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

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

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

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

Plays were performed out-of-doors. Plays were performed out-of-doors.

AmphitheatresAmphitheatres

The side of the mountain was scooped out into a bowl shape, something like our amphitheatres today, and tiers of stone seats in concentric semi-circles were built on the hill.

The side of the mountain was scooped out into a bowl shape, something like our amphitheatres today, and tiers of stone seats in concentric semi-circles were built on the hill.

These theatres often seated as many as 20,000 spectators, with a special first row being reserved for dignitaries.

These theatres often seated as many as 20,000 spectators, with a special first row being reserved for dignitaries.

TheatronTheatron The theatron (literally, "viewing-place")

is where the spectators sat. The theatron was usually part of hillside overlooking the orchestra, and often wrapped around a large portion of the orchestra.

The theatron (literally, "viewing-place") is where the spectators sat. The theatron was usually part of hillside overlooking the orchestra, and often wrapped around a large portion of the orchestra.

OrchestraOrchestra The orchestra (literally, "dancing space") was normally circular. It was a level space where the chorus would dance, sing, and interact with the actors who were on the stage (called the

Proskenion) in front of the skene. In the center of the orchestra there was often an altar.

The orchestra (literally, "dancing space") was normally circular. It was a level space where the chorus would dance, sing, and interact with the actors who were on the stage (called the

Proskenion) in front of the skene. In the center of the orchestra there was often an altar.

SkeneSkene The skene (literally,

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

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

ParadosParados The parodoi (literally, "passageways") are

the paths by which the chorus and some actors (such as those representing messengers or people returning from abroad) made their entrances and exits.

The parodoi (literally, "passageways") are the paths by which the chorus and some actors (such as those representing messengers or people returning from abroad) made their entrances and exits.

The ActorsThe Actors All of the actors were men.

Women were not allowed to participate.

All of the actors were men. Women were not allowed to participate.

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

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

If playing a female role, the male actor had a special female costume that he would wear

If playing a female role, the male actor had a special female costume that he would wear

The ChorusThe Chorus

Because of the dithyrambic origins of Greek drama, the plays featured Choruses.

Because of the dithyrambic origins of Greek drama, the plays featured Choruses.

The chorus danced and either sung or chanted their lines.

The chorus danced and either sung or chanted their lines.

• Group of similarly costumed men

The ChorusThe Chorus• Expression through mask and movement

• Being a part of the chorus was a part of Greek civic education

Functions of the chorusFunctions of the chorus an agent: gives advice, asks, takes part an agent: gives advice, asks, takes part establishes ethical framework, sets up

standard by which action will be judged: comments on the action of the play and represents the populace

establishes ethical framework, sets up standard by which action will be judged: comments on the action of the play and represents the populace

ideal spectator - reacts as playwright hopes audience would

ideal spectator - reacts as playwright hopes audience would

sets mood and heightens dramatic effects sets mood and heightens dramatic effects

adds movement, spectacle, song, and dance.

adds movement, spectacle, song, and dance.

rhythmical function - pauses / paces the action so that the audience can reflect.

rhythmical function - pauses / paces the action so that the audience can reflect.

Working in the SpaceWorking in the Space

Because of the distance between actors and the audience, the actors, who were all men, used broad gestures and histrionic speech.

Because of the distance between actors and the audience, the actors, who were all men, used broad gestures and histrionic speech.

The actor made himself taller by wearing thick-soled shoes called cothurnis and a high head piece called an onkus.

The actor made himself taller by wearing thick-soled shoes called cothurnis and a high head piece called an onkus.

The masks assisting in projecting the actor’s voice through a type of inside megaphone.

The masks assisting in projecting the actor’s voice through a type of inside megaphone.

Types of Greek DramaTypes of Greek Drama

Comedy Tragedy Satyr

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 theatre.

Comedy Tragedy Satyr

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 theatre.