2.  Originated in religious festivals in honor of Dionysus – god of wine & fertility  Festival would last 5 days in March or April  50 men would sing and dance; sacrifice goat: tragedy means goat – song  Athenian Thespis  Introduced actor who dialogues with Chorus  Invented drama

3.  Second actor  Dialogue became more important; Chorus less  Wrote plays in trilogies focused on a theme

4.  Most tragic writer  Reduced role of Chorus  Humanized characters to make plays more realistic

5.  7 of 120 plays survived  3 rd actor  Fixed Chorus at 15 men  Oedipus Rex, Electra, Ajax  ANTIGONE!  Made each play in trilogy separate in nature

7.  Theatron – seeing play where audience sat  Orchestra – circular dancing place where actors and Chorus performed  Thymele – altar to Dionysus in center of orchestra  Skene – building used as a dressing room  Proskenion – Façade of skene building which served as backdrop  Parodos – entrance to theatre used by Chorus

8.  Hypocrites – the answerer – playing roles  All male performers  Costumes  Long robes; symbolically colored  Larger than life masks – made of linen, wood, cork  Identified gender, age and emotion  Exaggerated features: large eyes, open mouth

10.  Prologue: Opening scene of exposition  Parados: Entrance ode by Chorus  Episode: Dramatic scene  Stasimon: Choral ode  5 episodes followed by odes  Exodus: Exit scene  Things to think about while reading play: How do all of these components work together?

11.  Leader: Choragos  Music and Dance  Musical accompaniment for choral odes – flute, lyre, percussion  Function  Sets overall mood; expresses theme  Gives background information  Divides action and offers reflections on events  Questions, advises, expresses opinion, usually through Chorus leader

12.  Unities:  Action – simple plot  Time – within 24 hours  Place – one scene throughout  Messenger  Tells news happening away from scene  Reports acts of violence not allowed to be seen

14.  Based on well-known myths  High-status person experiences reversal of fortune by tragic hero  Fate ensures his or her actions will bring doom  Audience members experience Catharsis  Emotional relief that an audience is supposed to experience at end of play

15.  Often warns against excess  PRIDE  PASSION  Concerns limitations of:  Human knowledge  Sympathy  Foresight  Every decision has consequences

16.  High status in society; innately noble or virtuous  Tragic flaw triggers downfall  HARMARTIA: Tragic flaw  HUBRIS: Arrogance  Misfortune overboard  Increase in awareness; tragic hero learns lesson

17.  Family members should always support each other.  Following an order is sometimes more important than being true to a personal belief.  Strong leaders should not show compassion.  Courage is often foolhardy (foolish).