Introduction To Greek Theatre and Tragedy

Genre: Greek Tragedy the word "tragedy" refers primarily to tragic drama: a literary

composition written to be performed by actors in which a central character called a tragic protagonist or hero suffers

some serious misfortune which is not accidental but is significant in that the misfortune is logically connected with the hero's actions.

Tragedy stresses the vulnerability of human beings whose suffering is brought on by a combination of human and divine actions, but is

generally undeserved with regard to its harshness.

The Acropolis

The Parthenon

Theatre of Dionysus

Theatre of Dionysus

Side by Side

Greek MasksFunctions of Greek Masks

Portrayed different emotions

Amplified voices

Allowed actors to portray different characters

Clothing - Costume

• The Chiton -: sleeved, decorated tunic

• Chotharnus- elevating shoes

• Chalmys- short cloak

• Himation- long cloak

Qualities of Greek Dramao Performed on special

occasions or festivals for worshipping Dionysus

o Competitive- prizes awarded (maybe a goat!)

o Choral-singing was very important, Greek Theatre evolved from from a chorus singing

o Closely associated with religion and worshipping gods.

Structure of Greek Drama and Sophocles’ Plays

Violence and Death Offstage

Frequent use of messengers to relate information

Usually a single place (setting)

Stories based on myth or history, but varied interpretations of both

Some characteristics of a Sophocles play:

§ Emphasis on individual characters

§ Reduced role of the Chorus

§ Complex characters, psychological well-motivated

§ Characters subjected to crisis which leads to suffering and self-recognition

§ Common Theme: The choices people make and consequences

The Greek Chorus The Chorus began in numbers as large

as 50, then smaller sizes as actors become more predominate. T

hey provided time for scene changes, introduced background and summary information.

Their dance and chanting provided the visionary experience that separated audience from the actor and the essence of tragedy.

Ideal spectator: reacts as the audience should. Asks questions, takes part in the play

Establishes framework, sets the standard by which action will be judged

Heightens dramatic effect through movement, song and dance

Rhythmical Function-pauses/paces the action so audience can reflect and actors can rest/prepare

So What does all this mean?

• Big Theatre

• Big Characters

• Big Emotions

• Big Consequences- for one person!

THE TRAGIC HERO!

Aristotle’s Tragic HeroTragedy should evoke a sense of pity and fear in the

audienceTragedy can only arouse the sense of pity and fear if the

hero is neither completely good nor completely badThe tragic hero should be highly renowned and

prosperous because the hero must fall from tremendous good fortune in order to feel pity and fear

The hero experiences a downfall because of their “error or frailty. This means either:

their tragic flaw ( a fundamental character weakness, such as destructive pride, ruthless ambition or obsessive jealousy.)

Or a single error of judgment

Tragic Hero Continued• Regardless of how one interprets the “error or frailty”, the

key point is that the hero is on some level responsible for their downfall.

• By the end of the play the hero comes to recognize their error and accept the consequences as their own fault

• The real tragic hero is humbled and enlightened by the tragedy

• The tragic hero evokes our pity because he is not evil and his misfortune is greater than he deserves, and he evokes our fear because we realize we are fallible and could make the same error