“DRAMA” Types of Drama Tragedy: [solemn, personal, religious & Social Issues] Tragic Flaw & Catharsis

Types of Drama –Tragedy: [solemn, personal, religious & social issues – often ends in death] Tragic Flaw [our hero often suffers from great pride (hubris) and this leads to a grave mistake leading to tragedy] Catharsis [Pity & Fear: The audience pities the actors suffering on stage and fears they too might make a mistake and suffer a similar fate] –Comedy: [humorous/solving – often ends in a marriage] Farce = Physical [think three stooges] Satire = Morals/ Manners [makes fun of society and its ways]

Analyzing Drama: Setting Scenery- (location, time period, social class) Lighting-(time, season, mood, action, char-acter) Costumes- (age,class,profession,ethnicity) Props-(have significance) –In Agamemnon, remember we are in Ancient Greece and A is shown as king and Clytaemnestra is queen [thus they wear fancy robes and have beautiful masks].

Dramatic Structure Exposition ( who, what, where, when) –Introduces our main characters, where and when they are, and what is happening. Conflict (Problem of main character) –In Agamemnon, Agamemnon returns from Troy but both Clytaemnestra and Aegisthus want revenge on him. Climax (Pivotal point in action) –In Agamemnon, this is where Cassandra tells of Agamemnon’s death happening off stage. Resolution ( How does it all work out?) –In Agamemnon, at the end, Clytaemnestra and Aegisthus succeed but the son of Agamemnon, Orestes, vows revenge on them for his father’s death. Thus the circle of revenge will continue. Expo Conflict Climax Resolution

Characterization Types of Characters –Protagonist vs. Antagonist –Confidant (friend or servant) –Stock characters: comic, victim, braggart, pretender, fool We learn about characters –Externally through names, appearance, physique, speech, accent, dress, status, class, education, friends, family, interests. –Internally through thoughts, feelings, emotions.

Dramatic Irony, Theme and Overall Message Dramatic Irony : Contrast between what the characters know and what the audience knows. –In Agamemnon, the audience and chorus knows Clytaemnestra is up to no good, but Agamemnon does not. Theme(s): Repeated ideas or messages throughout the play. –In Agamemnon, the greatest theme is revenge. Overall Message : What the playwright wants the audience to think about the theme(s). –In Agamemnon, the playwright wants the audience to realize that the cycle of revenge must stop.

Greek Theater Shape enhances sound

Orchestra Literally means “dancing space” Circular and level space made of hard earth, later periods paved with marble Chorus would dance, sing, and interact with the actors who were on the stage near the skene In the center there was often a thymele or altar The orchestra of the theater of Dionysus in Athens was about 60 feet in diameter

Theatron literally means "viewing-place" where spectators sat usually part of hillside often wrapped around the orchestra spectators probably sat on cushions or boards by the fourth century the theatron of many Greek theaters had marble seats Far enough away hard to see actors faces – thus masks and rich costumes Actors needed loud voices and move with harmony

Skene Literally means ‘tent’ Included stage and the building directly behind the stage Stage of the theater of Dionysus was probably raised only two or three steps above the level of the orchestra[ approx. 25 ft wide / 10 ft deep] The skene was directly in back of the stage - usually decorated as a palace, temple, or other building, depending on the needs of the play – no extravagant sets Included at least one set of doors, and actors could make entrances and exits through them Access to the roof of the skene from behind, so that actors playing gods and other characters (such as the Watchman at the beginning of Aeschylus' Agamemnon) could appear on the roof

Parados The Parodoi means literally ‘passageways’ Paths the chorus and some actors used for entrances and exits The audience also used them to enter and exit the theater