1. Introduction to Greek Theater A.P. Literature

2. The Great Age of Athens Athens was a dominant military power and enjoyed its resultant wealth. Athens was a dominant military power and enjoyed its resultant wealth. The 5 th Century BC experienced an outburst of creative energy in all fields of thought. The 5 th Century BC experienced an outburst of creative energy in all fields of thought. Political theory – the advent of democracy Political theory – the advent of democracy Philosophical thought Philosophical thought Architecture Architecture Performing Arts Performing Arts

3. Evolution of Theater Choral performances came first. Choral performances came first. Worship the gods Worship the gods Celebrate victory Celebrate victory Dramatic narrative: first created by Thespis who added the speech of an actor. Dramatic narrative: first created by Thespis who added the speech of an actor. Dramatic relationship: Aeschylus added a 2 nd actor allowing interaction between two actors, possibly conflict. Dramatic relationship: Aeschylus added a 2 nd actor allowing interaction between two actors, possibly conflict. Multiple relationships: Sophocles adds a 3 rd actor. The role of the chorus is reduced to commentator. Multiple relationships: Sophocles adds a 3 rd actor. The role of the chorus is reduced to commentator.

4. Elements of Greek Tragic Theater Chorus: Chorus: Singers and dancers in festivals Singers and dancers in festivals Originally 50 people, Sophocles used 15 and had it interact with actors Originally 50 people, Sophocles used 15 and had it interact with actors Provided background info for audience Provided background info for audience Represented the people Represented the people Protagonist: Protagonist: A person of high status and great talent. Not a common person. A person of high status and great talent. Not a common person. He has achieved arete, excellence. He has achieved arete, excellence. Supporting cast: Supporting cast: Another actor Another actor Sophocles increased this to 2. Sophocles increased this to 2.

5. Basic Structure of Greek Plays Prologue: Spoken by one or two characters before the chorus appears. Gives the mythological background necessary for understanding the play. Prologue: Spoken by one or two characters before the chorus appears. Gives the mythological background necessary for understanding the play. Parodos: The song sung by the chorus as it first enters the orchestra and dances. Parodos: The song sung by the chorus as it first enters the orchestra and dances. c. First Episode: The first of many "episodes", when the characters and chorus talk. c. First Episode: The first of many "episodes", when the characters and chorus talk. d. First Stasimon: At the end of each episode, the other characters usually leave the stage and the chorus dances and sings a stasimon, or choral ode. The ode usually reflects on the things said and done in the episodes, and puts it into some kind of larger mythological framework. d. First Stasimon: At the end of each episode, the other characters usually leave the stage and the chorus dances and sings a stasimon, or choral ode. The ode usually reflects on the things said and done in the episodes, and puts it into some kind of larger mythological framework. For the rest of the play, there is alternation between episodes and stasima, until the final scene, called the... For the rest of the play, there is alternation between episodes and stasima, until the final scene, called the... e. Exodos: At the end of play, the chorus exits singing a processional song which usually offers words of wisdom related to the actions and outcome of the play. e. Exodos: At the end of play, the chorus exits singing a processional song which usually offers words of wisdom related to the actions and outcome of the play. http://academic.reed.edu/humanities/110Tech/Theater.html

6. Dionysus Dionysus was the god of wine, agriculture, and fertility of nature, who is also the patron god of the Greek stage. Dionysus was the god of wine, agriculture, and fertility of nature, who is also the patron god of the Greek stage.

7. Festival of Dionysus Multi-day Festival Multi-day Festival Tribute form subject cities was put on display. Tribute form subject cities was put on display. Orphaned children of fallen soldiers, who were cared for and educated by the city, were paraded in full armor when they were men. Orphaned children of fallen soldiers, who were cared for and educated by the city, were paraded in full armor when they were men. Honors & distinctions awarded to foreign dignitaries and leading citizens. Honors & distinctions awarded to foreign dignitaries and leading citizens.

8. Festival of Dionysus Each day begins with drama and there is a a contest. Each day begins with drama and there is a a contest. 3 dramatists present their plays on 3 successive days. 3 dramatists present their plays on 3 successive days. Cash prizes awarded but amount unknown. Cash prizes awarded but amount unknown. True prize was the admiration of fellow citizens. True prize was the admiration of fellow citizens. Sophocles won first place 18 times and never took less than second. Sophocles won first place 18 times and never took less than second. Comedy at the end of the day Comedy at the end of the day Anything goes. Politicians and independent citizens were ridiculed. Anything goes. Politicians and independent citizens were ridiculed. The no-holds-barred style was something few states even today allow. The no-holds-barred style was something few states even today allow. Sponsors were appointed by the city Sponsors were appointed by the city Pay for costumes, etc. Pay for costumes, etc. Enlightened taxation. Enlightened taxation.

9. Sophocles Lived 496 BC – 406 BC Lived 496 BC – 406 BC Ancient sources credit him with 123 plays, but only 7 survived intact. Ancient sources credit him with 123 plays, but only 7 survived intact. Antigone – 442 BC Antigone – 442 BC Oedipus the King – 430 BC Oedipus the King – 430 BC Oedipus at Colonus – after Sophocles death Oedipus at Colonus – after Sophocles death Deeply involved in public affairs. Deeply involved in public affairs. Treasurer for the League against Persia Treasurer for the League against Persia 1 of 10 generals at the revolt of Samos 1 of 10 generals at the revolt of Samos At age of 85, was appointed to a special board to respond to the Sicilian crisis. At age of 85, was appointed to a special board to respond to the Sicilian crisis.

10. Sophocles, the Great Innovator Made each play a complete story itself, denser action. Made each play a complete story itself, denser action. Previous model was a trilogy of plays made up the tragic story. Previous model was a trilogy of plays made up the tragic story. Developed the tragic hero by focusing on a single dominating character. Developed the tragic hero by focusing on a single dominating character. 6 of his 7 surviving plays are named after the protagonist. 6 of his 7 surviving plays are named after the protagonist. 1st to add a 3 rd character to the cast. 1st to add a 3 rd character to the cast.

11. Theater of Dionysus in Athens academic.reed.edu/.../graphics/thdionysus2.JPG

12. Greek Theater http://academic.reed.edu/humanities/110Tech/Theater.html

13. Greek Theater Orchestra: Dancing Place Orchestra: Dancing Place Usually round Usually round 60 feet diameter in Athens 60 feet diameter in Athens Level space where the chorus would dance, sing and interact with actors. Level space where the chorus would dance, sing and interact with actors. Theatron: Viewing Place Theatron: Viewing Place Usually part of a hillside. Usually part of a hillside. Up to 15,000 spectators Up to 15,000 spectators http://academic.reed.edu/humanities/110Tech/Theater.html

14. Greek Theater Skene: Tent Skene: Tent Directly behind the stage. Directly behind the stage. This is where the actors stood This is where the actors stood Elevated several feet, 10 X 25 feet in size. Elevated several feet, 10 X 25 feet in size. Usually decorated as a temple, palace or whatever the play mandated. Usually decorated as a temple, palace or whatever the play mandated. One door for actors and access from the roof. One door for actors and access from the roof. Parados: Passageways Parados: Passageways Chorus and some actors used this for entrances & exits. Chorus and some actors used this for entrances & exits. Used by spectators. Used by spectators. http://academic.reed.edu/humanities/110Tech/Theater.html

15. Costumes Cast were all male. Masks enabled women characters. Cast were all male. Masks enabled women characters. Actors were so far away, they were hard to see. Actors were so far away, they were hard to see. Boots added to height Boots added to height Gloves exaggerated hand movements Gloves exaggerated hand movements Masks depicting comedy and/or tragedy were word. Masks depicting comedy and/or tragedy were word.

16. Greek Literary Terms Demos: The common man Demos: The common man Hamartia: describes what many people refer to as the "tragic flaw" of the hero of Greek tragedy, hamartia has a complex meaning which includes "sin," "error," "trespass," and "missing the mark" (as in archery–missing the bull's-eye). The "mistake" of the hero has an integral place in the plot of the tragedy Hamartia: describes what many people refer to as the "tragic flaw" of the hero of Greek tragedy, hamartia has a complex meaning which includes "sin," "error," "trespass," and "missing the mark" (as in archery–missing the bull's-eye). The "mistake" of the hero has an integral place in the plot of the tragedy http://www.english.hawaii.edu/criticalink/aristotle/terms/hamartia.html

17. Greek Literary Terms Anagnorisis: the recognition by the tragic hero of some truth about their identity or actions that lead to the reversal of their situation. Anagnorisis: the recognition by the tragic hero of some truth about their identity or actions that lead to the reversal of their situation. Peripeteia: The reversal of the situation in the plot of a tragedy Peripeteia: The reversal of the situation in the plot of a tragedy Catharsis: purging of the emotions of pity and fear that are aroused in the viewer of a tragedy Catharsis: purging of the emotions of pity and fear that are aroused in the viewer of a tragedy Pathos: the powerful emotions of pity and fear aroused in the audience Pathos: the powerful emotions of pity and fear aroused in the audience www.english.hawaii.edu/criticalink/aristotle/terms/hamartia.html

18. Evolution of Tragedy Aeschylus et al Aeschylus et al 3 plays, chronological account of fate. Today as a part of a chain of events. 3 plays, chronological account of fate. Today as a part of a chain of events. Men’s destinies are controlled by their fates. Men’s destinies are controlled by their fates. Characters often guided by the gods. Characters often guided by the gods. Sophocles Sophocles 1 play, chain of cause and effect of individual characters. Men’s destinies are a result of their actions. Unsupported by gods, they make decisions driven by their natures. They fiercely defend their and stick by their decisions.

19. Evolution of Tragedy Sophocles characters have free will and are responsible for their actions. Sophocles characters have free will and are responsible for their actions. Great individuals refuse to accept the limitations on human stature. Great individuals refuse to accept the limitations on human stature. Gods: guardians of the very limits the hero defies. Gods: guardians of the very limits the hero defies. They bear no responsibility but their presence is felt. They bear no responsibility but their presence is felt.

20. Evolution of Tragedy Tragic heroes are stubborn. Tragic heroes are stubborn. They are advised to retreat form their passionate temper. They are advised to retreat form their passionate temper. An appeal to reason not emotions. An appeal to reason not emotions. The opinions of others is irrelevant. The opinions of others is irrelevant. Heroes refuse and are usually angry. Heroes refuse and are usually angry. They remain true to their characters and may triumph or fail. They remain true to their characters and may triumph or fail.

21. Evolution of Tragedy They fall from great heights or esteem They fall from great heights or esteem They realize they made an irreversible error They realize they made an irreversible error Face and accept death with honor Face and accept death with honor The audience is affected by pity or fear The audience is affected by pity or fear