1. Christina Murakami Webcam Image Courtesy of Shutterstock Greek Drama Greek Theater Travel Journal About Our TripVirtual Field Trip Menu

2. About Our Trip……Theater was a celebration in ancient Greece. The Athenians of the fifth century B.C. held festivals to honor Dionysus, their god of wine. During these holidays, citizens gathered to watch competitions between playwrights, who presented plays derived from well-known myths. These plays depicted events that exposed arrogance and that emphasized reverence for the gods. Egyptian Pharaoh image Courtesy of Nova Development. VFT MENU

3. Sophocles wrote three tragedies about the royal family of Thebes, a city in northeastern Greece. These tragedies were Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone. Antigone follows the crimes of Oedipus and the civil war between her brothers. Her Uncle Creon is now leader and order that one of her brothers will not receive burial rights. So begins Antigone… Egyptian Pharaoh image Courtesy of Nova Development. VFT MENU

4. Describe the structure and purpose of ancient Greek theater. Describe and identify the characteristics of ancient Greek drama. Explain the role of the Chorus. Explain the Myth of Oedipus. Identify the conflict in Antigone. Egyptian Pharaoh image Courtesy of Nova Development. Glossary of Trip VFT MENU

5. Orchestra- in modern drama, this is called the stage, but in Ancient Greek theater, it was called the orchestra or the dancing place of the Chorus. Chorus- central to the production and important in interpreting the meaning of plays. Their main function was to sing and dance choral songs. Choragos- Leader of the Chorus. Parados- Entrance song of the Chorus. Exodus- Final existing scene. Dionysus – God of wine Paean- Thanksgiving to the god Dionysus Egyptian Pharaoh image Courtesy of Nova Development. VFT MENU

6. Egyptian Pharaoh image Courtesy of Nova Development. Sophocles Theater Chorus

7. Greek Theater finds its origins in religious rites that date back to 1200 BC. The worshippers of Dionysus exhibited emotional hysteria or “ectasis” that followers related to purification. This emotional display evolved in time into Greek theater. Egyptian Pharaoh image Courtesy of Nova Development. Google Earth: “Lets Go There” Theater Travel Journal Theater Web Links The Structure Theaters Video VFT MENU

8. Sophocles Web Links Biography Biography The ancient Greek dramatists Sophocles wrote on hundred plays, but only seven remain in existence. His most famous are the three dealing with Oedipus Rex (Oedipus the King), Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone. This trilogy was written over a span of forty years. Born in Kolonos, near Athens, Sophocles was one of the most respected Greek dramatists of his time. Sophocles frequently won first place in the competitions of plays performed in the Dionysian festivals. Sophocles was mainly concerned with the search for truth and self-understanding, even when the search leads to tragedy. Egyptian Pharaoh image Courtesy of Nova Development. Play history Sophocles Travel Journal VFT MENU

9. Chorus Web Links Some readers think Sophocles gives so important a statement to the Chorus because he regards its members as a collective conscience for the community. Others disagree. They claim the chorus is best understood as another character who is no more or less complicated than the other players. There is no single way to interpret the chorus and its role, but most commentators stress its importance. Egyptian Pharaoh image Courtesy of Nova Development. Background The Actors Chorus Travel Journal VFT MENU

10. Egyptian Pharaoh image Courtesy of Nova Development. Theater Travel Questions (click image) Sophocles Travel Questions (click image) Chorus Travel Questions (click image) VFT MENU

11. Travel Journal Egyptian Pharaoh image Courtesy of Nova Development. Pyramid image Courtesy of Paul Brown/Alamy. YOUR TRIP WILL BEGIN MOMENTARILY VFT MENU