Aristotle, Theatre Spaces Theatre 100 -- Dr. Blood week 2 of class Theatre 100 -- Dr. Blood week 2...
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Transcript of Aristotle, Theatre Spaces Theatre 100 -- Dr. Blood week 2 of class Theatre 100 -- Dr. Blood week 2...
Aristotle, Theatre SpacesAristotle, Theatre Spaces
Theatre 100 -- Dr. Blood
week 2 of class
Theatre 100 -- Dr. Blood
week 2 of class
Definitions - Theatre SpacesDefinitions - Theatre Spaces
Theatre must have a live performer and a live audience. That’s it.
Proscenium stage Thrust stage Arena stage Found spaces Environmental staging
Theatre must have a live performer and a live audience. That’s it.
Proscenium stage Thrust stage Arena stage Found spaces Environmental staging
AudienceAudience
Forms a collective identity Cyclic interchange with performers Different behaviors expected in different
times, performance styles Critic as privileged audience member
Peer reviewers for grants Academic critics
Forms a collective identity Cyclic interchange with performers Different behaviors expected in different
times, performance styles Critic as privileged audience member
Peer reviewers for grants Academic critics
Aristotle’s PoeticsAristotle’s Poetics
C. 350 BCE; 1st extant work of literary or artistic criticism
Focus on tragedy; did he also write ones on comedy and epic poetry?
Imitation is the basis of art (from Plato); drama is imitation of action
Definition of tragedy
C. 350 BCE; 1st extant work of literary or artistic criticism
Focus on tragedy; did he also write ones on comedy and epic poetry?
Imitation is the basis of art (from Plato); drama is imitation of action
Definition of tragedy
Six Elements of DramaSix Elements of Drama
In order of importance to Aristotle: Plot Character Thought (theme) Diction (artistic use of language) Song/Music Spectacle
In order of importance to Aristotle: Plot Character Thought (theme) Diction (artistic use of language) Song/Music Spectacle
Plot ElementsPlot Elements
Beginning, middle, end structure Unity and probability A complex vs. a simple plot is preferred;
this includes peripety (reversal) and anagnorisis (recognition)
Single vs. double (no subplots) Goal (telos) is catharsis - gives drama a
social function in the polis
Beginning, middle, end structure Unity and probability A complex vs. a simple plot is preferred;
this includes peripety (reversal) and anagnorisis (recognition)
Single vs. double (no subplots) Goal (telos) is catharsis - gives drama a
social function in the polis
Character elementsCharacter elements
Characters should also be probable or necessary Hero
Good Aim at propriety True to life Consistent
Hamartia (tragic flaw): meaning much debated
Characters should also be probable or necessary Hero
Good Aim at propriety True to life Consistent
Hamartia (tragic flaw): meaning much debated
Structure of Tragic PlotStructure of Tragic Plot
Prologue Parodos 3-5 Episodes (scenes) alternate with Choric
parts Exodus Commos (optional) joint chorus and
character section
Prologue Parodos 3-5 Episodes (scenes) alternate with Choric
parts Exodus Commos (optional) joint chorus and
character section
Old ComedyOld Comedy
5th century BCE Part of City Dionysia from 487 BCE Political and social satire Personal attacks, author’s POV Aristophanes (c.448-380 BCE) bridges old
and middle comedy; Lysistrata (411 BCE) is old comedy
5th century BCE Part of City Dionysia from 487 BCE Political and social satire Personal attacks, author’s POV Aristophanes (c.448-380 BCE) bridges old
and middle comedy; Lysistrata (411 BCE) is old comedy
Structure of Old ComedyStructure of Old Comedy
“Happy idea:” absurd but clear relevance to contemporary issue
Prologue Chorus enters and debates the happy idea (agon)
with each other and characters Parabasis choral section in the middle, direct
address to audience, Scenes of adopting the happy idea Komos - reconciliation, often exiting to feast or
revels
“Happy idea:” absurd but clear relevance to contemporary issue
Prologue Chorus enters and debates the happy idea (agon)
with each other and characters Parabasis choral section in the middle, direct
address to audience, Scenes of adopting the happy idea Komos - reconciliation, often exiting to feast or
revels
Peloponnesian War 431-404 BCE Peloponnesian War 431-404 BCE
Background of Aristophanes’ play: 20 years into the war
Athens (Delian League) vs. Sparta (Peloponnesian League)
1st phase (10 yrs) Athens’ navy raids coasts, Sparta repeatedly invades Attica
Peace of Nicias, 421 2nd: Athens launches attack on Syracuse in 415,
whole force destroyed 413 Persian joins Sparta, they chip away at Athens’
allies Destroy navy at Aegospotami, 405
Background of Aristophanes’ play: 20 years into the war
Athens (Delian League) vs. Sparta (Peloponnesian League)
1st phase (10 yrs) Athens’ navy raids coasts, Sparta repeatedly invades Attica
Peace of Nicias, 421 2nd: Athens launches attack on Syracuse in 415,
whole force destroyed 413 Persian joins Sparta, they chip away at Athens’
allies Destroy navy at Aegospotami, 405
Results of Peloponnesian WarResults of Peloponnesian War Massive human cost Tremendous economic cost; Athens never
regains prosperity Democracy vs. oligarchy Warfare broke prior rules: devastation of
whole cities, crops and countryside, broken religious and cultural taboos
Historians: Thucydides, Xenophon How are these real costs lampooned by
Aristophanes?
Massive human cost Tremendous economic cost; Athens never
regains prosperity Democracy vs. oligarchy Warfare broke prior rules: devastation of
whole cities, crops and countryside, broken religious and cultural taboos
Historians: Thucydides, Xenophon How are these real costs lampooned by
Aristophanes?