Greek Drama Background Notes

What is Greek Drama? Flourished between 550 – 220 BCE Flourished between 550 – 220 BCE Originated as part of rituals honoring Dionysus, god of wine and fertility. Originated as part of rituals honoring Dionysus, god of wine and fertility. Thespis (thespians) transformed hymns sung to gods into songs telling the stories of famous heroes. Thespis (thespians) transformed hymns sung to gods into songs telling the stories of famous heroes.

Why do we care? Source of Western Theater Source of Western Theater Maintains a strong influence on performance art through history (plays, films, etc.) Maintains a strong influence on performance art through history (plays, films, etc.) Maintains a sustained impact on western culture as a whole Maintains a sustained impact on western culture as a whole

3 Types of Greek Drama Tragedy: centered on the suffering of a major character, ends in disaster. Tragedy: centered on the suffering of a major character, ends in disaster. Comedy: revolves around mistakes or blunders, yet all is resolved in the end Comedy: revolves around mistakes or blunders, yet all is resolved in the end Satyr Play (named for wood demons): comic and unruly treatments of tragic themes Satyr Play (named for wood demons): comic and unruly treatments of tragic themes

Tragedy According to Aristotle: the function of a tragedy is to arouse feelings of pity and fear in the audience, so that we may be cleansed of these feelings According to Aristotle: the function of a tragedy is to arouse feelings of pity and fear in the audience, so that we may be cleansed of these feelings This concept is known as Catharsis – emotional release or purging of emotions This concept is known as Catharsis – emotional release or purging of emotions

Greek Tragedy Involves the downfall of a hero (tragic hero), usually ending with his or her destruction or death. Involves the downfall of a hero (tragic hero), usually ending with his or her destruction or death.

Tragic Hero Tragic hero – experiences a reversal of fortune/downfall Tragic hero – experiences a reversal of fortune/downfall This character is not all good or bad, but must be capable of great suffering This character is not all good or bad, but must be capable of great suffering Downfall is brought about by actions known as hamartia – the result of some sort of error or frailty – known as the tragic flaw. Downfall is brought about by actions known as hamartia – the result of some sort of error or frailty – known as the tragic flaw. The point at which the tragic hero fully understands that his/her downfall is due to his/her actions is called anagnorisis. The point at which the tragic hero fully understands that his/her downfall is due to his/her actions is called anagnorisis.

Tragic Hero (cont) Often a tragic flaw is hubris – excessive pride or arrogance Often a tragic flaw is hubris – excessive pride or arrogance Tragedy concludes with recognition and reversal of fortune– the tragic hero understands they are at difference with the world as they understood it. Tragedy concludes with recognition and reversal of fortune– the tragic hero understands they are at difference with the world as they understood it.

The Theater Shaped like a semi-circle stadium, the viewing area for spectators was called the theatron. Shaped like a semi-circle stadium, the viewing area for spectators was called the theatron. The circular dance place/stage where the actors and chorus performed was called the orchestra. The circular dance place/stage where the actors and chorus performed was called the orchestra. In the center of the orchestra was a small altar to Dionysus, called the thymele. In the center of the orchestra was a small altar to Dionysus, called the thymele.

The Theater All actors men, chorus was well trained boys All actors men, chorus was well trained boys Actors amplified their voices through special mouthpieces worn in their masks Actors amplified their voices through special mouthpieces worn in their masks By switching masks, each actor could play multiple roles By switching masks, each actor could play multiple roles Behind the theater was a changing hut (dressing room) where masks were changed. This was called the skene. Behind the theater was a changing hut (dressing room) where masks were changed. This was called the skene.

The chorus was a group of actors who moved together and sang in unison and acted as one character. The chorus was a group of actors who moved together and sang in unison and acted as one character.

Sophocles Considered to be the greatest of the ancient Greek playwrights Considered to be the greatest of the ancient Greek playwrights His plays always contain a moral lesson – typically a caution against pride and religious indifference His plays always contain a moral lesson – typically a caution against pride and religious indifference

Sophocles’s Innovations Added a third actor to the original two Added a third actor to the original two Introduced painted sets Introduced painted sets Expanded the size of the chorus to fifteen Expanded the size of the chorus to fifteen

The “Theban” Plays Sophocles wrote three plays telling us the story of Oedipus of Thebes and his family. Sophocles wrote three plays telling us the story of Oedipus of Thebes and his family. –Oedipus Rex –Oedipus at Colonus –Antigone

Antigone Background Audience already knew the story – suspense came from the dramatic irony Audience already knew the story – suspense came from the dramatic irony The audience pitied these characters The audience pitied these characters Refer to SpringBoard Pg. 281 for other answers about Antigone & the Oedipus Myth.

Oedipus Myth See p. 281 in Springboard for these notes! See p. 281 in Springboard for these notes!

Themes of Antigone THEME = Topic + what the author believes about the topic (message). The individual conscience is at odds with established authority – this is universal. The individual conscience is at odds with established authority – this is universal. Choices have consequences. Choices have consequences. Treachery vs. Loyalty – where do your loyalties lie? (see next slide) Treachery vs. Loyalty – where do your loyalties lie? (see next slide)

Themes of Antigone Central conflicts often illuminate themes. Central conflicts often illuminate themes. –Antigone vs. Ismene –Eteocles vs. Polyneices –Antigone/Ismene vs. Creon –Family loyalty vs. civic duty

Greek Theater Format Begins with a prologue – exposition that presents the background, situates the conflict Begins with a prologue – exposition that presents the background, situates the conflict Chorus – comments on and explains the action of the play (serves as the collective voice of humanity) Chorus – comments on and explains the action of the play (serves as the collective voice of humanity) Opening chorus sings a parados – opening song Opening chorus sings a parados – opening song

Greek Theater Format (cont) Ode – chorus’s song that divides scenes, and serves the same purpose as a curtain Ode – chorus’s song that divides scenes, and serves the same purpose as a curtain During the odes, the chorus leader (choragos) might exchange thoughts with the group in a dialogue During the odes, the chorus leader (choragos) might exchange thoughts with the group in a dialogue During that recital, the group would rotate from right to left, singing the strophe (twist, turn) During that recital, the group would rotate from right to left, singing the strophe (twist, turn)

Greek Theater Format (cont) During the antistrophe (turning back), the chorus would go from left to right During the antistrophe (turning back), the chorus would go from left to right Violent action would never occur on stage, but would be reported by a messenger. Violent action would never occur on stage, but would be reported by a messenger. Play would conclude with a paean (thanks to Dionysus) and an exodus (final exiting scene) Play would conclude with a paean (thanks to Dionysus) and an exodus (final exiting scene)