1. Greek Tragedy: Medea
Theatre Components
Actors
Chorus

2. Origins of Greek Theatre
Plays were held at amphitheater for the Feast of Dionysius
Tragedy means “goat lamentaion”—dionysis was a satyr
God of wine and ecstasy

3. Greek Theatre Theater used a chorus
Theater itself began as chorus—singers—and then one person stepped out and sang soloprotagonist. (Remaining chorus was antagonist
Chorus reflects what the audience is thinking
Provides background and spectacle
Characters wore a mask—called a “persona”
Faces reflected a variety of characters and their emotions
Masks contained “megaphone” to amplify their voices

4. Greek Theatre: Main components
Theatron: literally, the “watching place”
Orchestra: literally, the “dancing place”
Skene: “scene,” or backdrop; scenery

5. Theatron
Daylight
Sound effects

6. Orchestra
Challenges:
Size
Distance from audience
Holding interest

7. Skene Behind orchestra Served as backdrop, house
Decorative in later years

8. Theatre Components

9. Actors 3 Actors, all men Various roles Wore masks
Elaborate gestures, “over-acting”

10. Chorus 12-15 men Singing Dancing
Strophe: means a turn, as from one foot to another, or from one side of a chorus to the other.
Antistrophe:portion of an ode sung by the chorus in its returning movement from west to east, in response to the strophe, which was sung from east to west.

11. Corinth: Agora

12. Corinth
Sanctuary to Artemis

13. Oracle at Delphi

14. Image and Textual References
Ancient Greek Theater. Retrieved July 20, 2007, Web site:
Damen, (2006). Classical Drama and Theatre. Retrieved July 20, 2007, Web site:
Greek Drama. Retrieved July 20, 2007, Web site:
Hellenic World Staff (2007). The Greek Sphinx. Retrieved July 20, 2007, from The Hellenic World Web site:
Retrieved July 20, 2007, Web site:
Startz, A. (2006). Retrieved July 20, 2007, Web site:
The Classical Greek Chorus. Retrieved July 20, 2007, Web site: www2.selu.edu/.../classes/engl230/Chorus.jpg