Greek Theatre By: Miranda Allen, Darren Chew,& Jazmine Martinez Period: two Theater Arts Ms.Chavez Date: january-18-2017

Greek Theater creation -Greek Theater originates from ancient Greece between 5505 BC-2202 BC. -Created in a famous Festival called Dionysus it was taking place in the city of Athens to a honour the greek god Dionysus. - It was know that the drama always involved only chorus, until one man left the chorus, jumped onto the altar and claimed he was “Playing the ROLE of GOD” (but he wasn’t.) -Greek theatre was performed during celebrations to honor the gods, mainly the god ‘Dionysus’ (during tragedy plays) -Usually a goat was sacrificed for Dionysus before performing, and goatskin clothing was often worn by the actor(s)

The Greek Theatre Era of Tragedy -During The era of greek theatre, Tragedy was a popular genre of theatre around the 6th century (BCE). -In the earlier forms of Greek tragedy, there would only be one actor (a male actor) who played all the parts. This symbolized the impersonation of god. However there were chorus members who sang in the background (but did not speak as a character or have a role in the play) - The chorus was added in tragedies to sing to Dionysus as a way of honoring him -some of the famous tragedians were Aeschylus, Euripides, and Sophocles. Background picture; greek tragedy masks and Greek tragedy, Greek chorus and Theatres

Sophocles Sophocles was all of the following: A famous tragedian who created many plays Competed against other tragedians Is said greater than Aeschylus (a tragedian) Is also greater than Euripides (another tragedian) Examples of his work: Oedipus the King Antigone Electra

Electra - Electra was one of Sophocles’ Most famous plays, and when it was written is not really known; Historians believe that it was written around 400- 410 BCE, because of its similar style to some of his other plays Philoctetes (409 BCE) AND Oedipus at Colonus (401 BCE) (near the end of sophocles career). -When King Agamemnon returns from the Trojan War with his new mistress (A woman lower than a man’s wife) named, Cassandra, his wife is Clytemnestra (who then takes Agamemnon's cousin Aegisthus as a husband) kills them. Clytemnestra’s reason for the murder, was because Agamemnon had sacrificed their daughter (Iphigenia) before the war (as commanded by the gods). Electra, ( other daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra) rescued her younger brother Orestes from her mother by sending him to Strophius of Phocis (King of Phocis. Husband of Anabixia) The play begins years later when Orestes has returned as a grown man with a plot for revenge, as well as to claim the throne. Statue of Orestes

A story of murder -Electra and her mother, Queen Clytemnestra. Electra calls her a “murdering sinner”, but the Queen has her own side of the story. Agamemnon sacrificed their daughter Iphigenia in order to get his ships home from the Trojan War. The fact that Agamemnon sacrificed Iphigenia angered Clytemnestra. She believes, her husband deserved to die. Electra, however, finds that to be a ridiculous ‘excuse’. A slave shows up with (fake) News that Orestes is dead (to put an end to the argument before it gets out of hand). Electra is in tears, but the Queen is relieved. Queen Clytemnestra no longer has to worry about her son coming back to kill her. She takes the slave inside to celebrate. -Electra grieves over his death, now that she can't rely on her brother, she has to kill her mother herself. Before she starts sharpening her sword when, Orestes shows up (all grown up) with his friend, Pylades; who are supposed t be two men delivering the ashes of Orestes in an urn. When he realizes that this is his sister sobbing, he reveals his true identity. Electra Embraces her brother and is overjoyed that he is alive. The two of them quickly agree to avenge their father together. Their plan is for Orestes to go inside and stab Clytemnestra, while Electra stands outside and encourages him. (We know from when Clytemnestra screams that the she has died) As Aegisthus returns home, they quickly put her body under a sheet and say it is the body of Orestes. He lifts the veil to discover who it really is, and Orestes then reveals himself. They escort Aegisthus off set to be killed at the hearth, the same location Agamemnon was slain. The play ends here, before the death of Aegisthus is announced.

Comparing Sophocles Plays -Many of sophocles’ plays involved some kind of murder and betrayal, which was common in the plot of a greek tragedy. (with literal and figurative backstabbing) King Laius and Jocasta hear of a prophecy where their son Oedipus murders his dad and marries his mom. The king tries to murder him. Being raised by king Polybus, Oedipus hears the prophecy. Thinking he was raised by his own dad, he leaves for their protection. He murders a man who is his actual dad. Solving Sphinx's riddle , Oedipus marries his own mom whom he knows not. After realising this, the mom hangs herself and Oedipus blinds himself.