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Greek Theater

Greek Theatre

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Overview of Greek origins of Drama and Oedipus

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Page 1: Greek Theatre

Greek Theater

Page 2: Greek Theatre

The origins of dramaThe origins of drama

The earliest origins of drama are ancient hymns, called The earliest origins of drama are ancient hymns, called dithyrambs. These were sung in honor of the god dithyrambs. These were sung in honor of the god Dionysus. These hymns were later adapted for choral Dionysus. These hymns were later adapted for choral processions in which participants would dress up in processions in which participants would dress up in costumes and masks. costumes and masks.

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Word OriginWord Origin

The modern word The modern word “drama” comes “drama” comes form the Greek form the Greek word word drandran meaning meaning "to do" "to do"

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DefinitionDefinition

Dithyrambs: a poem, Dithyrambs: a poem, chant, or hymn of chant, or hymn of ancient Greece sung by ancient Greece sung by revelers at the festival in revelers at the festival in honor of the god honor of the god DionysusDionysus

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Greek TheaterGreek Theater

Greek tragedies and comedies were always performed Greek tragedies and comedies were always performed in outdoor theaters. in outdoor theaters.

Early Greek theaters were probably little more than Early Greek theaters were probably little more than open areas in city centers or next to hillsides where open areas in city centers or next to hillsides where the audience, standing or sitting, could watch and the audience, standing or sitting, could watch and listen to the chorus singing about the exploits of a listen to the chorus singing about the exploits of a god or hero. god or hero.

From the late 6th century BC to the 4th and 3rd From the late 6th century BC to the 4th and 3rd centuries BC there was a gradual evolution towards centuries BC there was a gradual evolution towards more elaborate theater structures, but the basic layout more elaborate theater structures, but the basic layout of the Greek theater remained the same of the Greek theater remained the same

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Parts of the TheaterParts of the TheaterOrchestraOrchestra: (literally, "dancing space") A circular : (literally, "dancing space") A circular

and level space where the chorus would dance, sing, and level space where the chorus would dance, sing, and interact with the actors who were on the stage and interact with the actors who were on the stage near the skene. near the skene.

TheatronTheatron: (literally, "viewing-place") This is where : (literally, "viewing-place") This is where the spectators sat. The theatron was usually part of the spectators sat. The theatron was usually part of hillside overlooking the orchestra.hillside overlooking the orchestra.

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Parts cont.Parts cont.

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

ParodosParodos: (literally, "passageways") The paths by : (literally, "passageways") The paths by which the chorus and some actors made their which the chorus and some actors made their entrances and exits. The audience also used them to entrances and exits. The audience also used them to enter and exit the theater before and after the enter and exit the theater before and after the performance.performance.

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Theatre Theatre of of

DionysusDionysus

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

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

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Word OriginWord Origin

The modern word The modern word “theater” comes from “theater” comes from the Greek word the Greek word theatrontheatron meaning meaning "seeing place" "seeing place"

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Why Dionysus?Why Dionysus? In Greek Mythology In Greek Mythology

Dionysus was the son of Dionysus was the son of Zeus. He is the only god Zeus. He is the only god born of one god and one born of one god and one mortal parent.mortal parent.

He was the god of wine, He was the god of wine, fertility and revelry. fertility and revelry.

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Dionysis cont.Dionysis cont.

He was raised by satyrs, killed, dismembered, and He was raised by satyrs, killed, dismembered, and resurrected (was actually reborn).resurrected (was actually reborn).

Other gods had temples, the cult of Dionysis met Other gods had temples, the cult of Dionysis met in the wood.in the wood.

It was believed that he could liberate and inspire It was believed that he could liberate and inspire man. It was also believed that he could endow man. It was also believed that he could endow man with divine creativity. Dionysus, thus, came man with divine creativity. Dionysus, thus, came to be considered a patron of the arts to be considered a patron of the arts

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In the sixth century BC, the Athenian ruler, In the sixth century BC, the Athenian ruler, Pisistratus, established the 'City Dionysia', a Pisistratus, established the 'City Dionysia', a festival of entertainment held in honor of the festival of entertainment held in honor of the god Dionysus.god Dionysus.

This festival featured competitions in music, This festival featured competitions in music, singing, dance and poetry. singing, dance and poetry.

The most remarkable of all the winners was The most remarkable of all the winners was said to be a wandering bard named said to be a wandering bard named Thespis.Thespis.

The “City Dionysia”The “City Dionysia”

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Word originWord origin

thespianthespian: :

1.1. Of or relating to drama; Of or relating to drama; dramatic: dramatic: thespian talents.thespian talents. 2.2. ThespianThespian Of or relating to Of or relating to Thespis Thespis

Does the name Thespis remind you of anything? Can you guess which modern word goes back to this early actor’s name?

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Four Qualities of Greek Four Qualities of Greek Drama:Drama:

1. Performed for special occasions (festivals). Athens had four festivals worshipping Dionysus.

2. Competitive--prizes were awarded. Actors and playwrights competed (Oedipus won 2nd place)

3. Choral – There was singing; the chorus was made up of men (from 3 to 50). The chorus sang, moved, and danced. They moved the story along.

4. The stories were based on myth or history

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Essential pieces of Greek Essential pieces of Greek dramadrama

The playThe play The actorsThe actors The chorusThe chorus

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The Play: Types of Greek The Play: Types of Greek DramaDrama

ComedyComedy TragedyTragedy Satyr PlaysSatyr Plays

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 theater.

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ComedyComedy

not admitted to Dionysus festival till 487-486 B.C. – not admitted to Dionysus festival till 487-486 B.C. – latelate

The first comedies were mainly satirical and mocked The first comedies were mainly satirical and mocked men in power for their vanity and foolishness. men in power for their vanity and foolishness.

The first master of comedy was the playwright The first master of comedy was the playwright Aristophanes.Aristophanes.

exaggerated, farcical, sensual pleasuresexaggerated, farcical, sensual pleasures

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Structure of the Comedy:Structure of the Comedy:

ProloguePrologue — leading character conceives a — leading character conceives a "happy idea" "happy idea"

ParadosParados: entrance of the chorus : entrance of the chorus AgonAgon: dramatized debate between proponent : dramatized debate between proponent

and opponent of the "happy idea"and opponent of the "happy idea"

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Comedy cont.Comedy cont.

ParabasisParabasis: chorus : chorus addresses audience on addresses audience on poet’s views on topic poet’s views on topic

EpisodesEpisodes: "Happy idea" : "Happy idea" is put to practical is put to practical application application

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The Greek tragedyThe Greek tragedy

Late point of attack Late point of attack Violence and death offstage Violence and death offstage Frequent use of messengers to relate information Frequent use of messengers to relate information Usually continuous time of action Usually continuous time of action Usually single place Usually single place Stories based on myth or history, but varied Stories based on myth or history, but varied

interpretations of events interpretations of events Focus is on psychological and ethical attributes of Focus is on psychological and ethical attributes of

characters, rather than physical and sociological.characters, rather than physical and sociological.

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Tragedy cont.Tragedy cont.

Tragedy dealt with love, loss, pride, the abuse of Tragedy dealt with love, loss, pride, the abuse of power and the fraught relationships between men and power and the fraught relationships between men and gods. gods.

Typically the main protagonist of a tragedy commits Typically the main protagonist of a tragedy commits some terrible crime without realizing how foolish and some terrible crime without realizing how foolish and arrogant he has been. Then, as he slowly realizes his arrogant he has been. Then, as he slowly realizes his error, the world crumbles around him. error, the world crumbles around him.

The three great playwrights of tragedy were The three great playwrights of tragedy were Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides.

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Word OriginWord Origin

The word The word tragedytragedy came came to be derived from the to be derived from the

Greek Greek tragostragos (goat) (goat) and and odeode (poem). (poem). Tragedy literally means Tragedy literally means goat song or goat poem.goat song or goat poem.

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The Structure of Greek The Structure of Greek TragedyTragedy

ProloguePrologue, which described the situation and set the scene , which described the situation and set the scene ParadosParados, an ode sung by the chorus as it made its , an ode sung by the chorus as it made its

entrance entrance Five dramatic scenesFive dramatic scenes, each followed by a , each followed by a KomosKomos, an , an

exchange of laments by the chorus and the protagonist exchange of laments by the chorus and the protagonist ExodusExodus, the climax and conclusion , the climax and conclusion Tragedies were often presented in trilogies. Interspersed Tragedies were often presented in trilogies. Interspersed

between the three plays in the trilogy were between the three plays in the trilogy were satyr playssatyr plays, in , in which satyrs (men dressed as half-goats) made fun of the which satyrs (men dressed as half-goats) made fun of the characters in the surrounding tragedies. characters in the surrounding tragedies.

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Tragic flawTragic flawa flaw or mistake that brings about the downfall of a flaw or mistake that brings about the downfall of

the hero of a tragedy the hero of a tragedy The Greek term "harmartia," typically translated as The Greek term "harmartia," typically translated as

"tragic flaw," actually is closer in meaning to a "tragic flaw," actually is closer in meaning to a "mistake" or an "error," "failing," rather than an "mistake" or an "error," "failing," rather than an innate flaw. innate flaw.

The character's flaw must result from something that The character's flaw must result from something that is also a central part of their virtue, which goes is also a central part of their virtue, which goes somewhat arwry, usually due to a lack of somewhat arwry, usually due to a lack of knowledge. knowledge.

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Satyr PlaysSatyr Plays

These were short plays These were short plays performed between the acts of performed between the acts of tragedies. They made fun of tragedies. They made fun of the plight of the tragedy's the plight of the tragedy's characters. characters.

The satyrs were mythical half-The satyrs were mythical half-human, half-goat servants of human, half-goat servants of Dionysus. Dionysus.

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Word OriginWord Origin

Does the term Satyr Does the term Satyr remind you of any remind you of any modern day term?modern day term?

The Satyr and the Satyr The Satyr and the Satyr plays spawned the plays spawned the modern word modern word satiresatire..

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The ActorsThe Actors All of the actors and All of the actors and

playwrights were men. playwrights were men. Women were not allowed to Women were not allowed to participate. participate.

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

Gestures and body Gestures and body movements were controlled movements were controlled and stately and stately

If playing female role — If playing female role — need for female appearance need for female appearance — wore the — wore the prosternida prosternida before the chest and the before the chest and the progastridaprogastrida before the belly before the belly

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The ChorusThe Chorus

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

which action will be judged which action will be judged ideal spectator - reacts as playwright hopes audience ideal spectator - reacts as playwright hopes audience

would 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 rhythmical function - pauses / paces the action so that

the audience can reflect.the audience can reflect.

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SophoclesSophocles Sophocles: (496-406 B.C.) Sophocles: (496-406 B.C.)

The son of a wealthy merchant, The son of a wealthy merchant, he would enjoy all the comforts he would enjoy all the comforts of a thriving Greek empire. of a thriving Greek empire.

By the age of sixteen, he was By the age of sixteen, he was chosen to lead a choir of boys at chosen to lead a choir of boys at a celebration of the victory of a celebration of the victory of Salamis. Salamis.

By age 28 his studies complete, By age 28 his studies complete, and he was ready to compete in and he was ready to compete in the City Dionysia--a festival held the City Dionysia--a festival held every year at the Theatre of every year at the Theatre of Dionysus in which new plays Dionysus in which new plays were presented. were presented.

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Sophocles cont.Sophocles cont. won 24 contests, never lower than 2won 24 contests, never lower than 2ndnd

Added a third actor and scenery Added a third actor and scenery Concerned with the relationship between gods and human Concerned with the relationship between gods and human

fate fate Concerned with tragic irony, the contrast between human Concerned with tragic irony, the contrast between human

fate and human ignorance fate and human ignorance Concerned with the importance of free will/moral choice Concerned with the importance of free will/moral choice Struggle even if struggle is hopeless; each character Struggle even if struggle is hopeless; each character

embodies a certain moral ideal embodies a certain moral ideal Portrays humans as they OUGHT to be Portrays humans as they OUGHT to be Believed evil/moral failings stemmed from ignoranceBelieved evil/moral failings stemmed from ignorance

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Characteristics of Sophocles' plays:

complex characters, psychologically well-motivated complex characters, psychologically well-motivated emphasis on individual characters emphasis on individual characters characters subjected to crisis leading to suffering and characters subjected to crisis leading to suffering and

self recognition - including a higher law above man self recognition - including a higher law above man exposition carefully motivated exposition carefully motivated scenes suspense fully climactic scenes suspense fully climactic action clear and logical action clear and logical poetry clear and beautiful poetry clear and beautiful few elaborate visual effects few elaborate visual effects theme emphasized: the choices of peopletheme emphasized: the choices of people

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We will be looking at:We will be looking at: Oedipus: Oedipus: The story of Oedipus was well known legend to Sophocles’ The story of Oedipus was well known legend to Sophocles’

audience. audience. Aristotle used this play and its plot as the supreme example of Aristotle used this play and its plot as the supreme example of

tragedy tragedy Sigmund Freud famously based his theory of the “Oedipal Sigmund Freud famously based his theory of the “Oedipal

Complex” on this storyComplex” on this storyAntigone:Antigone: AntigoneAntigone was probably the first of the three Theban plays that was probably the first of the three Theban plays that

Sophocles wrote, although the events dramatized in it happen Sophocles wrote, although the events dramatized in it happen last. last.

Antigone is one of the first heroines in literature, a woman who Antigone is one of the first heroines in literature, a woman who fights against a male power structure, exhibiting greater bravery fights against a male power structure, exhibiting greater bravery than any of the men who scorn her. than any of the men who scorn her.

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The Final CurtainThe Final Curtain By the time of Sophocles' death in 406 BC (128 years By the time of Sophocles' death in 406 BC (128 years

after Thespis' victory in the first Athenian drama after Thespis' victory in the first Athenian drama competition) the golden era of Greek drama was competition) the golden era of Greek drama was ending. ending.

Athens, whose free-thinking culture had spawned the Athens, whose free-thinking culture had spawned the birth of theater, would be overrun in 404 BC by the birth of theater, would be overrun in 404 BC by the Spartans, and would later be torn apart by constant Spartans, and would later be torn apart by constant warring with other city states, eventually falling warring with other city states, eventually falling under the dominion of Alexander the Great and his under the dominion of Alexander the Great and his Macedonian armies. Macedonian armies.

Theater continued, but it would not return to the same Theater continued, but it would not return to the same creative heights until Elizabethan England two creative heights until Elizabethan England two millenia later. millenia later.