1. Classical Greece
Drama/Theatre

2. Theatre Greek theatre grew out of Religious ceremonies
Started as stories about gods, grew into stories about everyday people
First plays were performed in open-air theatres as part of festivals in honor of Dionysus

3. Great Dionysia Festival
Festival established in 534 B.C., its main event was a three day tragedy competition.
Great Greek playwrights such as Aeschyleus, Sophocles, and Euripides

4. Thespis
Changed Greek theatre, Greek choruses had originally chanted hymns in unison in praise of Dionysus
Thespis a choral leader, stepped out from the chorus and spoke to them.
He is credited with becoming the first actor.
Thespian- actor, performer
Later a second actor on stage emerged and created dialogue between characters.

5. Greek Tragedy Aristotle described the structure of Greek Tragedy
Tragedy is an imitation of serious actions
It arouses feelings of fear and pity in the observer

6. Elements of Tragedy A tragic flaw, often Hubris, or excessive pride
Flawed judgment sets in motion events leading to misery

7. Aeschylus Author of the oldest surviving play, the Oresteia
He added a second actor for the first time
His themes include moral, religious, and political issues

8. Sophocles Wrote more than 125 plays
Antigone,Oedipus Tyrannos, and Electra
He added a third actor
He gave dialogue full development
Credited with introduction of painted scenery
Reduced the role of the chorus

9. Euripides
Unpopular in Athens, wrote most of his plays alone on an island in a cave
Wrote Medea, Electra, and the Bacchae
Put multidimensional antiheroes in central roles
Plays are driven by character not plot
Action and emotions in his plays are more realistic