Transcript Greek Theatre Powerpoint - Learning Management Systems

Introduction to
Greek Drama
Mrs. Lewis
How Theatre Began…
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We don’t know exactly how theatre
began, or where or when it originated
We do know that the impulse to create
theatre is universal Elements of theatre:
Storytelling, Costumes, and Imitation.
The first form of theatre was storytelling.
 Stories that at some point became acted
out.
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Origin of Greek Drama
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Drama was developed by the
ancient Greeks during
celebrations honoring Dionysus.
Drama was born in ancient
Greece!• 600s B.C. - Greeks
were giving choral performances
of dancing and singing•
Dionysus is he was the god of
fertility
With the inclusion of many choral
songs, the early Greek plays
resembled what we call opera
today.
Festival of Dionysus
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The Festival of Dionysus took place in Athens over the course
of five days in March or April.
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During the first day, the Greeks held a procession honoring
Dionysus in which all citizens participated.
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During the festival’s second day, the choral songs were
performed.
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On the last three days of the festival, the actors performed
three tragedies, one satyr (satire – mock heroic tragedies)
play, and one comedy.
Festival of Dionysus
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The archon, a state official, selected three poets to
compete for the prizes in the tragedy division.
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The choregus, a wealthy, prominent citizen of Athens,
was required by law to pay for the cost of training and
costumes for the chorus.
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A jury of 10 citizens selected the winning poet
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The playwright served as a sort of teacher, offering plays
for the ethical and moral improvement of his fellow
citizens to insure the spiritual survival of the community.
The Greek Theatre
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Theatron = area of seats for the audience hollowed out from
the hillside
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Orchestra = large area in front of the stage where the chorus
sang and danced
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Thymele = the altar centered in the orchestra used for
sacrifices to Dionysus
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Parados = walled walkway used by the chorus to enter and
exit the stage
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Pro-scenium = a long, low stage behind the orchestra
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Skene = building that contained the actors’ dressing rooms
The Greek Theatre
The Greek Theatre was
similar to an outdoor
stadium that could hold
between 15,000 – 20,000
people.
Greek Theater
Greek Theater
Greek Theater
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CVO9
Vd067U&feature=youtu.be
Greeks’ Special Effects
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There were no curtains, intermissions, lights, or
microphones.
All violence and death happened offstage!
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Consequently, all scenes took place in daylight
settings, all scene changes had to be built into the
actor’s dialogue, and the chorus and actors had to
have strong voices.
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Deus ex machina (meaning: “god from the
machine”) = type of crane used for suspending
figures who portrayed gods.
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Eccylema = moveable or revolving platform.
Greeks’ Special Effects
The Actors
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The Greek name for an actor was “hypocrite.”
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As there were only 3 actors, they wore masks to play multiple
parts.
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All actors were men, because it was considered undignified
for women to appear on stage.
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Actors wore padded costumes, wigs, and high-heeled boots to
make them taller and give them added dignity and power.
High-soled boots were worn to add height
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Actors had to be able to speak in poetic language and sing
using a loud and clear voice.
The Chorus
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The chorus was led by a conductor and
consisted of singers and dancers who moved
and sang together, acting as one character.
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A Choral Ode was chanted or sung in unison.
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Originally, they Chorus started out with 50
people, but Sophocles fixed the number at 15.
The Chorus
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The playwright used the chorus and their songs to:
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Add the beauty of song and dance.
Set the mood or express the main themes of the
play by commenting on the action.
 Chorus members could represent the townspeople
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Converse with and give advice to the actors.
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Tell about events that have already happened in the
past.
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Foretell the future by interpreting the actions of the
actors.
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The Chorus
 Functions
of the chorus:
 establishes ethical framework, sets up
standard by which action will be judged
 ideal spectator - reacts as playwright hopes
audience would
 sets mood and heightens dramatic effects
 adds movement, spectacle, song, and dance
 rhythmical function - pauses / paces the
action so that the audience can reflect.
The Stories
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Originally, the stories
were hymns and
prayers honoring the
gods, especially
Dionysus.
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Over time, the content
of the stories changed
to legends of Greek
leaders and heroes.
Tragedy
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In a tragedy, the plot revealed what happened to
a person who went against the laws of the gods
or who was too proud
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This stems from the Greek belief that man was
subject to the whims of the gods and fate.
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The root of Greek tragedy is that man can not
avoid suffering.
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In nearly all tragedies, man’s biggest fault is
excessive pride – a mistaken belief that he could
somehow avoid fate or the will of the gods.
Greek Tragic Hero
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The Greek tragic hero had to be a man or woman
capable of great suffering
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The tragic hero is brought to disaster by
hamartia, or a single flaw in a person’s
character.
Hubris
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Hubris is defined as excessive pride.
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Hubris leaves leads to suffering and then to an
understanding (catharsis) of man’s place in the system
of life.
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Think of at least three modern examples of characters whose
downfall is caused by their hubris.
Catharsis is an emotional release caused by an intense
emotional experience.
The purpose of a Greek tragedy is to learn a lesson
through the catastrophes that befall the characters on
stage and to understand that their misfortunes are a
result of not following the will of the Gods or trying to
avoid their own destinies because of hubris.
Structure of a Greek Tragedy
1.
Prologue – the actors present the opening
situation on stage
2.
Parados – the entering song and dance of the
chorus
3.
Episodes – periods of more action by the actors
4.
Stasima/Stasimon – choral ode or song
commenting on the action
5.
Exodus – the last action of the play
Oedipus Family Tree
CADMUS
Founder of Thebes
indicates sibling relationship
POLYDORUS
King of Thebes
LABDACUS
King of Thebes
MENOCEUS
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LAIUS
King of Thebes
OEDIPUS
ETEOCLES
JOCASTA
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CREON
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POLYNICES
ISMENE
*ANTIGONE
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HAEMON
EURYDICE