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Introduction to Greek Drama

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1 Introduction to Greek Drama
English II PAP Mr. Sands

2 SOPHOCLES Born in Colonus, Greece in 497 B.C.
Died in 406 B. C. at approximately 90 years old Lived during the Golden Age of Greece He was a successful musician, athlete and respected playwright He was also active in social and political life. He held several priesthoods, was imperial treasurer in 443 B.C., and a general in 440 B.C.

3 Sophocles as a Playwright
In the drama festivals of his day, he won the first place prize for best play twenty-four times. He wrote more than a hundred plays but only seven remain. The most famous of his plays being: Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, Antigone and Electra.

4 Sophocles’ Impact on Drama
Expanded its format by adding a third actor Increased dialogue Decreased the importance of the chorus by fixing its number at 15 Invented painted scenery and added flute music in the background Made each play of a trilogy stand by itself as a separate story

5 Structure of a Greek Tragedy
Prologue – the actors present the opening situation on stage Parados – the entering song and dance of the chorus Episodes – periods of more action by the actors Stasima/Stasimon – choral ode or song commenting on the action Exodus – the last action of the play

6 The Greek Theatre *like an outdoor stadium that could hold from 15,000 – 20,000 people

7 The Greek Theatre Semi-circular in shape
Theatron = area of seats for the audience hollowed out from the hillside Orchestra = large area in front of the stage where the chorus sang and danced Thymele = the altar centered in the orchestra used for sacrifices to Dionysus Parados = walled walkway used by the chorus to enter and exit the stage Pro-scenium = a long, low stage behind the orchestra Skene = building that contained the actors’ dressing rooms

8 Greeks’ Special Effects
deus ex machina (“god from the machine”) = type of crane used for suspending figures who portrayed gods eccylema = moveable or revolving platform There were no curtains, intermissions, lights, or microphones. Because of this, all scenes took place in daylight settings, all scenes changes had to be built into the dialogue of the actors and the chorus and actors had to have strong voices

9 The Actors Only 3 actors that wore masks to play multiple parts
All actors were men because it was considered undignified for women to appear on stage Wore padded costumes, wigs and high-heeled boots to make them taller and give them added dignity and power Actors had to be able to speak in poetic language and sing using a loud and clear voice

10 The Chorus Consisted of singers and dancers led by a conductor
Started out with 50 people but Sophocles fixed the number at 15 The playwright used the chorus and their songs to: Add the beauty of song and dance Set the mood or express the main themes of the play by commenting on the action Create a bridge between the actors and the audience Converse with and give advice to the actors Tell about events that have already happened in the past Foretell the future by interpreting the actions of the actors

11 The Stories Originally hymns and prayers honoring the gods, especially Dionysus Over time, content changed to legends of Greek leaders and heroes Tragedy = showed what happened to a person who went against the laws of the gods or who was too proud

12 Tragedy Stems from the Greek belief that man was subject to the whims of the gods and fate The root of Greek tragedy is that man can not avoid suffering Man’s fault = pride, a mistaken belief that he could somehow avoid fate or the will of the gods

13 Hubris Excessive pride
Leads to suffering and then to an understanding (catharsis) of man’s place in the system of life The audience was to learn a lesson through the tragedies that befell the characters on stage because they did not follow the will of the gods or because they tried to avoid their own destiny based in hubris

14 Origin of Drama Developed by ancient Greeks during celebrations honoring Dionysus Dionysus = god of the vine which produced grapes for wine; associated with resurrection and suffering Because of the choral songs, the early Greek plays resembled what we call opera today

15 Festival of Dionysus Took place in Athens during 5 days in March or April First day = procession honoring Dionysus in which all citizens participated Second day = the choral songs were performed Last 3 days = three tragedies followed by one satyr (satire – mock heroic tragedies) play and one comedy were performed

16 Festival of Dionysus cont.
The archon, a state official, selected three poets to compete for the prizes in the tragedy division. The choregus, a wealthy, prominent citizen of Athens, was required by law to pay for the cost of training and costumes for the chorus. A jury of 10 citizens selected the winning poet The playwright served as a sort of teacher, offering plays for the ethical and moral improvement of his fellow citizens to insure the spiritual survival of the community

17 Antigone Third of Sophocles’ Theban plays
Antigone = Oedipus’ daughter; princess of Thebes Breaks the law to bury her brother who has been labeled a traitor by the king, her uncle.

18 Oedipus Background Look at the Oedipus Family Tree…do you notice anything strange? Read the Oedipus handout and answer the corresponding questions

19 The Oedipus Family Tree
The Perfect Jerry Springer Episode

20 King Oedipus married Queen Jocasta (his mother-ewww!)
They had 4 children (Eww): -Eteocles -Antigone -Polynices -Ismene / / Sons (O’s brothers?) Daughters (sisters?) Fight for Thebes Go back to Thebes Cursed by dying father Kill each other

21 King Creon of Thebes married Queen Eurydice
Creon is Oedipus’ uncle, Jocasta’s brother (also Oedipus’ brother-in-law) They have two sons: Megareus Haemon / / dies during betrothed to Antigone, siege of Thebes his cousin

22 Sources Jessica Nugent – CHHS, Colleyville, TX
Stefanie Tziarri – Lawrence High School, Mercer County, NJ

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