Transcript Greek Tragedy

Greek Tragedy
Elements of Greek Tragedy
• Began as a religious
festival to god of wine
and fertility, Dionysus
Dionysus (Bacchus),
god of wine and revelry
Plays depicted serious and important events
• Portrayed a tragic hero whose flaw is
excess pride (hubris) but changes,
gaining a new self-awareness
• Playwrights were considered teachers,
offering plays for moral and ethical
improvement of his fellow citizens
Aristotle’s Definition of a Tragic Hero
Important and
Influential Man
Commits an Error
in Judgment
Suffers Due to
Error in Judgment
Serves as an
Example to Others
Sophocles
• 496?—406 BC
• One of the greatest dramatists of
ancient
Greece
-- introduced painted scenery
– made each play of a trilogy separate in nature (each
play could stand alone)
• Oedipus Rex
• Oedipus on Colunus
• Antigone
– Antigone considered one of the finest
examples of classical Greek tragedy
The Stories
• Written as trilogies
• Showed what happened to a person who
went against the laws or will of the gods
• Taught man that excessive pride (hubris) led
to suffering and then to understanding
(catharsis) of man’s place in life
Structure of Greek Tragedy
• Prologue—gives background information
• Parodos—sung by chorus as it enters
•Episodes/Scenes—main action of play
•Odes—song that reflects on action of the
episodes and weaves plot into a whole
•Paean—prayer of thanksgiving to Dionysos
•Exodus—words of wisdom sung by chorus
The Chorus
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Music and Dance
– music: flute, lyre, drums
– dance: expressive rhythmic movements
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Function of the Chorus
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sets overall mood and expresses theme
adds beauty through song and dance
gives background information
divides action and offers reflection on events
questions, advises, expresses opinion (usually
through Chorus leader, “Choragos”)
Actors and Acting
• Exceptionally loud and clear voices; often sang
• Slow deliberate actions
• Costumes and Masks
– long, flowing robes (colored symbolically)
– high boots with raised soles to give large
appearance
– large masks made of wood, linen, cork
• identified age, gender, emotion
• exaggerated features (eyes, open mouth)
Actors and Acting
• The playwright took the
leading role
• All male performers (played
female roles too)
• Never more than 3 actors
(changed characters)
– protagonist,
deuteragonist, tritagonist
Conventions of Greek Theatre
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Aristotle’s Unities
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The Messenger (sentry)
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action (simple plot)
time (single day)
place (one scene throughout)
tells news happening away from the scene
reports acts of violence not allowed to be seen
Limitations of the Theatre
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the Chorus is constantly on the stage
no intermission
no lighting, no curtains
Greek Theater
• Semi-circular outdoor stadium in a hollowed
out hillside
• Seated 15,000-20,000 audience members