Introduction to Greek Drama Introduction to Greek Drama

Theater Theater was a means for Entertainment for people Entertainment for people Competition for writers Competition for writers Religion—honored gods Religion—honored gods Civic loyalty Civic loyalty Honor to local heroes Honor to local heroes Social events Social events To air important philosophical issues To air important philosophical issues

Origins of Theater Song and dance was used to honor gods and celebrate special occasions Song and dance was used to honor gods and celebrate special occasions Dionysus: the god of wine; changing of seasons Dionysus: the god of wine; changing of seasons City of Dionysia: religious festival held in spring City of Dionysia: religious festival held in spring Dithyramb: developed from circle dances; hymn sung to honor the god Dithyramb: developed from circle dances; hymn sung to honor the god Performed by a masked chorus of about 50 men Performed by a masked chorus of about 50 men Festivals had drama competitions; 10 judges Festivals had drama competitions; 10 judges

Major Playwrights Thespis = “Father of Drama” Thespis = “Father of Drama” Added a character separate from the chorus Aeschylus Aeschylus Added second actor Sophocles Sophocles Added third actor Fixed number in chorus to 15 Introduced painted scenery Most successful in drama competitions (won 24 of 30) Euripides Euripides Reduced participation of chorus in main action Relied heavily on prologues Aristophanes Only comedic playwright Sophocles

Physical Structure of Theater Theaters were not buildings; usually hillsides with wooden (later stone) benches added Theaters were not buildings; usually hillsides with wooden (later stone) benches added Open air Open air

Parts of the Theater Theatron Theatron “seeing place” (where audience sat) “seeing place” (where audience sat) Benches first wooden, later stone Benches first wooden, later stone Orchestra Orchestra 65 feet in diameter 65 feet in diameter Circular dancing place Circular dancing place Chorus and actors performed here Chorus and actors performed here Skene Skene Building made of wood (later stone) with several doors that opened to the audience Building made of wood (later stone) with several doors that opened to the audience Used as dressing room, prop storage Used as dressing room, prop storage Backdrop to action; built-in scenery (palace, temple, etc), used for entrances/exits of characters Backdrop to action; built-in scenery (palace, temple, etc), used for entrances/exits of characters

Actors and Acting Actor and playwright were usually the same (took leading role) Actor and playwright were usually the same (took leading role) Never more than 3 actors (each changed characters as needed) Never more than 3 actors (each changed characters as needed) All male performers (no women; men played female roles) All male performers (no women; men played female roles) Because theaters were so large, actors had to exaggerate movements to be seen Because theaters were so large, actors had to exaggerate movements to be seen

Costumes and Masks Costumes Costumes Tragic actors wore colorful robes Tragic actors wore colorful robes Chorus wore conventional costumes (soldiers, priests, mourners, even frogs, birds, or wasps—in comedies) Chorus wore conventional costumes (soldiers, priests, mourners, even frogs, birds, or wasps—in comedies) Masks Masks All participants except the musician wore them. All participants except the musician wore them. Began as realistic human faces Began as realistic human faces Became less realistic (exaggeration) Became less realistic (exaggeration) Made of wool, linen, cork, wood; none have survived Made of wool, linen, cork, wood; none have survived Identified age, gender, and emotion Identified age, gender, and emotion Exaggerated features: large eyes, open mouth Exaggerated features: large eyes, open mouth

Mask of Dionysus Mask of warrior Mask of philosopher Mask of woman

The Chorus Chanted, danced, commented on action of play Chanted, danced, commented on action of play Accompanied by a single musician (played aulos: pipe) Accompanied by a single musician (played aulos: pipe) Sets overall mood and expresses theme Sets overall mood and expresses theme Adds beauty through song and dance Adds beauty through song and dance Gives background information Gives background information Divides action and offers reflections on events Divides action and offers reflections on events Choragos Choragos Leader of chorus Leader of chorus Sometimes involved in dialogue Sometimes involved in dialogue Questions, advises, expresses opinions Questions, advises, expresses opinions Usually represents typical viewer’s reaction to the events of the play Usually represents typical viewer’s reaction to the events of the play

Dramatic Conventions Messenger Messenger Tells of news happening away from scene Tells of news happening away from scene Violence did not occur onstage; messenger would describe in gory detail Violence did not occur onstage; messenger would describe in gory detail Limitations Limitations Continuous presence of chorus “on stage” Continuous presence of chorus “on stage” No intermission No intermission No artificial lighting No artificial lighting No curtains No curtains Few props (usually for character identification: swords, sticks, etc) Few props (usually for character identification: swords, sticks, etc)

Tragedy The fall of a great man or woman. The fall of a great man or woman. Tragic hero: main character whose downfall is the result of a tragic flaw Tragic hero: main character whose downfall is the result of a tragic flaw Purpose: to inspire the audiences to examine their own lives, define their beliefs, and to cleanse their emotions of pity and terror through compassion for the character. Purpose: to inspire the audiences to examine their own lives, define their beliefs, and to cleanse their emotions of pity and terror through compassion for the character. Fifth century B.C. known as the Golden Age of Greek Drama. Fifth century B.C. known as the Golden Age of Greek Drama.