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Introduction to Greek Drama

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1 Introduction to Greek Drama
Socio-Political Background Impact of Religious Ideas Origins of Greek Drama Stage Conventions

2 Socio-Political Background
Athens, Greece, fifth century B.C.E. Focus on art & literature Architecture, sculpture, and pottery DRAMA was born Democracy of elected officials Women & slaves excluded

3 ATHENS

4 Religious Ideas Polytheistic belief system
Strong belief in Fate (pre-ordained events) Consulted oracles and soothsayers Obeyed omens and dreams Pride and excess were sins punished by gods Respect in death shown through burial

5 DIONYSUS God of Wine & Agriculture Patron god of Greek Theater
Zeus’ son Associated with revelry and excess

6 Origins of Greek Drama Drama started as part of religious festivals
They believed that Dionysus was pleased by theatrical performances in his honor The performances developed in complexity Plays often taught moral lesson

7 Early THEATERs First theater built on slopes of the Acropolis, which was the center of worship in Athens. Audience sat in the open air on benches, surrounding the stage on three sides. Because it was religious, the performance was dignified and serious.

8 Example of theater

9 Early Theater

10 Stage Conventions Use of dramatic irony (audience knows more than characters on stage) Acted in daytime, no lights, no curtains, few seats Actors all male, who wore masks & wigs to play different characters, both male & female Plays written in poetic verse, not prose No violence on stage—messengers told audience of deaths/killings

11 Stage Conventions (Cont.)
Three unities used to increase intensity Unity of TIME Took place during 24 hour period Unity of PLACE Took place in one setting Unity of PLOT Focus on main character; no sub-plots Use of a chorus

12 Greek Chorus 15-20 men representing citizens of Athens Always on stage
Frequently sang and danced Always had a leader who carried on in dialogue with main characters or chorus

13 FUnction of CHorus Interpret/summarize events Ask questions
Give advice, if asked Give background info Act like a jury of elders, who listened to evidence of play and reach moral conclusion

14 PURPOSE OF MASKS Be visible to audience in the back
Be audible to audience Opening for mouth like a megaphone Enable men to play women Allow one actor to play multiple parts Show the actor’s emotions

15 Examples of Masks

16 MACHINERY Aeorema Periactoi Ekeclema
A crane that lowered actors down, especially gods who would solve all problems at the end Deus ex machina : “god by machine” gods would fix everything by magic Periactoi 2 pillars on either side of stage that would rotate to change scenery Ekeclema Rolls out a platform to display the bodies

17 Types of Drama Comedy Dithyramb Tragedy
Often obscene, full of insults, vulgar Common people Dithyramb Songs in lyrical verse Like an opera Tragedy A story of disaster and destruction Noble people

18 TRAGEDY “Goat-song” Three greatest Greek Tragedians: Aeschylus
One of three types of Greek drama Three greatest Greek Tragedians: Aeschylus Sophocles Euripides

19 Sophocles Athens, Greece (496?-406 B.C.E.)
First victory at Greater Dionysia (principal dramatic festival) in 486 B.C.E. Never won less than 2nd prize Won 1st prize at least 18 times! Member of the Athenian senate Wrote 123 plays, only 7 survive Include Oedipus Rex and Antigone Frequent themes of fate versus free will

20 TRAGIC HERO A great man with one tragic flaw which brings about his downfall. Tragic flaw is often hubris, an excess of pride, usually spiritual pride. As the hero accepts the consequences of his actions, he teaches the audience some truth about life. Audience purges their own anxieties through actions of hero, called a catharsis. Catharsis is Greek for cleanse


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