1. Greek Theater
Background

2. History Classical drama arose in Athens, Greece
Part of religious celebrations to honor Dionysus (god of wine & fertility)
Drama evolved from classic drama around 6th century BC

3. The Theater Attended by thousands
Outdoor style with seats built into hillside
Stage (raised platform) at bottom of hill
Skene – backdrop & dressing room
Orchestra – circular floor between skene and audience

4. Actors All men Sophocles (wrote Antigone) used 3 actors for the play
Wore elegant robes
Huge masks
Elevated shoes
Sophocles (wrote Antigone) used 3 actors for the play
Changed masks & robes to change characters

5. Chorus A group of 15 Commented on action of play
Choragus (leader) participates in dialogue with characters
Between scenes sang songs that gave insight into the message of the play

6. Tragedy
A drama that recounts the downfall of a dignified, superior character who is involved in historically or socially significant events

7. Tragic Hero Protagonist
In conflict with an opposing force, the antagonist

8. Tragic Flaw Possessed by the tragic hero
Brings about or contributes to his/her downfall

9. Tragic Flaw, cont… Flaw may be
Poor judgment
Pride
Weakness
Excess of admirable quality
Tragic hero recognizes his/her flaw and its consequences but only after it is too late to change the course of events

10. Action of the Tragedy Builds from one event to the next
Finally a catastrophe that leads to the final disastrous conclusion
Twists of fate play a key role in the hero’s destruction

11. THREE UNITIES Unity of action – tightly linked cause and effect.
Unity of time – occurs in a twenty-four hour period.
Unity of place – occurs in one place.

12. Literary Terms

13. FOIL – character who provides contrast to another…Ismene and Antigone
MOTIF- repeated idea or event…Creon’s accusations of conspiracy.
PARADOX – statement that seems contradictory but actually presents a truth. Creon’s statement…”A fortune won is often misfortune.” The blind Teresias sees all.
ALLUSION- reference to a well-known work, person, event. The chorus mentions suffering of individuals from Greek myths.

14. What do you know???
The plots in Greek drama were based on _______, so the audience knew the story beforehand. Knowing what happens before the characters do is called _________ _________.

15. Greek drama was a _____ ceremony. It was partially funded by the state
Greek drama was a _____ ceremony. It was partially funded by the state. The rituals from which drama is thought to originate were performed in honor of the god _____.

16. No ____ acted.
No ____ was shown on stage; instead, it was reported by messengers.
Performances occurred in _____light in open air theaters carved into _____.
The ____advised the characters, gave background information, and interpreted events.

17. ______ is a type of drama in which the ______ undergoes a morally significant struggle which ends disastrously.
The tragic hero has a ___ which contributes to his downfall.
The hero is not evil.
He is a person of ____ who undergoes a reversal of ____.
He accepts _____ for his actions.