Do Now: 11-3-11

Drama is a form of literature written to be performed on stage in front of an audience. The two main types of drama are comedy and tragedy.

List as many examples of comedies and tragedies that you can think of. Be sure to identify what you think makes them fall into the category of “comedy” or “tragedy.”

Comedy: drama characterized by a humorous or satirical tone; characters overcome adversity or ultimately triumph

Tragedy: drama characterized by tragic events and having an unhappy ending concerning the downfall of a main character

Conventions of Dramaplaywright: a person who writes plays

protagonist: the main character in a play

antagonist: a character working against the main character

character list: brief descriptions of all characters, listed in the order in which they appear

setting: time and place

plays are divided into acts and scenes

Acts are the main (bigger) divisions

Acts are then divided into scenes (smaller divisions)

prop: a portable object other than furniture or costumes used on the set of a drama

stage direction: an instruction in the text of a play; usually indicates movement, position, tone of an actor, or the sound effects and lighting

written in by the playwright(teacher moves to right, picks up tissue box, slams it to the floor and exits room through main door)

dialogue: conversation between two or more characters

monologue: a long speech by one character

Good Will Hunting

soliloquy: an act of speaking one’s thoughts aloud when by oneself or regardless of anyone else hearing

aside: a remark or passage by characters in a play intended to be heard only by the audience, not the other character

Malcolm in the Middle

Saved By the Bell

Do Now: 11/4/11

Using your notes, fill-in the blanks, by defining, and turn in!

Prop- Dialogue-Aside-Setting- Character List-

Think and discuss...

What is the role of theatre in modern-day society? Ancient Greece?

Classical Greek Drama

part of religionway of displaying loyalty to city-statemethod of honoring local heroessocial event philosophical issuesthrilling competition

Using Your Books:Your group should focus on…

TheaterActors and CostumesLighting and PropsDramatistsTragedy/Tragic hero

Theater15,000 spectators- Theater of Dionysusexaggerated gestures were necessarylast row was 55 yards from the stagerebuilt using stone, but originally crafted in wood

The Evolution of the Early

Theatrical Space

From Religious Ceremony to Performance

The Greek Outdoor AmphitheatreThe Greek Outdoor Amphitheatre

Two major performance areas-Two major performance areas-

The Orchestra or “Dancing Circle”served as the primary acting area

The Orchestra or “Dancing Circle”served as the primary acting area

The Skene (scene building)- consisted of a building behind the

orchestra probably used as a dressing room, later to be

integrated into the stage action by an innovative playwright.

The Skene (scene building)- consisted of a building behind the

orchestra probably used as a dressing room, later to be

integrated into the stage action by an innovative playwright.

Greek Scenic DevicesGreek Scenic Devices

Periaktoi- a revolving triangular devices

with one scene painted on each side.

Periaktoi- a revolving triangular devices

with one scene painted on each side.

Tunnel from behind the Skene to the center of the

stage.

Scenic wagonsrevealed through doors on the Skene.

Pinakespainted panels that could be attached to

the skene.

Tunnel from behind the Skene to the center of the

stage.

Scenic wagonsrevealed through doors on the Skene.

Pinakespainted panels that could be attached to

the skene.

The Machina- a crane that was used to

represent characters who were flying or lifted off of

the earth.

The Machina- a crane that was used to

represent characters who were flying or lifted off of

the earth.

Deus ex Machina- “God From the Machine”

Deus ex Machina- “God From the Machine”

Actors and CostumesNO GIRLS ALLOWED!Masks of wool, linen, wood, plasterRobes for tragic actorsConventional costumes for chorus

Lighting and Props

Open-airNatural lightingFew propssymbolsaction off-stage

DramatistsFestival of Dionysus= drama competitionAeschylus (es ka lus), Sophocles, Euripides, AristophanesRetold myths, rewrote history, ridiculed politiciansComedy and drama

Tragedy/Tragic Hero

Fall of a great man/womanCentral to tragedyMiddle of the roadAudience learns through

character and examines himself/herself

Closing

Is it always better to know the truth, no matter what the consequences? Why or why not?

Provide examples from literature, pop culture, history, or personal experience.

You are asked to answer this question in one paragraph.

11-7-11: Do Now

What were some of the purposes that theater served in ancient Greece?

Chorus (group of actors) danced and

sang hymns to Dionysus

Thespis, lyric poet, introduced

single actor, separate from

chorus

Dramatist, Aeschylus,

added second actor

Sophocles, his rival, added a

third

Drama was born!

Sophocles: THE MAN

lived in fifth century B .C.- “Golden Age of Greece”

time of great cultural and political achievement

fellow citizens loved him!

born to a wealthy family from Colonus, near Athens

handsome, athletic, skilled in music

taught by great philosophers, musicians

studied Aeschylus

28: entered drama competition honoring Dionysus

1st prize: beat Aeschylus

120+ plays

24 won 1st prize @ Dionysia

only 7 plays

survive intact

Oedipus the King singled out as finest

play of classical period

Can you solve the riddle of the Sphinx?

What walks on four legs in the morning, on two at noon, and on three in the evening?

REVIEW for tomorrow’s Quiz!!!!

_________: drama characterized by a humorous or satirical tone; characters overcome adversity or ultimately triumph

_________: drama characterized by tragic events and ---having an unhappy ending concerning the downfall of a main character

__________: a person who writes plays

__________: the main character in a play

__________: a character working against the main character

________________: brief descriptions of all characters, listed in the order in which they appear

setting includes ___________ and _____________________: a portable object other than furniture or costumes used on the set of a dramawhat was the purpose in ancient Greece?

___________: an instruction in the text of a play; usually indicates movement, position, tone of an actor, or the sound effects and lighting

written in by the _____________why are they so important to a play?

Explain the differences between a monologue, soliloquy and an aside.What purposes did drama serve in ancient Greece?Briefly explain the “birth” of drama.