Introduction to Greek Drama

Origin of Drama Drama was developed by the ancient Greeks during celebrations honoring Dionysus. Drama was developed by the ancient Greeks during celebrations honoring Dionysus. Dionysus is the god of the vine, which produces grapes for wine. Wine was associated with resurrection and suffering. Dionysus is the god of the vine, which produces grapes for wine. Wine was associated with resurrection and suffering. With the inclusion of many choral songs, the early Greek plays resembled what we call opera today. With the inclusion of many choral songs, the early Greek plays resembled what we call opera today.

Festival of Dionysus The Festival of Dionysus took place in Athens over five days in March or April. The Festival of Dionysus took place in Athens over five days in March or April. During the first day, their was a procession honoring Dionysus - all citizens participated. During the first day, their was a procession honoring Dionysus - all citizens participated. During the festival’s second day, the choral songs were performed. During the festival’s second day, the choral songs were performed. On the last three days of the festival, the actors performed three tragedies, one satyr (satire – mock heroic tragedies) play, and one comedy. On the last three days of the festival, the actors performed three tragedies, one satyr (satire – mock heroic tragedies) play, and one comedy.

Festival of Dionysus The choregus, a wealthy, prominent citizen of Athens, was required by law to pay for the cost of training and costumes for the chorus. The choregus, a wealthy, prominent citizen of Athens, was required by law to pay for the cost of training and costumes for the chorus. The playwright served as a sort of teacher, offering plays for the ethical and moral improvement of his fellow citizens to insure the spiritual survival of the community. The playwright served as a sort of teacher, offering plays for the ethical and moral improvement of his fellow citizens to insure the spiritual survival of the community.

The Greek Theatre Theatron = area of seats for the audience hollowed out from the hillside Theatron = area of seats for the audience hollowed out from the hillside Orchestra = large area in front of the stage where the chorus sang and danced Orchestra = large area in front of the stage where the chorus sang and danced Thymele = the altar centered in the orchestra used for sacrifices to Dionysus Thymele = the altar centered in the orchestra used for sacrifices to Dionysus Parados = walled walkway used by the chorus to enter and exit the stage Parados = walled walkway used by the chorus to enter and exit the stage Pro-scenium = a long, low stage behind the orchestra Pro-scenium = a long, low stage behind the orchestra Skene = building that contained the actors’ dressing rooms Skene = building that contained the actors’ dressing rooms

The Greek Theatre The Greek Theatre was similar to an outdoor stadium that could hold between 15,000 – 20,000 people.

Greek Theater

Greeks’ Special Effects There were no curtains, intermissions, lights, or microphones. There were no curtains, intermissions, lights, or microphones. Consequently, all scenes took place in daylight settings Consequently, all scenes took place in daylight settings All scene changes built into the actor’s dialogue All scene changes built into the actor’s dialogue The chorus and actors had to have strong voices The chorus and actors had to have strong voices

Greeks’ Special Effects

The Actors The Greek name for an actor was “hypocrite.” The Greek name for an actor was “hypocrite.” Only 3 actors, they wore masks to play multiple parts. Only 3 actors, they wore masks to play multiple parts. All actors were men, considered undignified for women to appear on stage All actors were men, considered undignified for women to appear on stage Actors wore padded costumes, wigs, and high-heeled boots to make them taller and give them added dignity and power. Actors wore padded costumes, wigs, and high-heeled boots to make them taller and give them added dignity and power. Actors had to be able to speak in poetic language and sing using a loud and clear voice. Actors had to be able to speak in poetic language and sing using a loud and clear voice. Acting was more Acting was more Expressive than realistic Expressive than realistic

The Chorus The chorus was led by a conductor and consisted of singers and dancers who moved and sang together, acting as one character. The chorus was led by a conductor and consisted of singers and dancers who moved and sang together, acting as one character. A Choral Ode was chanted or sung in unison. A Choral Ode was chanted or sung in unison. Originally, they Chorus started out with 50 people, but Sophocles fixed the number at 15. Originally, they Chorus started out with 50 people, but Sophocles fixed the number at 15.

The Chorus The playwright used the chorus and their songs to: The playwright used the chorus and their songs to: Add the beauty of song and dance. Add the beauty of song and dance. Set the mood or express the main themes of the play by commenting on the action. Set the mood or express the main themes of the play by commenting on the action. Create a bridge between the actors and the audience. Create a bridge between the actors and the audience. Converse with and give advice to the actors. Converse with and give advice to the actors. Tell about events that have already happened in the past. (narrator) Tell about events that have already happened in the past. (narrator) Foretell the future by interpreting the actions of the actors. Foretell the future by interpreting the actions of the actors.

The Stories Originally, the stories were hymns and prayers honoring the gods, especially Dionysus. Originally, the stories were hymns and prayers honoring the gods, especially Dionysus. Over time, the content of the stories changed to legends of Greek leaders and heroes. Over time, the content of the stories changed to legends of Greek leaders and heroes.

Tragedy In a tragedy, the plot revealed what happened to a person who went against the laws of the gods or who was too proud In a tragedy, the plot revealed what happened to a person who went against the laws of the gods or who was too proud This stems from the Greek belief that man was subject to the whims of the gods and fate. This stems from the Greek belief that man was subject to the whims of the gods and fate. The root of Greek tragedy is that man can not avoid suffering. The root of Greek tragedy is that man can not avoid suffering. In nearly all tragedies, man’s biggest fault is excessive pride – a mistaken belief that he could somehow avoid fate or the will of the gods. In nearly all tragedies, man’s biggest fault is excessive pride – a mistaken belief that he could somehow avoid fate or the will of the gods.

Greek Tragic Hero The Greek tragic hero had to be a man or woman capable of great suffering The Greek tragic hero had to be a man or woman capable of great suffering The tragic hero is brought to disaster by hamartia, or a single flaw in a person’s character. The tragic hero is brought to disaster by hamartia, or a single flaw in a person’s character.

Hubris Hubris is defined as excessive pride. Hubris is defined as excessive pride. Think of at least three modern examples of characters whose downfall is caused by their hubris. Think of at least three modern examples of characters whose downfall is caused by their hubris. Hubris leaves leads to suffering and then to an understanding (catharsis) of man’s place in the system of life. Hubris leaves leads to suffering and then to an understanding (catharsis) of man’s place in the system of life. Catharsis is an emotional release caused by an intense emotional experience. Catharsis is an emotional release caused by an intense emotional experience. The purpose of a Greek tragedy is to learn a lesson through the catastrophes that befall the characters on stage and to understand that their misfortunes are a result of not following the will of the Gods or trying to avoid their own destinies because of hubris. The purpose of a Greek tragedy is to learn a lesson through the catastrophes that befall the characters on stage and to understand that their misfortunes are a result of not following the will of the Gods or trying to avoid their own destinies because of hubris.

Structure of a Greek Tragedy 1. Prologue – the actors present the opening situation on stage 2. – the entering song and dance of the chorus 2. Parados – the entering song and dance of the chorus 3. Episodes – periods of more action by the actors 4. Stasima/Stasimon – choral ode or song commenting on the action 5. Exodus – the last action of the play

SOPHOCLES Sophocles was born in Colonus, Greece in 497 BCE Sophocles was born in Colonus, Greece in 497 BCE He died in 406 BCE at approximately 90 years of age. He died in 406 BCE at approximately 90 years of age. He Lived during the Golden Age ofl Greece He Lived during the Golden Age ofl Greece (The Golden Age of Greece was from approximately 800 BCE to 300 BCE) (The Golden Age of Greece was from approximately 800 BCE to 300 BCE) He was a successful musician, athlete, and respected playwright. He was a successful musician, athlete, and respected playwright. He was also active in social and political life. He was also active in social and political life. He held several priesthoods, was imperial treasurer in 443 BCE, and a general in 440 BCE He held several priesthoods, was imperial treasurer in 443 BCE, and a general in 440 BCE

Sophocles as a Playwright He wrote more than a hundred plays but only seven remain. He wrote more than a hundred plays but only seven remain. The most famous of his plays are: Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, Antigone, and Electra. The most famous of his plays are: Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, Antigone, and Electra.

Sophocles’ Impact on Drama Sophocles expanded the format of drama by adding a third actor. Sophocles expanded the format of drama by adding a third actor. He increased the amount of dialogue within a play. He increased the amount of dialogue within a play. He decreased the importance of the chorus by fixing its number at 15. He decreased the importance of the chorus by fixing its number at 15. He invented painted scenery and added flute music in the background of his plays. He invented painted scenery and added flute music in the background of his plays. He made each play of a trilogy stand by itself as a separate story. He made each play of a trilogy stand by itself as a separate story.

Actors No tragedy used more No tragedy used more than 3 actors than 3 actors Costumes included Costumes included character masks, and character masks, and in later years, raised boots in later years, raised boots

Tragic Structure PROLOGOS: Introductory scene PROLOGOS: Introductory scene PARADOS: Entry of chorus PARADOS: Entry of chorus EPISODEION – Scenes EPISODEION – Scenes Exodus - Final Scene Exodus - Final Scene Epode-Final Ode Epode-Final Ode