Greek Theatre

Greek Theatre Notes

• Greek tragedy as we know it was created in Athens around the time of 532 BC, when Thespis was the earliest recorded actor. Being a winner of the first theatrical contest held at Athens, he was the exarchon, or leader, of the dithyrambs performed in and around Attica, especially at the rural Dionysia.

• The theatre of Ancient Greece, or ancient Greek drama, is a theatrical culture that flourished in ancient Greece between 550 BC and 220 BC.

• The city-state of Athens, which became a significant cultural, political, and military power during this period, was its centre, where it was institutionalised as part of a festival called the Dionysia, which honored the god Dionysus.

• Tragedy (late 6th century BC), comedy (486 BC), and the satyr play were the three dramatic genres to emerge there. Athens exported the festival to its numerous colonies and allies in order to promote a common cultural identity.

Answers to Greek Theatre - #1

• Religion was very important in many parts of Greek theatre:– Most of the plays employed ceremonies and

rituals into the drama– This help form the Greek plays, most of which

were tragedy – These rituals and ceremonies have shaped

drama to this day

#2

• Dionysus– Greek god of pleasure, wine, fertility

#3

• The celebration that took place in the City of Dionysus:– Week long festival and competitions– Involved feasts, plays, rituals, food, drinking,

dancing, worship– Thousands attended– At times the celebration got out of hand and

bordered on riotous .

#4

#5

• Sets were not made, to save time / resources, the fact that they were in a location was mentioned in dialogue.

• Other events in the play were referred to and again mentioned on stage or proof of it mentioned brought out on stage.

• The Greek theatre was not meant to be realistic or representational

#6

• Greek writers– Aeschylus (tragedy / Drama)– Sophocles (tragedy / Drama)– Euripides (tragedy / Drama)– Astrophanes (comedy)

#7

• Greek Tragedy Characteristics– Prologue / introduction – background info

given– 5 episodes per play– Each episode divided by the chorus (singing /

dancing)

#8

• Problems with performing Greek Plays– Outdoors (weather conditions)– Volume levels (actors’ voice / audience

hearing)• Made following the plot difficult

– Costume details hard to see

#9

• Greek Style– MASKS– COSTUMES– ACTING

#10

• Chorus– Their roles was to:

• divide the episodes of the play• give advice and express opinions about the action

of the characters• reflect audience feelings• Add excitement, mood and drama• On stage at all times

Part B

• NUMBER 1