Greek Theatre

1
Greek Theatre
2
Origins of Drama

• Drama originated from religious ceremonies
• main feature of the religious festivals given in
  honor of Dionysus

3
Origins of Drama

• After work, people of Greece sang and danced in a
  circle to worship their gods.
• These circle dances became the dithyramb, a
  religious ritual performed by a chorus of men
  wearing masks.

4
Origins of Drama

• Thespis ( 6th Century B.C.)
• Considered the first playwright Father of
  Drama
• Introduced first actor, and thus, dialogue
• thespian means actor

5
Origins of Drama

• Aeschylus (525 426 B.C.)
• added a second actor in the early 5th century
• wrote trilogies on unified themes

6
Origins of Drama

• Sophocles (496 406 B.C.)
• added a third actor in the late 5th century
• fixed number of chorus members to fifteen
• introduced painted scenery
• wrote over 100 plays, of which only 7 have
  survived

7
Origins of Drama

• Euripides (486 406 B.C.)
• was less formal and wrote about the underdog
• reduced participation of chorus in main action
• relied heavily on prologues

8
Structure of Greek Theater
9
Structure of Greek Theater

• theatron where the audience sat
• orchestra circular dancing place where actors
  and chorus performed
• skene building used as a dressing room
• parados entrance to the theater used by the
  chorus

10
Actors and Acting

• Hypocrites the answerer
• 1st dramas (Thespis) actor and playwright
  were originally the same
• playwright took leading role
• never had more than three actors playing all
  roles
• all male performers

11
Elements of Greek Tragedy

• Tragedy play in which main character, tragic
  hero, suffers a downfall.
• Tragic hero character whose downfall is brought
  about by a flaw within his/her own character.
• neither totally good nor totally evil
• usually of high birth (not a commoner)

12
Elements of Greek Tragedy

• hamartia the tragic flaw weakness of character
  or error in judgment which causes the downfall
  of the hero (usually hubris)
• hubris excessive pride arrogance
• anagnorisis recognition or discovery on the
  part of the hero change from ignorance to
  knowledge
• the hero MUST possess this knowledge its what
  brings about the suffering

13
Elements of Greek Tragedy

• peripetia reversal of fortune
• nemesis fate that cannot be escaped
• catharsis release of emotions