A. Athens, Greece B. 600 – 200 BC A. Thrace, Greece B. Cult arose that worshipped Dionysis, the god of fertility and procreation. C. Participants engaged.

Origins of Greek Drama

I. Origination

A. Athens, Greece

B. 600 – 200 BC

II. Cult of Dionysis

A. Thrace, GreeceB. Cult arose that worshipped Dionysis, the god of

fertility and procreation.C. Participants engaged in catharsis, which is a release

of emotion.D. The dithyramb was an essential part of the rites of

Dionysis and it means “choric hymn.”1. began as a religious ceremony2. in Athens, became a competitive subject at festivals3. eventually began to choose subjects from all periods of Greek

mythology stories in play form: drama4. formal lyrics eventually written for the dithyramb5. Thespis of Icaria added the protagonist who interacted with

the chorus (thespian comes from his name)

III. Chorus

A. group of about 15 B. choragus

1. leader of the chorus2. only one who could speak to the chorus and

the actors on stage

C. gives insight into the message of the play

D. represents the response of ordinary citizens to the action

IV. How Plays Were Performed

A. daytimeB. Actors wore

exaggerated masks and costumes to add to the spectacle.

C. Action moved to the stage as importance shifted from chorus to characters.

V. Amphitheatres

A. sat thousandsB. Amphitheatre derives

from the Greek word “theatron,” which refers to the wooden spectator stands.

C. orchestra – platform between the raised stage and the audience; where the chorus is situated

D. skene (scene) – long building at the base of the amphitheatre that served as a backdrop and dressing room

VI. Tragedy

A. from the Greek words tragos (goat) and ode (song)

B. intended to teach the right and wrong paths in life through the misfortune of the tragic hero

C. tragic protagonist (or hero) – refuses to give in to fate

D. traditional tragedy1. Prologue – describes situation2. Parados – beginning ode sung

by chorus 3. 5 dramatic scenes4. Exodus – climax and

conclusion E. comedy – other type of play in

which the protagonist learns the life lesson

VII. The Tragic Hero is…

of noble birth, meaning that he is royalty AND/OR has a noble disposition.

suffers a reversal of fortune, meaning that he has everything at one point in the play and then loses it.

recognizes the consequences of his actions.

has a tragic flaw, a defect in his character (i.e. hubris) that leads to his downfall.

The audience watches the actions of the tragic hero and is moved to pity and fear (catharsis).

VIII. Sophocles

A. wrote Oedipus the King, Antigone, and Oedipus at Colunus

B. emphasized drama between humans rather than between humans and gods

C. wrote more than 120 plays; only 7 remain