The Roots of DramaDrama is a Greek word meaning to do or to
act.Drama is rooted in sacred ritual.It has been built on
traditions that are up to 2500 years old.The earliest forms of
civilization acted out activities that were important to them
before engaging in them. They believed that this form of drama
would grant them success in meeting their real needs. They felt
that by imitating the intended act, they would increase their
chances of success in the act.Many plays were performed by these
people to teach the young boys about the rituals they would soon
partake in (hunting, fishing, war, etc.). Can you think of how
individuals in todays society might do the same thing?Since most
people were not able to read, religious plays were performed to
teach important religious beliefs that the particular culture held
in highest esteem. Are religious plays performed in our
society?AncientRituals(Google Images)(History of Theatre)
Ancient FestivalMany cultures made use of choral hymns and
dances in their worship. This practice parallels what we commonly
see in musicals that are performed in todays society.Classical
forms of tragedy and comedy are said to have sprung from these folk
celebrations.Todays drama is the direct descendant of primitive
ritual, teaching ceremony and ancient festival.Isnt it interesting
how although so much has changed, so much has also remained the
same?Do you think this will be true 100 years from now?(History of
Theatre)(Theater Animations)
Greek TheatreThe Classic, or Golden Age of Greece (500-400 BC)
brought about the greatest tragedies of all time. The legacy of
Greek Theatre has never been surpassedeven to this day.Greek drama
has its roots in Greek religion.Celebrations were held in honor of
the god of wine and fertility, Dionysus. During these celebrations,
dancers would chant around the altar.This chanting evolved into
Greek Tragedy, and the dancers became known as the chorus.Tragedy
competitions were held in Athens each spring between many
playwrights.By the 5th century, BC, a man named Thespis of Attica
invented acting by designating one member of the chorus to stand
out from the chorus and respond to them. This is why actors are
often called Thespians.Statues of Greek actors(Google
Images)(History of Theatre)
Greek TheatreSpecial practices of drama are called conventions
and are based upon the traditions and customs of that particular
time period. Greek Conventions:ChorusPlays were performed
outdoorsActing area was called the orchestraTheatres sat up to
17,000 peopleActors wore thick shoes to appear tallerOnly three
actors played all major rolesLong speeches were the rule, rather
than quick exchanges of dialogue Speeches were delivered more to
the audience than other characters, taking away even more of the
realism we expect todayRule: ALL VIOLENCE MUST TAKE PLACE OFFSTAGE.
Acts of violence must be out of sight by the audience. Usually a
messenger or other character would enter and tell about the murder,
suicide, or whatever had happened.Masks were constructed so that
the mouthpiece amplified the actors voicePlays were based on myths
and legends that the audience already knew about. The audience
usually knew in advance how each play would end. This allowed the
audience to concentrate on appreciating the poetry of the speeches,
the skill of the actors presentations, and the spectacle of masks,
costumes, and movements of the chorus.The Greek Chorus(Google
Images)(History of Theatre)
Greek PlaywrightsAeschylus (525-456 BC)Often called the Father
of TragedyPlays dealt with the interaction between gods and men,
with emphasis on the inevitability of suffering. Known for his
Orestia trilogySophocles (496-406 BC)Responsible for the addition
of the third actor on stageHe wrote over one hundred playsHe won
the City Dionysia prize 18 timesOnly seven of this plays have
survivedKnown for Oedipus RexEuripedes (480-406 BC)Youngest, most
modern, and least popular of the three great writers of tragedy.
Emphasized psychological motivation and social
consciousnessAppealed to the emotions by including in his plays a
look at the small details of the daily lives of his characters
Aeschylus wrote about gods, Sophocles wrote about heroes, and
Euripedes wrote about men.Sophocles(Google Images)(History of
Theatre)
Greek PlaywrightsAristophanes (448380 BC)The eleven surviving
plays are the only examples we have of what is called Old
Comedy.Wrote very funny and popular social satireHe poked fun at
public figures such as Socrates and Euripedes.He was not above
having the gods come out second best in plays.Menander (342-291
BC)He is known for New Comedy.The only surviving work of this style
was written by MenanderHe wrote comedies dealing with daily life
and domestic situationsHis plays featured characters such as clever
servants, protective fathers, and young loverstypes who have been
standards in the comic theatre ever since.Aristophanes(Google
Images)(History of Theatre)
