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Unveiling the Ancient Greek Theatre Legacy

Discover the fascinating origins of Greek theatre, from rituals to festivals honoring gods, to the renowned works of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. Explore the evolution of tragedy and comedy, the impact of Thespis and Aristotle, and the enduring conventions that shaped the art form. Dive into the structure of Greek plays, the unique stage area setup, and the powerful catharsis experienced by audiences. Uncover the rich history and influential legacy of Greek theatre.

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Unveiling the Ancient Greek Theatre Legacy

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  1. Greek Theatre History

  2. Greek Theatre • Grew out of religious ceremonies (rituals), which were prominent features of Greek society • Ceremonies included funeral services, festivals celebrating the seasons, and ceremonies honoring the gods • City Dionysia held a festival in honor of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and fertility

  3. Festival of Dionysia • Many believe that Greek drama originated in the dithyrambic chorus presented to honor Dionysus • Dithyramb – a lengthy hymn, sung and danced by a group of 50 men (chorus) • Chorus – group of men, elders that represented the voice of society • There were 4 plays performed at the festival: 3 tragedies and 1 comedy

  4. Greek Tragedy • Tragedy – means “goat song” in Greek • The protagonist (main character) in a tragedy, usually does not reach his goal so tragedies have sad endings • Tragedies are based on myths, which are stories or legends sometimes based on fact, which are handed down from generation to generation • Three Greek tragedy playwrights: Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripedes

  5. Thespis • Greek tragic playwright • Is credited with transforming the dithyramb into tragedy • Added the first actor (hypokrite) to the play • Hypokrite – means an actor speaking behind a mask • Thespians (actors) are named for Thespis

  6. Aeschylus • “Father” of tragedy • Added second actor to plays • Reduced the chorus from 50 to 12 men • Wrote about gods

  7. Sophocles • Wrote about heroes • Added the third actor to plays • Added dramatic action and defined plot structure • Wrote 110 plays; 7 survived • Most noted works: Oedipus Rex and Antigone

  8. Oedipus Rex by Sophocles • Ideal tragedy • Tragic story of a man in search of truth • Fate has preordained that Oedipus to kill his father and marry his mother

  9. Euripides • Playwright who questioned life • Wrote about man not gods or heroes; more interested in human problems rather than religious interests • Emphasized human relationships and emotions • Reduced importance of the chorus

  10. Medeaby Euripides • Most famous play was Medea, a tragedy about a woman who seeks revenge on her unfaithful husband by killing their children

  11. Aristophanes • Greek Comedy playwright • Wrote 40 plays • Combined satire, wit and farce (slapstick comedy) to create the Greek comedy form • Nothing was sacred – made fun of everyone and everything • Most famous play Lysistrata; women try to stop war by refusing to sleep with their husbands until they quit fighting

  12. Lysistrata by Aristophanes • Most famous play Lysistrata; women try to stop war by refusing to sleep with their husbands until they quit fighting

  13. Aristotle • Greek philosopher • Published The Poetics, guideline for the arts • Established six elements of drama: • Plot • Character • Theme • Language (Dialogue) • Music (what you hear) • Spectacle (what you see)

  14. Conventions of Greek Theatre • No violence on stage • Men played all the roles • Only 3 main actors on stage at all times; these actors played multiple roles wearing masks • Audience included all social classes • Audience learned lessons from the plays • Catharsis – purging of emotions – the audience feared the same thing that happened to the protagonist would happen to them

  15. More Conventions • Masks - Actors wore masks to change characters • Large stylized movements were needed to help audience understand the plot • Periaktoi – 3-sided scenic unit to change scenery

  16. More Conventions • Special effects – • Ekkylema – a wagon used to bring characters onstage; often to reveal the results of offstage violence • Deus ex machina – crane hidden behind the upper level of the skene; used for the entrance of the actor playing a god

  17. Greek Play Structure • Prologos – opening scene which begins the action and provides background information • Parados – the chorus enters • Choral ode – performed by the chorus • Exodus – final scene in which all the characters exit from the stage

  18. Theatre and Stage Area • Orchestra – the circular playing space where the actors performed • Parados – the entrance way for the chorus • Proskenion – the bottom level of the skene or stage house • Skene – the scene house behind the orchestra; used to present several locales; actors changed their costumes behind the skene • Theatron – “viewing place”; where audience sat

  19. Greek TheatreBuilt into a hillside • Orchestra for Chorus • Proskenon for Actors • Skene for mask changes • Parados for Chorus • Entrance and Exit

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