Outline Intro Structure of Greek Plays Performance not “Naturalistic” Theater as Part of Religious Festival Role of Theater in Greek Society Themes of.
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Outline• Intro• Structure of Greek Plays• Performance not “Naturalistic”• Theater as Part of Religious Festival• Role of Theater in Greek Society• Themes of Greek Plays• “Oresteia”• “The Persians”• “The Trojan Women”• The Oedipus Cycle• Greek Comedy
Introduction
• Democratic Artform—Civic Event• Public artform to explore human nature and
civic issues• Only some plays remain
Highly Ritualized Structure of Greek Plays
• Origins: Dithyramb• Second actor added• Eventually Third Actor (All Men)• Starts with Introduction and Choral Ode• Interspersed with Dialogue
Theater Masks had exaggerated expression so people in the back could see what emotions they were expressing. They may have also had megaphones in them so the actors could be heard in back.
Performance not “Naturalistic”
• Almost no scenery• Heavy Mask• Heavy Robes• Relied on voices and highly ritualized
movements
Performance not “Naturalistic”
• Almost no scenery• Heavy Mask• Heavy Robes• Relied on voices and highly ritualized
movements• Not supposed to be “realistic”
Performance not “Naturalistic”
• Almost no scenery• Heavy Mask• Heavy Robes• Relied on voices and highly ritualized
movements• Not supposed to be “realistic”• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQOPFxuiaWQ
Theater as part of Religious Festival
• Festival for Dionysus• Dionysus
– God of wine, but also the god of social taboos– But also the force binding society together
Theater as part of Religious Festival
• Festival for Dionysus• Dionysus
– God of wine, but also the god of social taboos– But also the force binding society together
• Just a few days of the year
Theater as part of Religious Festival
• Festival for Dionysus• Dionysus
– God of wine, but also the god of social taboos– But also the force binding society together
• Just a few days of the year• Festival over three days
– One playwright each day– Trilogy and Satyr Play– Starts at Sunrise, goes all day
Theater as part of Religious Festival
• Festival for Dionysus• Dionysus
– God of wine, but also the god of social taboos– But also the force binding society together
• Just a few days of the year• Festival over three days
– One playwright each day– Trilogy and Satyr Play– Starts at Sunrise, goes all day
• Agon: Winning Playwright
Role of Theater in Greek Society
• Place for Transgression• Catharsis (“A purifying cleansing of the
emotions”)
Role of Theater in Greek Society
• Place for Transgression• Catharsis (“A purifying cleansing of the
emotions”)• Social Commentary
Themes in Greek Theater
• Agon– Antagonism between characters– Internal Strife– Competition between playwrights
Themes in Greek Theater
• Agon– Antagonism between characters– Internal Strife– Competition between playwrights
• Tragedy as Allegory– Allegory:
Themes in Greek Theater
• Agon– Antagonism between characters– Internal Strife– Competition between playwrights
• Tragedy as Allegory– Allegory: the expression by means of symbolic
fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations about human existence
Themes in Greek Theater
• Agon– Antagonism between characters– Internal Strife– Competition between playwrights
• Tragedy as Allegory– Allegory: the expression by means of symbolic
fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations about human existence
• Comedy as Satire– Satire:
Themes in Greek Theater• Agon
– Antagonism between characters– Internal Strife– Competition between playwrights
• Tragedy as Allegory– Allegory: the expression by means of symbolic
fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations about human existence
• Comedy as Satire– Satire: A literary work in which human vice or folly is
attacked through irony, derision, or wit.
Aeschylus
• (525-456)• Fought at Marathon, wanted that on
Tombstone rather than playwriting• first place at Dionysia an amazing 13 times
The Persians (472)
• NOT set in Mythical Era• Portrays Persians as Brave Men• Warnings about power
– Don’t give too much power to an autocrat
The Persians (472)
• NOT set in Mythical Era• Portrays Persians as Brave Men• Warnings about power
– Don’t give too much power to an autocrat– Don’t overextend your empire
Oresteia Trilogy (458)
• Agamemnon: Clytemnestra kills Agamemnon• The Libation Bearers: The kids, Orestes and
Electra get revenge
Oresteia Trilogy (458)
• Agamemnon: Clytemnestra kills Agamemnon• The Libation Bearers: The kids, Orestes and
Electra get revenge• The Eumenides: The Furies and the Oresteia
Oresteia: Themes and Historical Significance
• One Bad Thing Leads to Another• Agon: Internal Struggle
Oresteia: Themes and Historical Significance
• One Bad Thing Leads to Another• Agon: Internal Struggle• Blood Feud vs. Rule of Law
Oresteia: Themes and Historical Significance
• One Bad Thing Leads to Another• Agon: Internal Struggle• Blood Feud vs. Rule of Law• The Role of the Areopagus
Oresteia: Themes and Historical Significance
• One Bad Thing Leads to Another• Agon: Internal Struggle• Blood Feud vs. Rule of Law• The Role of the Areopagus
– Justification of crucial remaining role for Areopagus, judging Homicide Cases
Euripides’ The Trojan Women (415)
• Plot: Tragic Aftermath of the Trojan War• "How are ye blind, ye treaders down of cities,
ye that cast temples to desolation and lay waste tombs, the untrodden sanctuaries where lie the ancient dead; yourselves so soon to die!”
Euripides’ The Trojan Women (415)
• Plot: Tragic Aftermath of the Trojan War• "How are ye blind, ye treaders down of cities,
ye that cast temples to desolation and lay waste tombs, the untrodden sanctuaries where lie the ancient dead; yourselves so soon to die!”
• Who did the Athenians destroy just before 415?
Sophocles’ Oedipus Cycle
• Sophocles (~496-~405)• Not Performed as a trilogy.
– Oedipus the King (429)– Oedipus at Colonus (401) (written ~406)– Antigone (441)
• Epitomizes Tragedy’s use of Mythology, agonizing family discord, to make modern points
Oedipus the King (429)
• Background:– Tragic Story of Oedipus, fated to…kill his dad and
marry his mom
Oedipus the King (429)
• Background:– Tragic Story of Oedipus, fated to…kill his dad and
marry his mom– Laius, King of Thebes, abandons him
Oedipus the King (429)
• Background:– Tragic Story of Oedipus, fated to…kill his dad and
marry his mom– Laius, King of Thebes, abandons him– Raised in Corinth
Oedipus the King (429)
• Background:– Tragic Story of Oedipus, fated to…kill his dad and
marry his mom– Laius, King of Thebes, abandons him– Raised in Corinth– Oedipus gets away from his “parents” in Corinth
Oedipus the King (429)
• Background:– Tragic Story of Oedipus, fated to…kill his dad and
marry his mom– Laius, King of Thebes, abandons him– Raised in Corinth– Oedipus gets away from his “parents” in Corinth– Kills Laius at crossroads
Oedipus the King (429)
• Background:– Tragic Story of Oedipus, fated to…kill his dad and
marry his mom– Laius, King of Thebes, abandons him– Raised in Corinth– Oedipus gets away from his “parents” in Corinth– Kills Laius at crossroads– Solves riddle of Sphinx, marries Jocasta
Action of Oedipus the King
• Plague hits Thebes. – Other Plague around 429?
• Oracle says it’s cause Laius’ killer never found
Action of Oedipus the King
• Plague hits Thebes. – Other Plague around 429?
• Oracle says it’s cause Laius’ killer never found• Stop Searching Oedipus!
Action of Oedipus the King
• Plague hits Thebes. – Other Plague around 429?
• Oracle says it’s cause Laius’ killer never found• Stop Searching Oedipus!• Oedipus figures it out, Jocasta commits
suicide, Oedipus blinds self
Antigone (441)
• Painful Family Tensions• Polynices (son) dies after trying to take throne
from brother
Antigone (441)
• Painful Family Tensions• Polynices (son) dies after trying to take throne
from brother• Creon (brother-in-law) forbids burial
Antigone (441)
• Painful Family Tensions• Polynices (son) dies after trying to take throne
from brother• Creon (brother-in-law) forbids burial• Antigone buries him
Antigone (441)
• Painful Family Tensions• Polynices (son) dies after trying to take throne
from brother• Creon (brother-in-law) forbids burial• Antigone buries him• Sentenced to be buried alive
Antigone (441)
• Painful Family Tensions• Polynices (son) dies after trying to take throne
from brother• Creon (brother-in-law) forbids burial• Antigone buries him• Sentenced to be buried alive• Everybody dies…pretty much
Themes and Historical Significance of the Oedipus Cycle
• Agon: loyalty to Gods vs. loyalty to the state– Nomos vs. Physis
Themes and Historical Significance of the Oedipus Cycle
• Agon: loyalty to Gods vs. loyalty to the state– Nomos vs. Physis
• Oedipus and the Plague
Themes and Historical Significance of the Oedipus Cycle
• Agon: loyalty to Gods vs. loyalty to the state– Nomos vs. Physis
• Oedipus and the Plague• Warning vs. Arbitrary Power of the State
Themes and Historical Significance of the Oedipus Cycle
• Agon: loyalty to Gods vs. loyalty to the state– Nomos vs. Physis
• Oedipus and the Plague• Warning vs. Arbitrary Power of the State• Gender
Themes and Historical Significance of the Oedipus Cycle
• Agon: loyalty to Gods vs. loyalty to the state– Nomos vs. Physis
• Oedipus and the Plague• Warning vs. Arbitrary Power of the State• Gender
– Ismene: “we were born women, showing that we were not meant to fight with men”
Themes and Historical Significance of the Oedipus Cycle
• Agon: loyalty to Gods vs. loyalty to the state– Nomos vs. Physis
• Oedipus and the Plague• Warning vs. Arbitrary Power of the State• Gender
– Ismene: “we were born women, showing that we were not meant to fight with men”
– Antigone as “maculinized” hero
Aristophanes (448-380)
• Conservative• Critical of Democracy• Favored Peace with Sparta• Critical of Sophistry• Vulgar, obscene, described bodily functions,
sexual acts
The Knights (424)
• Rakes Cleon and democracy over the coals• Lord Demos has Two Slaves: Nicias and
Demosthenes
The Knights (424)
• Rakes Cleon and democracy over the coals• Lord Demos has Two Slaves: Nicias and
Demosthenes• Ruled over by cruel leathermonger (Cleon)
The Knights (424)
• Rakes Cleon and democracy over the coals• Lord Demos has Two Slaves: Nicias and
Demosthenes• Ruled over by cruel leathermonger (Cleon)• Nicias/Demosthenes get Sausage Seller to get
into bribery war with Leathermonger/Cleon
Other Aristophanes plays
• The Wasps (422): Philocleon is addicted to Law Courts
• Lysistrata (411): Sex Strike to stop the war• The Clouds (423): mocks Sophists and
Socrates
Old Comedy vs. New Comedy
• Old Comedy: Centered in the Polis, deals with politics and public figures
Old Comedy vs. New Comedy
• Old Comedy: Centered in the Polis, deals with politics and public figures
• New Comedy (4th Century): Takes place within the family/home
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