1. Characteristics of Greek Theatre
Performed for special occasions (Festivals to worship the Gods)
Competitive- 3 playwrights competed, as did actors
Choral singing was important. The chorus was all men and varied from 3 to 50 people.
Closely associated with religion. Stories were based on myth and history.

2. The Actors The actors wore large, colorful, decorative robes
They wore extra-large white gloves
They wore masks that had over-exaggerated features and contained large mouths that were shaped like a megaphone
They wore large, platform shoes
They were all men, and only one-three actors played all of the parts

3. The Dramatic Structure
Ancient Greek Theatre

4. The Prologue
The opening portion of the play that sets the scene and contains the exposition.

5. The Parados
The entrance song
of the chorus.

6. Episodes
Scenes in the action of the drama. The episodes are performed by the actors. There are usually four episodes in a Greek tragedy.

7. Stasimons (Odes)
Choral passages alternating with the episodes of the plot of the drama. The chorus sang and danced these tragic odes. There are usually four stasimons in a Greek tragedy.

8. The Strophe & The Antistrophe
During the strophe, the chorus danced one way around the orchestra.
During the antistrophe, the chorus changed directions and went the opposite way around the orchestra.

9. The Exodos
The concluding section of the tragedy that ends with the chorus singing their final lines as they exit.

10. Characteristics of a Greek Tragedy

11. Characteristics of Greek Tragedy
Late point of attack
Violence and death offstage
Frequent use of messengers to relate information
Continuous time of action
Single setting
Stories based on myths
Focus is on the psychological and ethical attributes of characters, not physical and sociological.

12. Characteristics of a Tragic Hero

13. The tragic hero is a character of noble stature and greatness
The tragic hero is a character of noble stature and greatness. The character must occupy a high position in society.

14. The tragic hero is good, but they are not perfect
The tragic hero is good, but they are not perfect. The audience should be able to identify with the hero.

15. Peripeteia A reversal of intention:
something occurs that is the opposite of what the hero intended.

16. The character brings about his own downfall
The character brings about his own downfall. Usually, this occurs through hamartia, their tragic flaw.

17. The hero undergoes anagnorisis: a scene of recognition where the character makes a critical discovery
The fall is not pure loss. The hero usually gains some self-knowledge or learns something because of their fall.

18. The hero undergoes a reversal of fortune
The hero undergoes a reversal of fortune. Their status at the end of the tragedy is completely diminished.

19. Catastrophe
There is often a final scene of suffering, such as death on stage, bodily injury, or wounds.

20. The hero’s misfortune is not entirely deserved
The hero’s misfortune is not entirely deserved. Their punishment is usually greater than their crime.