Greek Drama

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Drama was born in ancient Greece!

S 600s B.C. - Greeks were giving choral performances of dancing and singing S Performances at festivals honoring Dionysus S Later they held drama contests to honor him

Thespis (534 B. C.)

S First “actor” S Introduced art of acting a part on stage S dramatic impersonation of another character S Uncertain whether he was a playwright, an actor, or a priest S “ Thespian ” term comes from his name

Description of Greek Theater

S Took place in large hillside amphitheaters S held as many as 15,000 to 20,000 people!!

S Players included a chorus and their leader S Lines were chanted rather than spoken S Chorus performed in an “ orchestra ” , not on a raised platform

Greek Theater (continued)

S Masks used to represent characters S High-soled boots worn to add height S Both of these limited movement

Greek Theater

Most Important Era (400s B.C.)

S Tragedies performed as part of a civic celebration called the City Dionysia S Festival lasted several days S Prizes given for best tragedy, comedy, acting, and choral singing

Theater of Dionysus

S Located on slope below the Acropolis in Athens S Seated 14,000 + S Circular acting area called orchestra S Skene (stage house)

The Physical Structure of the Greek Theater

Greek Tragedy

S Nearly all surviving tragedies are based on myth S Character ’ s struggle against hostile forces ended in defeat and ultimately in death S A series of dramatic episodes separated by choral odes (mini-songs).

S Episodes performed by a few actors - never more than 3 on stage

Greek Drama (continued)

S Wore masks to indicate the nature of the characters played.

S Men played women ’ s roles S Same actor appeared in several parts.

S Of the hundreds of Greek tragedies written, fewer than 35 survive.

Greek Tragedy

The Three Greek Tragedians: 1. Aeschylus

- his are the oldest surviving plays - began competing in 449 at Dionysus Theatre. Most of his plays were part of trilogies.

2. Sophocles: (496-406 B.C.)

won 24 contests, never lower than 2 nd; believed to have introduced the 3 rd actor; fixed the chorus at 15 (had been 50).

3. Euripides (480-406 B.C.)

very popular in later Greek times, little appreciated during his life sometimes known as "the father of melodrama".

Three Playwrights

S Aeschylus S Most famous for Oresteia S Introduced concept of second actor S Expanded possibilities for plot

Sophocles

S Innovation of the third actor S Most famous for Oedipus Rex

Euripides

S Created the ultimate form of drama S Far more naturalistic or human approach in his works S Showed interest in psychology through portraits of women S Medea is most famous work S S Describes how a mother kills her children to gain revenge against their father

Euripides (continued)

S Medea is most famous work S Describes how a mother kills her children to gain revenge against their father