Unit Overview: Introduction to Ancient Greek Tragedy In this unit we will learn about: life in ancient Greece. ancient Greek Tragedy. Tragic Hero Archetype

Unit Overview: Introduction to Ancient

Greek TragedyIn this unit we will learn about:

• life in ancient Greece.

• ancient Greek Tragedy.

• Tragic Hero Archetype.

I. Life in Ancient Greece

• Greece reached peak - 6th and 5th centuries B.C., particularly in Athens.


Athens was the place to be. It was:

• named for the goddess, Athena.

• birthplace of democracy.

• center of commerce and the arts.


On the “cuttingedge,” achieving excellence in:• Philosophy• Art• History• Politics• Architecture


• Excellence is remarkable because:• Harsh environment and poverty, then

and now• 1/3 of Greece is bare rock where

nothing can grow or graze.


•Rock = Best potters and sculptors the world has ever seen.


• Sculpture - Realistic figures in marble or bronze

• Perfect human form

• Influences sculpture and life even today


• Our desire to look “perfect” has its origins in Greek culture.

• The next time you hop on a treadmill, or lift weights you have Classical Greek sculptors to thank.


• Emphasis on physical training.

• Good idea! There was hardly any standing army.Any man could become an “instant” solider.


• Physical excellence was appreciated in the athletic games held in the city of Olympia, the Olympics.


• Olive processing was a major industry.

• Olive trees symbols of peace.

• Winners in the games in Olympia received olive wreaths.

II. Greek Tragedy

• Ancient Greeks invented the art of drama.

• Some of the plays written at the time are still performed today.

II. Greek Tragedy

• Modern words from Greek words:

• Orchestra• Thespian• Drama• Dialogue• Scene• Comedy• Tragedy• Proscenium

II. Greek Tragedy

• Wealthy Athenian citizens subsidized the production of the plays.

• Plays performed annually at the spring festival to honor Dionysus.

II. Greek Tragedy

• The yearly Dionysia festivals were held in late March or early April.

• Festival disrupted city life and could not be contained –Quite a party!

• Going to plays was very popular.

• Performances lasted all day.

• Theatre was a sacrament, a form of worship. (Think of a highly dramatic, entertaining Mass.)

II. Greek Tragedy

• Theaters outdoor semicircular arenas called amphitheaters built of stone or wood.

• 15,000 to 17,000 spectators (all male)

II. Greek Tragedy

• Three playwrights each entered a play in the tragedy competition and one comedy into the satyr (risqué) competition.

II.Greek Tragedy

• The three greatest writers of tragedy were:

• Aeschylus(525-456 B.C.)

• Sophocles (496-406 B.C.)

• Euripides(485-406 B.C.)

II. Greek Tragedy

• The cast, all men, included a chorus, or group of men, who chanted and danced.

• Chorus is the Greek word for dance.

• One, two, or three actors. For most of the 5th century no more than 3 actors were used.

II. Greek Tragedy

• Chorus provided emotional bridge between actors and audience

• Made of citizen amateurs

II. Greek TragedyFive Functions of the

Chorus• Set the mood• Represent

common people• Take sides• Warn a character• Create a contrast

to the hero by expressing itself in common language

II.Greek TragedyCostumes and Scenery

• Minimal scenery and props

• Actors wore masks, platform shoes, and elongated togas with high waistbands.

• Masks stood for characters (grief, anger, happiness, bearded king, old man, young girl).

II.Greek TragedyConventions

• Plays observed Aritstotle’s 3 unities of time, place, and action.

Time–took place during a single day.

Place–one sceneAction–no

subplots

II.Greek TragedyConventions

• All violent action took place off stage.

• There was no suspense.

• Plays emphasized people, ideas, poetry.

• Emotions of characters most important element of any play.

II. Greek TragedyCharacteristics:Plays

• Worthy protagonist

• Imperfect, yet mature protagonist

• Inevitable disaster• Hero fights for

noble cause • Disequilibrium

(imbalance) rules the world of Greek tragedy.

II. Greek TragedyCharacteristics:Tragic

Hero• Believes in his freedom

to make choices • Has supreme pride,

hubris. • Large capacity for

suffering• Sense of commitment• Vigorous protest • Transfiguration,

becomes a better person.

• His tragedy cause for reflection about life.

II. Greek Tragedy:Structure

Encroachment• The hero bites

off more than he can chew and brings about his own destruction.


Complication• Forces of

opposition build up against the hero.

• Events become so deeply involved that no single event can resolve the disorder.


Reversal• Clear to

audience that hero’s expectations are mistaken.

• The hero may dimly see where his acts will lead him.

II.Greek Tragedy:Structure

Catastrophe• Moment hero

realizes his full guilt.

• Hero realizes his helplessness at the hands of the gods.

II.Greek Tragedy:Structure

Recognition• Chorus expresses a

larger order and sense of meaning to life exists beyond the hero’s downfall.

• Emotional rollercoaster ride is eased by catharsis occurs when the emotions of the audience are purged. Audience is reassured “it’s only a play.” Life goes on.

Documents

Unit Overview: Introduction to Ancient Greek Tragedy In this unit we will learn about: life in ancient Greece. ancient Greek Tragedy. Tragic Hero Archetype