Greek DramaGreek Drama

TheaterTheater

Theater was a means forTheater was a means forentertainmententertainmentreligionreligioncivic loyaltycivic loyaltyhonor to local heroeshonor to local heroessocial eventssocial eventscompetitioncompetition

Physical Structure of TheaterPhysical Structure of Theater

Theaters were not buildings; usually Theaters were not buildings; usually hillsides with wooden (later stone) hillsides with wooden (later stone) benches addedbenches added

Open airOpen air

Parts of the DramaParts of the Drama

ParodosParodos- the first song of the - the first song of the Chorus, or entrance to theater used Chorus, or entrance to theater used by chorusby chorusOde-Ode- a song chanted by the a song chanted by the ChorusChorusPaeanPaean- a song of praise, joy , or - a song of praise, joy , or thanksgivingthanksgivingExodosExodos- the last part of the play- the last part of the play

Actors and ActingActors and Acting

Actor and playwright were usually the same Actor and playwright were usually the same (took leading role)(took leading role)

Never more than 3 actors (each changed Never more than 3 actors (each changed characters as needed) characters as needed) Protagonist: main characterProtagonist: main character Deuteragonist: second most important characterDeuteragonist: second most important character Tritagonist: third most important characterTritagonist: third most important character

All male performers (no women; men played All male performers (no women; men played female roles)female roles)

Because theaters were so large, actors had Because theaters were so large, actors had to exaggerate movements to be seen.to exaggerate movements to be seen.

Mask of Dionysus

Mask of warrior

Mask of philosopher

Mask of woman

The ChorusThe Chorus

Chanted, danced, commented on action of playChanted, danced, commented on action of play Accompanied by single musician (played aulos: Accompanied by single musician (played aulos:

pipe)pipe) Sets overall mood and expresses themeSets overall mood and expresses theme Adds beauty through song and danceAdds beauty through song and dance Gives background informationGives background information Divides action and offers reflections on eventsDivides action and offers reflections on events ChoragosChoragos

Leader of chorusLeader of chorus Sometimes involved in dialogueSometimes involved in dialogue Questions, advises, expresses opinionsQuestions, advises, expresses opinions Usually represents typical viewer’s reaction to events of Usually represents typical viewer’s reaction to events of

playplay

Dramatic ConventionsDramatic Conventions UnityUnity

Action: simple plotAction: simple plot Time: single dayTime: single day Place: one scene throughoutPlace: one scene throughout

MessengerMessenger Tells of news happening away from sceneTells of news happening away from scene Violence did not occur onstage; messenger would Violence did not occur onstage; messenger would

describe in gory detaildescribe in gory detail LimitationsLimitations

Continuous presence of chorus “on stage”Continuous presence of chorus “on stage” No intermissionNo intermission No artificial lightingNo artificial lighting No curtainsNo curtains Few props (usually for character identification: swords, Few props (usually for character identification: swords,

sticks, etc)sticks, etc)

TragedyTragedy

The fall of a great man (or woman)The fall of a great man (or woman)Tragic hero: main character whose Tragic hero: main character whose

downfall is the result of a tragic flawdownfall is the result of a tragic flawPurpose: to inspire audience to Purpose: to inspire audience to

reexamine their own lives, define reexamine their own lives, define beliefs, etc.beliefs, etc.

AntigoneAntigone: Time and Place: Time and Place

Ancient Greece-The city of Thebes Ancient Greece-The city of Thebes (about 30 miles northwest of (about 30 miles northwest of Athens).Athens).

SophoclesSophocles

Born around 496 B.C. Born around 496 B.C. Athletic and skilled in musicAthletic and skilled in musicWrote 123 dramasWrote 123 dramasAdded third actorAdded third actorFixed number in Chorus to 15Fixed number in Chorus to 15 Introduced painted sceneryIntroduced painted scenery

AntigoneAntigone & Ancient Greece & Ancient Greece

Greeks of Sophocles‘s day believed Greeks of Sophocles‘s day believed that if a corpse was not buried or that if a corpse was not buried or cremated according to ritual, his/her cremated according to ritual, his/her soul would wander the earth, soul would wander the earth, bringing shame upon its survivors.bringing shame upon its survivors.

To leave a body unburied was a To leave a body unburied was a terrible insult to the family of the terrible insult to the family of the deceased. deceased.

Characters in Characters in AntigoneAntigoneAntigoneAntigone- daughter of Oedipus- daughter of Oedipus IsmeneIsmene- daughter of Oedipus- daughter of OedipusEurydice-Eurydice- wife of Creon wife of CreonCreon-Creon- King of Thebes, uncle of King of Thebes, uncle of

Antigone and IsmeneAntigone and IsmeneHaimonHaimon (Haemon)- son of Creon (Haemon)- son of CreonTeiresiasTeiresias: a blind prophet: a blind prophetChorusChorusChoragos-Choragos- leader of the Chorus leader of the Chorus

Characters-AllusionsCharacters-Allusions

Oedipus RexOedipus Rex- - was the king of Thebes was the king of Thebes who was destined from birth to who was destined from birth to murder his father, Laius, and marry his murder his father, Laius, and marry his mother, Jocasta; blinds himself. mother, Jocasta; blinds himself.

Eteocles-Eteocles- son of Oedipus; died in war- son of Oedipus; died in war- has Creon’s favorhas Creon’s favor

Polyneices-Polyneices- son of Oedipus; died in son of Oedipus; died in war against Creon-will not receive war against Creon-will not receive proper burial.proper burial.

Added FactsAdded Facts

Sophocles used only three actors in Sophocles used only three actors in the original performance (all that the original performance (all that were permitted under the drama were permitted under the drama competition regulations): competition regulations):