1. Greek Tragedies

2. The Setting Theater of Dionysus in Athens
Holds between 14,000 – 18,000 spectators
Some spectators were 75 yards away from the stage
All plays done during the day
No stage lighting – very bare sets – very limited props
Theater of Dionysus in Athens

3. Layout of the Greek theater
Orchestra
Theatron
“dancing place”
Simple circular place where chorus sang and danced
“watching place”
A hillside where
audience could watch
Later was marble
or wooden planks
Parados
Skene
“passageways”
Entrance and exit for audience
Paths used by chorus and some actors
“Tent”
Backstage in essence… usually looked like a building

4. The Actors Chorus Costumes Archetypes
Chorus – anywhere from people act as the chorus
Costumes were simple compared to today’s standards – elaborately decorated robes, slippers, masks (don’t confuse with immense Roman masks)
Masks – allowed actors to assume multiple roles – also projected voices
Characters were UNIVERSAL REPRESENTATIONS – not individuals

5. Language
Example:
“My children, scions of the ancient Cadmean line, what is the meaning of this thronging round my feet, this holding out of olive boughs all wreathed in woe?”
Lofty language, Artificial, Poetic
No difference between language used by kings, slaves, foreigners.
Composed in verse – mixes spoken language, chanted lines, lines that are sung.

6. Format of a Greek play Scenes of dialogue 15 man chorus
This arrangement allows the chorus to comment in its song on what has been said and/or done in the preceding scene.

7. Sophocles (496?-406 B.C.) Born to wealthy factory owner
Was a general, a politician, but also excelled at music and writing
Wrote over 120 tragedies, but only 7 survive
Lived until he was 90
Most famous plays were the Oedipus plays.
Was the first to use three actors on the stage.

8. Important Terms Tragic Hero The chorus Dramatic Irony
Choragos
Strophe
Antistrophe
Dramatic Irony
“Deus Ex Machina”
Tragic hero
The chorus
choragos – leader of the chorus
strophe – verse (chorus move from right to left while singing)
antistrophe – verse answering the strophe (chorus reverses swinging motion)

9. Theatrical Machines Deus Ex Machina: “God from the Machine”
This term now is applied to any unbelievable, improbable, “miracle” ending.

10. Elements of Tragedy Follows the classic plot structure Pity & Fear
Catharsis: Feeling of relief and exaltation
Hubris: Hero’s Tragic Flaw
Reversal of Protagonist’s Fortune
Recognition of fall and acceptance of responsibility
The public suffering of the Protagonist

11. Elements of Tragedy
Through action man reveals his possibilities for good and bad.
Ultimate risk reveals truth in his actions.
Action represents choice (freedom).
Choices lead to suffering.
Choices are not clearly good or evil; this presents a dilemma.