Page 248-249. Reasons for the theatre: Entertainment Show religion Advance and show loyalty to...
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Transcript of Page 248-249. Reasons for the theatre: Entertainment Show religion Advance and show loyalty to...
Classical Greek Drama
Page 248-249
Reasons for the theatre:
Entertainment Show religion Advance and show loyalty to politics Honor local heroes Major social event Competition Discussion of philosophical issues
Greek Theatre
One of the oldest forms of theatre Came from religion and myths Gained popularity in 6th century BC Performance Origins:
Dionysus: God of wine; people danced and sang to Dionysus at festivals
Thespis: Lyric Poet; introduced us to a single actor *Today actors are called thespians!
Aeschylus: Added a second actor Sophocles: Adding a third
Origins of Greek Drama
Chorus: A group of actors that voiced
attitudes of the community Thespians: Actors Drama: Greek word for “doing”
In what ways are Greek dramas different from Homer’s epics?
Greek Theatre Vocabulary
Athens 15,000 people The actors had to exaggerate their movements or
they couldn’t be seen by the whole audience Only men performed Masks were worn
Made of Linen Wood Wool Plaster
At the Theater
Actors wore robes which seemed to evolve
into costumes Chorus members dressed in the roles they
were playing Examples: soldiers, priests, animals, etc.
Open-air: Used natural light and heat Few props
Only used as symbols to identify roles Example: A soldier would carry a sword and shield
At the Theater
A messenger would usually deliver bad news
in detail For Example: Violence occurred off stage
Murder Suicide Battles
At the Theater
Festival of Dionysus In Athens Drama competition Four greatest Greek dramatists
Aeschylus Sophocles Euripides Aristophanes
Greek Festival
Comedies
Made fun of society, politics, gods Tragedies
Fall of a great man or woman The Tragic hero is neither very good or very bad The hero’s downfall is brought on my a flaw within their character The tragic flaw encourages people to look at their own lives to
define their beliefs Familiar Themes
Myths History Politicians Humankind’s struggle to find meaning and self-understanding
Topics of Plays
5th century BC during the Golden Age of
Greece Political and cultural achievement
Born into a wealthy family Handsome Athletic Skilled in music Studied tragedy, music composition, and
choreography
Sophocles: Page 250
Wrote 120 plays 24 won first prize at the festival Only 7 survived intact Oedipus the King is the one of the best!
Innovation: Introduced a third actor to the stage Invented scenery Invented special effects
Example: Lowing an actor from the sky
Sophocles: Writing
Is it always better to know the truth? Would you rather have someone lie to you if it
will save your feelings? Give examples.
Oedipus Preview
According to Legend . . .
Oedipus arrived at Thebes A sphinx (wings, lion’s body, woman’s head)
was killing people In order to save them, someone had to answer
this riddle: What walks on four legs in the morning, two at
noon, and three in the evening? Your Answer ____________________________________
Oedipus Preview
Oedipus answered correctly: Man Man crawls as a baby, walks on two legs as a
man, and uses a stick in old age When the sphinx heard this, she killed herself Oedipus became king Oedipus married the widowed queen Jocasta
Oedipus Preview
Chorus: Danced and chanted between
scenes, commented on action; express social and religious views
Dignity: The quality of being worthy of honor Vengeance: Revenge; The return of a harmful
deed for a harmful deed Denounce: To inform against, accuse publicly Dire: Terrible; bad enough to arouse dread
Vocabulary
Denotation: Dictionary meaning Connotation: Emotional meaning it evokes
Lit Terms