1. Introduction to Drama

2. The History of Drama The great tragedies of Aeschylus*, Sophocles*, and Euripides* were performed annually at the spring festival of Dionysus, god of wine, and inspiration. The great tragedies of Aeschylus*, Sophocles*, and Euripides* were performed annually at the spring festival of Dionysus, god of wine, and inspiration. Aeschylus* Sophocles* Euripides* Aeschylus* Sophocles* Euripides*

3. The History of Drama Tragedy (the Greek word "tragoidia" means goat-song) began with the introduction of an actor, who played various roles by changing masks, whose actions the chorus commented upon in song, and who exchanged dialogue with the leader of the chorus. Tragedy (the Greek word "tragoidia" means goat-song) began with the introduction of an actor, who played various roles by changing masks, whose actions the chorus commented upon in song, and who exchanged dialogue with the leader of the chorus.

4. Ancient Greek Theater Place. The setting of the play should be one location: Time. The action of the play should represent the passage of no more than one day. Previous events leading up to the present situation were recounted on stage. Action. No action or scene in the play was to be a digression; all were to contribute directly in some way to the plot.

5. Drama The form of literature known as plays; but drama also refers to the type of serious play that is often concerned with the leading character’s relationship to society. The form of literature known as plays; but drama also refers to the type of serious play that is often concerned with the leading character’s relationship to society.

6. Important Dramatic Terms Prologue—a speech, which is often in verse, that is recited to the audience by one or more actors at the beginning of a play. The prologue sets the stage for the action that will follow and can be thought of as a sort of preface or introduction to a dramatic work.

7. Important Dramatic Terms Tragedy—a drama of a solemn and dignified quality that typically depicts the development of a conflict between the protagonist and a superior force, such as fate, circumstance, or society, and reaches a mournful or ruinous conclusion.

8. Important Dramatic Terms Tragic flaw—a defect in the protagonist that brings about his or her downfall. Hubris: derived from the Greek word hybris, means “excessive pride.” In Greek tragedy, hubris is often viewed as the flaw that leads to the downfall of the tragic hero.

9. Important Dramatic Terms Tragic hero: the main character of great importance to his state or culture and who is conventionally of noble birth and high social station, the ruler or an important leader in his society. Tragic hero: the main character of great importance to his state or culture and who is conventionally of noble birth and high social station, the ruler or an important leader in his society. The moral health of the state is identified with, and dependent on, that of its ruler, and so the tragic hero’s story is also that of his state. The moral health of the state is identified with, and dependent on, that of its ruler, and so the tragic hero’s story is also that of his state.

10. Important Dramatic Terms Such heroes are mixed characters, neither thoroughly good or thoroughly evil, yet “better” or “greater” than the rest of us in the sense that they are of higher than ordinary moral worth and social significance. Such heroes are mixed characters, neither thoroughly good or thoroughly evil, yet “better” or “greater” than the rest of us in the sense that they are of higher than ordinary moral worth and social significance.