Classic DramaClassic Drama

Engl 210Engl 210

Preview to the Study of SophoclesPreview to the Study of Sophocles

Aristotle:Aristotle:

Drama conveys humanity’s need to Drama conveys humanity’s need to imitateimitate experience experience

Aristotle’s Principles of UnityAristotle’s Principles of Unity Unity of ActionUnity of Action Unity of PlaceUnity of Place Unity of TimeUnity of Time Events, words, and images all work to Events, words, and images all work to

convey meaningful human events convey meaningful human events

What constitutes a show?What constitutes a show?

Actor Actor + Audience + Audience

+ Space+ Space = Theater= Theater

Theatron [Greek “seeing place”]Theatron [Greek “seeing place”]

Why Drama?Why Drama?

EntertainmentEntertainment InstructionInstruction MotivationMotivation PersuasionPersuasion Shock & Awe Shock & Awe

Theatrical FormatsTheatrical Formats

PresentationalPresentational Greek TheatreGreek Theatre ShakespeareShakespeare MusicalsMusicals Asian TheatreAsian Theatre

RepresentationalRepresentational RealismRealism NaturalismNaturalism

Key factor: AudienceKey factor: Audience

Shares the performanceShares the performance Provides feedbackProvides feedback Catalyzes the message(s)Catalyzes the message(s) Reviews the actors, action, themesReviews the actors, action, themes Affects popularity and notorietyAffects popularity and notoriety $$$$$$$$$$

Greek TheatreGreek Theatre

Originally hymns to Dionysus (Greek god Originally hymns to Dionysus (Greek god of fertility)of fertility)

Performed in spaces mirroring the Performed in spaces mirroring the threshing circle (agrarian roots)threshing circle (agrarian roots)

Open-air performances in 20,000-seat Open-air performances in 20,000-seat ampitheatersampitheaters

Based on legends and historyBased on legends and history

The Theatre at AthensThe Theatre at Athens

http://www.theatron.co.uk/http://www.theatron.co.uk/ - virtual - virtual

Dramatis PersonaeDramatis Personae

Actor(s) (1, 2, and later 3)Actor(s) (1, 2, and later 3) ChorusChorus ChoragosChoragos MusiciansMusicians

Conventions of the Greek Conventions of the Greek TheatreTheatre

Staging areas defined by arches or Staging areas defined by arches or doorwaysdoorways

Chorus “sang and danced” the odesChorus “sang and danced” the odes Actors wore large, elaborate masksActors wore large, elaborate masks Richly decorated costumes indicated status Richly decorated costumes indicated status

of actorsof actors Little physical action – dialogue!Little physical action – dialogue! Violent scenes occurred offstageViolent scenes occurred offstage

The Plot of a Greek The Plot of a Greek TragedyTragedy

Parados (1-2 actors)Parados (1-2 actors) ChorusChorus Acts separated by choral odesActs separated by choral odes Choral odes (comment on and help Choral odes (comment on and help

reveal the play action, history, etc.)reveal the play action, history, etc.) ExodosExodos

Greek Theatre = Religious Greek Theatre = Religious RitualRitual

1.1. To explain the ways of the gods to mankind.To explain the ways of the gods to mankind.

2.2. To explain the relationship of humankind to To explain the relationship of humankind to the material world.the material world.

3.3. To explain the nature of violence and its To explain the nature of violence and its consequences.consequences.

4.4. To resolve issues in the material and divine To resolve issues in the material and divine worlds.worlds.

In other words, these dramas are highly didactic.In other words, these dramas are highly didactic.

Aristotle’s Aristotle’s DissectionDissection of of TragedyTragedy

Plot (Mythos) Plot (Mythos) Character Character Thought Thought Diction (Language) Diction (Language) Music Music Spectacle Spectacle

The Myth of OedipusThe Myth of Oedipus

The Oracle at Delphi predicts the fate of the The Oracle at Delphi predicts the fate of the child to be born to Laius and Jocasta, King and child to be born to Laius and Jocasta, King and Queen of Thebes:Queen of Thebes:

The child will kill his father and marry his The child will kill his father and marry his mother.mother.

After his birth, the couple drives a rivet into the After his birth, the couple drives a rivet into the child’s ankles and instructs a servant to child’s ankles and instructs a servant to abandon it on Mt. Cithaeron. abandon it on Mt. Cithaeron.

Remember?Remember?

Essential QuestionsEssential Questions

What are the characteristics of human What are the characteristics of human nature?nature?

What is the role of fate in our lives?What is the role of fate in our lives? What circumstances are within our What circumstances are within our

control?control? What principles should guide our lives?What principles should guide our lives?