Greek TragedyGreek Tragedy

Structure of a Greek TragedyStructure of a Greek Tragedy

Prologue- Prologue- spoken by one or two spoken by one or two characters before the chorus characters before the chorus appears; usually gives the appears; usually gives the background information needed to background information needed to understand the events of the playunderstand the events of the play

Parodos-Parodos- the song sung by the the song sung by the chorus as it makes its entrancechorus as it makes its entrance

Episodes/scenes-Episodes/scenes- the main action the main action of the playof the play

Structure cont.Structure cont.Odes-Odes- songs (and often a dance) that songs (and often a dance) that

reflects on the events of the episodes reflects on the events of the episodes and weaves the plot into a cohesive and weaves the plot into a cohesive wholewhole

Choragos-Choragos- the leader of the chorus the leader of the chorus who often interacts with the who often interacts with the characters in the scenescharacters in the scenes

Chorus-Chorus- the singers/dancers who the singers/dancers who remark on the actionremark on the action

Supernumeraries-Supernumeraries- extras with no extras with no speaking parts speaking parts

Odes cont.Odes cont.

Strophe-Strophe- the movement of the chorus the movement of the chorus from right to left across the stagefrom right to left across the stage

Antistrophe-Antistrophe- the reaction to the the reaction to the strophe, which moves across the stage strophe, which moves across the stage from left to rightfrom left to right

Structure cont.Structure cont.Paean-Paean- a prayer of thanksgiving to a prayer of thanksgiving to

Dionysus in whose honor the Greek Dionysus in whose honor the Greek plays were performedplays were performed

Exodus-Exodus- sung by the chorus as it sung by the chorus as it makes its final exit, which usually makes its final exit, which usually offers words of wisdom related to the offers words of wisdom related to the actions and outcomes of the playactions and outcomes of the play

Epilogos-Epilogos- (epilogue) within the (epilogue) within the exodus and usually directed to the exodus and usually directed to the audience at the end with a lesson or audience at the end with a lesson or messagemessage

• Drama originated from religious ceremonies: • main feature of the religious

festivals given in honor of Dionysus

• Contests were held and the greatest poet-dramatists submitted plays for performance

Origins of DramaOrigins of Drama

• After work, people of Greece After work, people of Greece sang and danced in a circle to sang and danced in a circle to worship their gods.worship their gods.

• These circle dances became the These circle dances became the dithyrambdithyramb, a religious ritual , a religious ritual performed by a chorus of men performed by a chorus of men wearing masks.wearing masks.

• Special arenas were built at the Special arenas were built at the base of the hills for the base of the hills for the dithyramb.dithyramb.

Origins of DramaOrigins of Drama

Greek TheatreGreek Theatre

Dionysus- Dionysus- the Greek god of wine the Greek god of wine and fertility and rebirth; theatrical and fertility and rebirth; theatrical performances were originally performances were originally religious ceremonies in honor of religious ceremonies in honor of Dionysus.Dionysus.

The Dionysia-The Dionysia- the name of the the name of the annual festival held in honor of annual festival held in honor of DionysusDionysus

Key Figures in Greek TheatreKey Figures in Greek Theatre

Thespis-Thespis- credited as the “father of credited as the “father of drama” and first prize winner at the drama” and first prize winner at the Great Dionysia in 534 B.C.Great Dionysia in 534 B.C.

He introduced the concept of the He introduced the concept of the independent actor (thus why actors independent actor (thus why actors are called “thespians”) as opposed to are called “thespians”) as opposed to the choirthe choir

Introduced the use of masks, make Introduced the use of masks, make up and costumes so the actor could up and costumes so the actor could play several rolesplay several roles

Three Great Greek Three Great Greek Tragedians Tragedians

Aeschylus Aeschylus (525-456 B.C.)- credited as the (525-456 B.C.)- credited as the man who first increased the number of the man who first increased the number of the actors from one to two and with reducing actors from one to two and with reducing the role of the chorus, putting emphasis the role of the chorus, putting emphasis on dialogue on dialogue

EuripidesEuripides (480-406 B.C.)- was less formal (480-406 B.C.)- was less formal and wrote about the underdog; reduced and wrote about the underdog; reduced participation of chorus in main action; participation of chorus in main action; relied heavily on prologues; relied heavily on prologues; Medea Medea is his is his most famous playmost famous play

Sophocles (496-406 B.C.)Sophocles (496-406 B.C.)

Born into a wealthy family at Colonus Born into a wealthy family at Colonus (outside of Athens)(outside of Athens)

Had an auspicious education Had an auspicious education Incredibly popular and eminent in his Incredibly popular and eminent in his

time and was often elected for time and was often elected for positions he didn’t necessarily wantpositions he didn’t necessarily want

Prolific writer of over 120 plays but Prolific writer of over 120 plays but only 7 remainonly 7 remain

Sophocles cont.Sophocles cont.

Won first prize at the Great Dionysia Won first prize at the Great Dionysia 18 times18 times

Added a third actor in the late 5Added a third actor in the late 5thth centurycentury

Fixed number of chorus members to Fixed number of chorus members to fifteen fifteen

Introduced painted sceneryIntroduced painted sceneryEvidently pretty darn good looking too!Evidently pretty darn good looking too!

Sophocles’ PlaysSophocles’ Plays

AjaxAjax 445 B.C. 445 B.C.Antigone Antigone 440 B.C.440 B.C.Electra Electra 440 B.C.440 B.C.Oedipus Rex Oedipus Rex B.C. 430 B.C.B.C. 430 B.C.The TrachiniaeThe Trachiniae 413 B.C. 413 B.C.Philoctetes Philoctetes 410 B.C.410 B.C.Oedipus at ColonusOedipus at Colonus 401 B.C. 401 B.C.

Greek Theatre TermsGreek Theatre Terms

Satyr-Satyr- commonly confused with commonly confused with “satire”; had to be mastered by “satire”; had to be mastered by tragedians and was comprised of the tragedians and was comprised of the following elements:following elements:

Chorus- half-man, half- beast- satyrs, Chorus- half-man, half- beast- satyrs, companions of Dionysuscompanions of Dionysus

Burlesque of mythology ridiculing gods Burlesque of mythology ridiculing gods or heroesor heroes

Everyday and colloquial languageEveryday and colloquial language Short after-pieces to tragediesShort after-pieces to tragedies

Structure of Greek Structure of Greek TheaterTheater

• theatron – theatron – where the audience satwhere the audience sat• orchestra – orchestra – circular dancing place circular dancing place

where actors and chorus performedwhere actors and chorus performed• thymele – thymele – altar to Dionysus in center altar to Dionysus in center

of orchestraof orchestra• skene – skene – building used as a dressing building used as a dressing

roomroom• proskenion – proskenion – façade of skene building façade of skene building

which served as backdropwhich served as backdrop• parados – parados – entrance to the theater used entrance to the theater used

by the chorusby the chorus

Structure of Greek Structure of Greek TheaterTheater

Ancient Theatre at Mt. EtnaAncient Theatre at Mt. Etna

Hypocrites – the answererHypocrites – the answerer• 11stst “dramas” (Thespis) – actor “dramas” (Thespis) – actor

and playwright were originally and playwright were originally the samethe same

• playwright took leading roleplaywright took leading role• never had more than three never had more than three

actors playing all rolesactors playing all roles• all male performersall male performers

Actors and ActingActors and Acting

Costumes and Masks:Costumes and Masks:• long, flowing robes – colored long, flowing robes – colored

symbolicallysymbolically• high boots, often with raised soles high boots, often with raised soles

(heroic parts)(heroic parts)• larger-than-life masks made of linen, larger-than-life masks made of linen,

wood, and corkwood, and cork• Identified age, gender, emotionIdentified age, gender, emotion• Exaggerated features – large eyes, Exaggerated features – large eyes,

open mouthopen mouth

Actors and ActingActors and Acting

• Tragedy – play in which main Tragedy – play in which main character, tragic hero, suffers a character, tragic hero, suffers a downfall. downfall.

• Tragic hero – character whose Tragic hero – character whose downfall is brought about by a downfall is brought about by a flaw within his/her own character. flaw within his/her own character. neither totally good nor totally evilneither totally good nor totally evilusually of high birth (not a usually of high birth (not a

commoner)commoner)Arete- inborn capacities Arete- inborn capacities

Elements of Greek Elements of Greek TragedyTragedy

• peripetia peripetia – – reversalreversal of fortune of fortune• nemesis – nemesis – fatefate that cannot be that cannot be

escaped; in Greek mythology, escaped; in Greek mythology, NemesisNemesis is the goddess of is the goddess of retributive justice of vengeanceretributive justice of vengeance

• catharsiscatharsis – – purgation of emotions of purgation of emotions of pity and fear which leaves the viewer pity and fear which leaves the viewer both relieved and elated (part of both relieved and elated (part of recognition)recognition)

Elements of Greek Elements of Greek TragedyTragedy

Elements of Greek Elements of Greek TragedyTragedy

Reversal-Reversal-when a character produces when a character produces an unintended effect and things go an unintended effect and things go from bad to worsefrom bad to worse

CatastropheCatastrophe- the final resolution in - the final resolution in the plot where the protagonist the plot where the protagonist undergoes a change of fortuneundergoes a change of fortune

RecognitionRecognition- a discovery on the part - a discovery on the part of the protagonist; a change from of the protagonist; a change from ignorance to knowledge (catharsis)ignorance to knowledge (catharsis)

Aristotle’s Aristotle’s PoeticsPoetics and the Six and the Six Elements of TragedyElements of Tragedy

I.I. PlotPlot- how the action is arranged- how the action is arrangedA.A. TragedyTragedy- a play with a serious theme - a play with a serious theme

that usually ends unhappily for the main that usually ends unhappily for the main character set in motion by some tragic character set in motion by some tragic flaw in his/her personality (hamartia); flaw in his/her personality (hamartia); intended to arouse emotions of pity and intended to arouse emotions of pity and fear; violence often described but not fear; violence often described but not enacted on stageenacted on stage

B.B. HubrisHubris- arrogance demonstrated by a - arrogance demonstrated by a character as a result of his/her pride or character as a result of his/her pride or passionpassion

Elements of Plot cont.Elements of Plot cont.

C. C. Foreshadowing-Foreshadowing- clues as the what will clues as the what will probably happen later in the playprobably happen later in the play

D.D. Climax- Climax- the highest point of emotional the highest point of emotional tension or the turning point of the plottension or the turning point of the plot

E. E. Catharsis-Catharsis- the purification of a the purification of a character’s emotions and/or the relief of character’s emotions and/or the relief of emotional tensionemotional tension

F. F. Denouement-Denouement- the resolution of the main the resolution of the main conflict (not usually a happy outcome for conflict (not usually a happy outcome for the main character)the main character)

Six Elements of Tragedy cont.Six Elements of Tragedy cont.

II. II. Characters-Characters- the people in the play the people in the playIII. III. Theme-Theme- the main idea or message the main idea or message

as the central focusas the central focusIV. IV. Language/Diction-Language/Diction- the words the words

spoken or sung by the charactersspoken or sung by the charactersV. V. Music-Music- the odes sung by the chorus the odes sung by the chorus

and choragus (in Greek Tragedy)and choragus (in Greek Tragedy)VI. VI. Spectacle-Spectacle- the scenes, props, the scenes, props,

costumes, masks…all things visualcostumes, masks…all things visual

Freytag’s Pyramid Freytag’s Pyramid (Dramatic Structure)(Dramatic Structure)

• Oedipus Rex – Oedipus Rex – • The story of Oedipus’ birth, his The story of Oedipus’ birth, his

upbringing, his marriage (to upbringing, his marriage (to his mother, unbeknownst to his mother, unbeknownst to either bride or groom), their 4 either bride or groom), their 4 children, and how they learn of children, and how they learn of and deal with their incest.and deal with their incest.

The Oedipal TrilogyThe Oedipal Trilogy

• Oedipus at ColunusOedipus at Colunus• The continuation of Oedipus’ The continuation of Oedipus’

life once he goes into his self-life once he goes into his self-imposed exile, with his dutiful imposed exile, with his dutiful daughter, Antigone, at his side.daughter, Antigone, at his side.

• His two sons battle each other His two sons battle each other for control of Thebes.for control of Thebes.

The Oedipal TrilogyThe Oedipal Trilogy

• AntigoneAntigone• The final piece (but the first The final piece (but the first

play actually written) of the play actually written) of the story of the line of Oedipus. story of the line of Oedipus. This tells of the aftermath of This tells of the aftermath of the battle between the the battle between the brothers, Seven Against brothers, Seven Against Thebes, and how the remaining Thebes, and how the remaining family members proceed.family members proceed.

The Oedipal TrilogyThe Oedipal Trilogy

The Riddle of the SphinxThe Riddle of the Sphinx In Greek mythology, the Sphinx sat outside of Thebes and In Greek mythology, the Sphinx sat outside of Thebes and

asked this riddle of all travelers who passed by. If the asked this riddle of all travelers who passed by. If the traveler failed to solve the riddle, then the Sphinx killed traveler failed to solve the riddle, then the Sphinx killed him/her. And if the traveler answered the riddle correctly, him/her. And if the traveler answered the riddle correctly, then the Sphinx would destroy herself. then the Sphinx would destroy herself.

The riddle: What goes on four legs in the morning, on two The riddle: What goes on four legs in the morning, on two legs at noon, and on three legs in the evening?legs at noon, and on three legs in the evening?

Oedipus solved the riddle, and the Sphinx destroyed Oedipus solved the riddle, and the Sphinx destroyed herself.herself.

The solution:The solution: A man, who crawls on all fours as a baby, A man, who crawls on all fours as a baby, walks on two legs as an adult, and walks with a cane in old walks on two legs as an adult, and walks with a cane in old age.age.

Of course morning, noon, and night are metaphors for the Of course morning, noon, and night are metaphors for the times in a man's (person's) life. Such metaphors are times in a man's (person's) life. Such metaphors are common in riddles. There were two Thebes, apparently this common in riddles. There were two Thebes, apparently this Thebes was the one in Greece. And this Sphinx was Thebes was the one in Greece. And this Sphinx was apparently not the one at Giza, in Egypt.apparently not the one at Giza, in Egypt.

Oedipus and the SphinxOedipus and the Sphinx