1. Greek Tragedy

2. Structure of a Greek Tragedy
Prologue- spoken by one or two characters before the chorus appears; usually gives the background information needed to understand the events of the play
Parodos- the song sung by the chorus as it makes its entrance
Episodes/scenes- the main action of the play

3. Structure cont.
Odes- songs (and often a dance) that reflects on the events of the episodes and weaves the plot into a cohesive whole
Choragos- the leader of the chorus who often interacts with the characters in the scenes
Chorus- the singers/dancers who remark on the action
Supernumeraries- extras with no speaking parts

4. Odes cont.
Strophe- the movement of the chorus from right to left across the stage
Antistrophe- the reaction to the strophe, which moves across the stage from left to right

5. Structure cont.
Paean- a prayer of thanksgiving to Dionysus in whose honor the Greek plays were performed
Exodus- sung by the chorus as it makes its final exit, which usually offers words of wisdom related to the actions and outcomes of the play
Epilogos- (epilogue) within the exodus and usually directed to the audience at the end with a lesson or message

6. Origins of Drama Drama originated from religious ceremonies:
main feature of the religious festivals given in honor of Dionysus
Contests were held and the greatest poet-dramatists submitted plays for performance

7. Origins of Drama
After work, people of Greece sang and danced in a circle to worship their gods.
These circle dances became the dithyramb, a religious ritual performed by a chorus of men wearing masks.
Special arenas were built at the base of the hills for the dithyramb.

8. Greek Theatre
Dionysus- the Greek god of wine and fertility and rebirth; theatrical performances were originally religious ceremonies in honor of Dionysus.
The Dionysia- the name of the annual festival held in honor of Dionysus

9. Key Figures in Greek Theatre
Thespis- credited as the “father of drama” and first prize winner at the Great Dionysia in 534 B.C.
He introduced the concept of the independent actor (thus why actors are called “thespians”) as opposed to the choir
Introduced the use of masks, make up and costumes so the actor could play several roles

10. Three Great Greek Tragedians
Aeschylus ( B.C.)- credited as the man who first increased the number of the actors from one to two and with reducing the role of the chorus, putting emphasis on dialogue
Euripides ( B.C.)- was less formal and wrote about the underdog; reduced participation of chorus in main action; relied heavily on prologues; Medea is his most famous play

11. Sophocles ( B.C.)
Born into a wealthy family at Colonus (outside of Athens)
Had an auspicious education
Incredibly popular and eminent in his time and was often elected for positions he didn’t necessarily want
Prolific writer of over 120 plays but only 7 remain

12. Sophocles cont. Won first prize at the Great Dionysia 18 times
Added a third actor in the late 5th century
Fixed number of chorus members to fifteen
Introduced painted scenery
Evidently pretty darn good looking too!

14. Sophocles’ Plays Ajax 445 B.C. Antigone 440 B.C. Electra 440 B.C.
Oedipus Rex B.C. 430 B.C.
The Trachiniae 413 B.C.
Philoctetes 410 B.C.
Oedipus at Colonus 401 B.C.

15. Greek Theatre Terms
Satyr- commonly confused with “satire”; had to be mastered by tragedians and was comprised of the following elements:
Chorus- half-man, half- beast- satyrs, companions of Dionysus
Burlesque of mythology ridiculing gods or heroes
Everyday and colloquial language
Short after-pieces to tragedies

16. Structure of Greek Theater

17. Structure of Greek Theater
theatron – where the audience sat
orchestra – circular dancing place where actors and chorus performed
thymele – altar to Dionysus in center of orchestra
skene – building used as a dressing room
proskenion – façade of skene building which served as backdrop
parados – entrance to the theater used by the chorus

18. Ancient Theatre at Mt. Etna

19. Actors and Acting Hypocrites – the answerer
1st “dramas” (Thespis) – actor and playwright were originally the same
playwright took leading role
never had more than three actors playing all roles
all male performers

20. Actors and Acting Costumes and Masks:
long, flowing robes – colored symbolically
high boots, often with raised soles (heroic parts)
larger-than-life masks made of linen, wood, and cork
Identified age, gender, emotion
Exaggerated features – large eyes, open mouth

22. Elements of Greek Tragedy
Tragedy – play in which main character, tragic hero, suffers a downfall.
Tragic hero – character whose downfall is brought about by a flaw within his/her own character.
neither totally good nor totally evil
usually of high birth (not a commoner)
Arete- inborn capacities

23. Elements of Greek Tragedy
peripetia – reversal of fortune
nemesis – fate that cannot be escaped; in Greek mythology, Nemesis is the goddess of retributive justice of vengeance
catharsis – purgation of emotions of pity and fear which leaves the viewer both relieved and elated (part of recognition)

24. Elements of Greek Tragedy
Reversal-when a character produces an unintended effect and things go from bad to worse
Catastrophe- the final resolution in the plot where the protagonist undergoes a change of fortune
Recognition- a discovery on the part of the protagonist; a change from ignorance to knowledge (catharsis)

25. Aristotle’s Poetics and the Six Elements of Tragedy
Plot- how the action is arranged
Tragedy- a play with a serious theme that usually ends unhappily for the main character set in motion by some tragic flaw in his/her personality (hamartia); intended to arouse emotions of pity and fear; violence often described but not enacted on stage
Hubris- arrogance demonstrated by a character as a result of his/her pride or passion

26. Elements of Plot cont.
C. Foreshadowing- clues as the what will probably happen later in the play
D. Climax- the highest point of emotional tension or the turning point of the plot
E. Catharsis- the purification of a character’s emotions and/or the relief of emotional tension
F. Denouement- the resolution of the main conflict (not usually a happy outcome for the main character)

27. Six Elements of Tragedy cont.
II. Characters- the people in the play
III. Theme- the main idea or message as the central focus
IV. Language/Diction- the words spoken or sung by the characters
V. Music- the odes sung by the chorus and choragus (in Greek Tragedy)
VI. Spectacle- the scenes, props, costumes, masks…all things visual

28. Freytag’s Pyramid (Dramatic Structure)

29. The Oedipal Trilogy Oedipus Rex –
The story of Oedipus’ birth, his upbringing, his marriage (to his mother, unbeknownst to either bride or groom), their 4 children, and how they learn of and deal with their incest.

30. The Oedipal Trilogy Oedipus at Colunus
The continuation of Oedipus’ life once he goes into his self-imposed exile, with his dutiful daughter, Antigone, at his side.
His two sons battle each other for control of Thebes.

31. The Oedipal Trilogy Antigone
The final piece (but the first play actually written) of the story of the line of Oedipus. This tells of the aftermath of the battle between the brothers, Seven Against Thebes, and how the remaining family members proceed.

32. The Riddle of the Sphinx
In Greek mythology, the Sphinx sat outside of Thebes and asked this riddle of all travelers who passed by. If the traveler failed to solve the riddle, then the Sphinx killed him/her. And if the traveler answered the riddle correctly, then the Sphinx would destroy herself.
The riddle: What goes on four legs in the morning, on two legs at noon, and on three legs in the evening?
Oedipus solved the riddle, and the Sphinx destroyed herself.
The solution: A man, who crawls on all fours as a baby, walks on two legs as an adult, and walks with a cane in old age.
Of course morning, noon, and night are metaphors for the times in a man's (person's) life. Such metaphors are common in riddles. There were two Thebes, apparently this Thebes was the one in Greece. And this Sphinx was apparently not the one at Giza, in Egypt.

33. Oedipus and the Sphinx