Transcript Sophocles-Greek Playwright

A Brief Introduction to
Ancient Greek Theater
Sophocles-Greek Playwright
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Born in 496 BC in
Colunus Greece
Died at age 90
At age 28, one of his
plays won a contest
Sophocles won most
often in Greek
playwright contests,
over 20 times.
Tragedy
Tragic plays involve the
downfall of the hero and
usually end with his or her
destruction.
They also involve intense
emotion that leads to an
emotional release - a
CATHARSIS
According to
Aristotle, Tragedies…
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Arouse pity, fear, wonder
or awe
Explore the relationship of
gods and mortals
Purify the emotions &
Show how the hero is
brought down by a
character flaw
Greek Theatre
The orchestra was a
circular floor between
the skene and
audience.
Plays were
performed in
amphitheatres
that seated
40,000
The stage was at
the foot of a hill
The skene was a
large building
behind the stage
for dressing or
backdrop
Costumes and Masks
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All actors were men
They wore masks with
built-in megaphones
They also wore platform
shoes and long robes.
All aspects of the
costumes, masks and
movements were
exaggerated to be seen
from far away
Greek Masks
Masks were made of wool, linen, wood, plaster or
other perishable materials.
Greek Theatre, continued
The Chorus was a group of
15 and acted as one
character, commenting
on the action in the play
and reacting as
spectators to the play.
In Antigone, the chorus
represents the leading
citizens of Thebes.
The Choragus was the leader of the chorus; he
interacted with the characters in the play
Parts of the Play
Prologue: beginning of the play,
before the action begins
Parodos: song that marks the entry
of the chorus
Scene: where the majority of the action occurs
Ode: song chanted by the chorus,
often a commentary on the action from the
scene.
More Parts of the Play
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Paean: hymn sung by the chorus,
appealing to the gods for
assistance.
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Exodos: last episode in the play.
It is followed by a final speech
addressed directly to the audience
by the chorus