Ancient Greek Theatre Project

Ancient Greek Theatre Project

As preparation for reading Sophocles’ play Antigone, the Women in Literature students attended the Queensborough Community College performance of his play, Oedipus Rex.

To further understand the Ancient Greek Theatre, students chose specific topics related to the time and the theatre.

Requirements

Students followed the directions for the Project from the Hillcrest High School English Department web site.

Students received instruction through the Internet and email.

Students used APA documentation for their PowerPoint Presentations.

Ancient Greek Theatre Project

The removal of student names complies with the IAUP.

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Ancient Greek TheatreAncient Greek Theatre

The origins of Greek TheatreThe origins of Greek Theatre

Flourished in ancient Flourished in ancient Greece between c.600 and c. Greece between c.600 and c. 200 BC200 BC

Theatre started in the city Theatre started in the city state of Athens.state of Athens.

Athenian tragedy, comedy, Athenian tragedy, comedy, and satire were some of the and satire were some of the earliest theatrical forms to earliest theatrical forms to emerge in the world.emerge in the world.

What drove Theatre to What drove Theatre to evolve were the political evolve were the political and military powers in and military powers in Greece.Greece.

With this Theatre got more With this Theatre got more topics and scenarios to act topics and scenarios to act out.out.

Athenian drama occurred at Athenian drama occurred at the Dionysia, an annual the Dionysia, an annual festival honoring Dionysus. festival honoring Dionysus.

Greek Theatre Greek Theatre

In some Greek plays In some Greek plays men were selected to men were selected to play both female and play both female and male roles.male roles.

Like in this picture from Like in this picture from the cast of dionysia the cast of dionysia there were only male there were only male cast memberscast members

A Better view of Greek TheatreA Better view of Greek Theatre

Greek Theatre buildings were called a Greek Theatre buildings were called a Theatron.Theatron.

Panoramic view of the Greek theater at Epidaurus

Symbols used in Greek TheatreSymbols used in Greek Theatre

These two masks are These two masks are the symbols for theater. the symbols for theater. They represent the They represent the comedy and tragedy comedy and tragedy masks that were worn in masks that were worn in ancient Greece - during ancient Greece - during the golden age, around the golden age, around 500 - 300 BC. They also 500 - 300 BC. They also represent duality. represent duality.

The theater of Dionysus, Athens The theater of Dionysus, Athens (Saskia, Ltd.) (Saskia, Ltd.)

References

Buckham, Philip Wentworth. (n.d.). Greek theater. Rerieved May 14, 2006, from http://www.crystalinks

.com/greektheater.html

Englert, Walter. (n.d.) Greek theater for Hum110 Tech. http://academic.reed.edu/humanities/110Tech/

Theater.html//

Greek Theater. (2006). Retrieved May 13, 2006, from http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://

historylink101.net/greek_images/greek-theater-10.jpg&imgrefurl=http://historylink101.net/greece1/

pic_greektheater.htm&h=216&w=324&sz=26&tbnid=Q3nsnWLvm1RVXM:&tbnh=76&tbnw=114&hl=

en&start=6&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dgreek%2Btheater%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D

DionysusDionysus

Dionysus? Dionysus?

Who Was He?Who Was He?

Dionysus was the son of Zeus and Semele.Dionysus was the son of Zeus and Semele.

• Dionysus was the Thracian god of wine.Dionysus was the Thracian god of wine.

• Dionysus was also known as Bacchus in Greek and Dionysus was also known as Bacchus in Greek and roman mythology.roman mythology.

• Dionysus not only represented wine, but also the Dionysus not only represented wine, but also the social influences of it. social influences of it.

• Dionysus was seen as the promoter of civilization, Dionysus was seen as the promoter of civilization, a lawgiver, and a lover of peace.a lawgiver, and a lover of peace.

What Did He Do?What Did He Do?

Dionysus did many things for a god who represented Dionysus did many things for a god who represented wine.wine.

He rescued Ariadne after Theseus abandoned her.He rescued Ariadne after Theseus abandoned her.

Dionysus also saved his mother from the Dionysus also saved his mother from the underworld after his father showed her his true underworld after his father showed her his true nature as the storm god.nature as the storm god.

Dionysus was the god who gave Midas his golden Dionysus was the god who gave Midas his golden touch and also was kind enough to take away this touch and also was kind enough to take away this power when it was proven to be useless and power when it was proven to be useless and problematic.problematic.

CHILDHOOD CHILDHOOD Zeus put the rain nymphs of nysa in charge of raising Zeus put the rain nymphs of nysa in charge of raising

Dionysus when he was a baby.Dionysus when he was a baby.

Dionysus was also raised by Maro a priest of Apollo. Dionysus was also raised by Maro a priest of Apollo.

While Dionysus was young, he disguised himself as a mortal While Dionysus was young, he disguised himself as a mortal on a ship. Sailors tried to kidnap Dionysus, but failed on a ship. Sailors tried to kidnap Dionysus, but failed because he turned them into dolphins.because he turned them into dolphins.

In another similar story, Dionysus hired pirates to take him In another similar story, Dionysus hired pirates to take him to Naxos from Icaria. The pirates instead took him to Asia to Naxos from Icaria. The pirates instead took him to Asia planning on selling Dionysus as a slave. Dionysus turned planning on selling Dionysus as a slave. Dionysus turned the pirates into dolphins when he realized what was the pirates into dolphins when he realized what was happening.happening.

References

BBC – Religion & Ethics (7/22/2004). Dionysus. Retrieved May 17, 2006 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/

religion/religions/features/greek_gods/dionysus.shtml

Dionysus. (n.d.) Retrieved May 15, 2006 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dionysus#References

Johnson, William A. (November 27, 2003). Euripides' Bacchae. Retrieved May 12, 2006 from

http://classics.uc.edu/~johnson/tragedy/bacchae.html

Skidmore, Joel. (1993). Greek Mythology. Retrieved May 22, 2006 from http://www.mythweb.

com/gods/Dionysus.html

Tau, Apiryon and Helena (1995). The Invisible Basilica: Dionysus. Retrieved May 15, 2006 from

http://www.hermetic.com/sabazius/dionysus.htm

Greek Theater Greek Theater MasksMasks

History of the Masks In History of the Masks In Ancient Greek TheaterAncient Greek Theater

Thespis was the first writer, in the Ancient Greek Thespis was the first writer, in the Ancient Greek theater, who used masks.theater, who used masks.

The members of the chorus wore masks, usually The members of the chorus wore masks, usually

similar masks but completely different from the similar masks but completely different from the

leading actors.leading actors. The actors were all men, the mask was therefore The actors were all men, the mask was therefore

necessary to let them play the female roles. necessary to let them play the female roles.

History of the Masks In History of the Masks In Ancient Greek TheaterAncient Greek Theater

Historians claimed that the masks had one more Historians claimed that the masks had one more significance by adding resonance to the voice of significance by adding resonance to the voice of an actor so that everyone in the huge ancient an actor so that everyone in the huge ancient theater could hear him.theater could hear him.

The masks would give the character some sort of The masks would give the character some sort of universality, creating an average figure, so that universality, creating an average figure, so that the audience would judge him on his actions and the audience would judge him on his actions and not his appearance. not his appearance.

OOrigin of Masksrigin of Masks

Mostly, the masks were made of linen, wood, or leather. Mostly, the masks were made of linen, wood, or leather.

A marble or stone face was used as a mould for the A marble or stone face was used as a mould for the mask.mask.

Human or animal hair was also used. Human or animal hair was also used.

The eyes were fully drawn but in the place of the pupil The eyes were fully drawn but in the place of the pupil of the eye was a small hole so that the actor could see. of the eye was a small hole so that the actor could see.

ReferencesReferences

Englert, Walter. (n.d.). Englert, Walter. (n.d.). Greek Theater MasksGreek Theater Masks. Retrieved May 8, . Retrieved May 8,

2006, 2006, from from

http://academic.reed.edu/humanities/110Tech/Theater.html#Theatehttp://academic.reed.edu/humanities/110Tech/Theater.html#Theate

rs rs

Karayannakos, Elias . (n.d.). Karayannakos, Elias . (n.d.). Greek Theater MasksGreek Theater Masks. Retrieved . Retrieved

May 10, May 10, 2006, from 2006, from

http://users.panafonet.gr/ekar/masks.html http://users.panafonet.gr/ekar/masks.html

Masks of Masks of Ancient Greek Ancient Greek

TheaterTheater

History • Masks were used in Greek Theater to

show originality in their performances.

• The first writer who used masks was Thespis.

• The masks were made of linen wood or leather. Marble was also used to mold the masks.

• Human and animal hair was used and the eyes were drawn to the size of the pupil so the actors were able to see.

Masks of Tragedy and Masks of Tragedy and ComedyComedy

The two masks below represent the The two masks below represent the symbols of theater. The mask on the left symbols of theater. The mask on the left represents comedy and the other on the represents comedy and the other on the right represents tragedy. right represents tragedy.

ImagesImages

References

Buckham, Philip Wentworth. (1827). Theatre of the Greeks. Retrieved May 17, 2006, from

www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Greek_theatre

Davidson , J.A (1965). The Origins and Early Forms of Greek Tragedy. Retrieved May17,2006, from

www.crystalinks.com/greektheater.html

Haigh A.E, (1907). The Attic Theatre. Retrieved May 18, 2006, from www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Greek_theatre

Lesky. (1965). A Greek Tragedy, Dithyramb, Tragedy, and Comedy). Retrieved May 18, 2006, from www.reference.com/

browse/wiki/Greek_theatre

Ridgeway, William. (1910). Origin of Tragedy with the Greek Tragedians. Retrieved May 18, 2006, from www.reference.com/

Greek_theatre/References

Riu, Xavier. (1999). Dionysism and Comedy. Retrieved May 18,2006, from www.crystalinks.com/greektheater.html

Ancient Greek Ancient Greek DramaDrama

Birth of Greek DramaBirth of Greek Drama

About two thousands years before About two thousands years before Shakespeare Greek Drama was born Shakespeare Greek Drama was born in Athens, Greece. Between the years in Athens, Greece. Between the years of 600 to 200 B.C. Athenians made a of 600 to 200 B.C. Athenians made a type of culture where technique, form, type of culture where technique, form, and terminology was used and lasted and terminology was used and lasted approximately two millennia. They approximately two millennia. They created plays that are considered to created plays that are considered to be some of the greatest works of art.be some of the greatest works of art.

The BIG Start !The BIG Start ! Around 600 B.C. Around 600 B.C.

Greece was split into Greece was split into city-states. The most city-states. The most populated and famous populated and famous city-state was Athens city-state was Athens where more then where more then 150,000 people lived. It 150,000 people lived. It was in Athens where was in Athens where the Rites of Dionysus the Rites of Dionysus evolved into theater. evolved into theater. And Athens is the place And Athens is the place where Greek Drama where Greek Drama hits its golden era. hits its golden era.

Every Drama Needs Tragedy !Every Drama Needs Tragedy !

Between 600 and 500 Between 600 and 500 B.C. the B.C. the dithyrambdithyramb had had evolved into new evolved into new forms, most notably forms, most notably the tragedy. Greek the tragedy. Greek tragedy usually told a tragedy usually told a story that was story that was indirectly used to indirectly used to teach religious lessons. teach religious lessons. Tragedies back then Tragedies back then weren't plays with bad weren't plays with bad endings. Tragedy in the endings. Tragedy in the Greek drama was a Greek drama was a form of ritual form of ritual purification.purification.

Laugh Out LoudLaugh Out Loud

Tragedy was not what Tragedy was not what Greek drama only Greek drama only offered. Obviously, offered. Obviously, people would get bored people would get bored with all tragedy. People with all tragedy. People back then also needed back then also needed to laugh. There were to laugh. There were comedies such as an comedies such as an orphan out of nowhere orphan out of nowhere suddenly has many suddenly has many fathers to claim him.fathers to claim him.

Greek ComedyGreek Comedy The Warriors, in 'Lysistrata': The Warriors, in 'Lysistrata':

First SpeakerFirst Speaker: For through man's heart there : For through man's heart there runs in flood A natural and noble taste for runs in flood A natural and noble taste for blood-blood-

Second SpeakerSecond Speaker: To form a ring and fight—: To form a ring and fight— Third SpeakerThird Speaker: To cut off heads at sight– : To cut off heads at sight–

All in UnisonAll in Unison: It is our right! : It is our right! Youth... Come, listen now to the good old Youth... Come, listen now to the good old

days when children, strange to tell, were days when children, strange to tell, were seen not heard, led a simple life, in short seen not heard, led a simple life, in short were brought up well. were brought up well.

References

Gottfried Eggenhofer. (1999, January). Mask of comedy. Retrieved on May 11, 2006, from

http://schulen.asn noe.ac.at/hskautzen/projekte/greece/theatre/theatre.htm

Members of tripod. (2004, May). Ancient Greek Theater. Retrieved on May 9,2006, from

http://anarchon.tripod.com/indexGREEKTH.html

Spiros Tzelepis. (n.d.). Ancient theatre of Epidauros. Retrieved on 5/10/06, from

http://users.otenet.gr/~tzelepisk/yc/art5.htm

University of Victoria and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

(n.d.) Greek Tragedy. Retrieved on 5/13/06. from http://ise.uvic.ca/Library/SLT/

drama/greektragedy.html

CHORAL ODES

In plays with tragedies, they have choral odes, this chorus would chant rhythmically. The chorus would walk back and forth across the stage chanting religious hymns.

They are viewed as one, not individuals.

The chorus was especially dominant.

They have approximately 50 singing and dancing members.

Tragedy came to be composed of episodes separated by choral odes.

COMIC CHORUSES

The functions of the comic chorus remain the same as those of the tragic chorus, to sing and dance choral odes and engage in dialogue with the actors.

The comic chorus had 24 members compared with the 15 member tragic chorus.

The comic chorus often had to impersonate non-human characters.

THE CHORUS

Offered background and summary information to help the audience follow the performance.

Commented on main themes, and showed how an ideal audience might react to the drama as it was presented.

Represented the general populace of any particular story. The chorus usually communicated in song form, but sometimes the message was spoken.

GREEK CHORUS The chorus (choros) is believed to have grown out of the Greek dithyrambs (dĭth'ĭrăm), in ancient Greece, which is a hymn to the god Dionysus, a choral lyric with exchanges between the leader and the chorus.

It arose, probably, in the extemporaneous songs of the Dionysiac festivals and was developed into the literary form to be found.

In its later development by such poets as Philoxenus and Timotheus, it became freer in its meter and more musical. The tragedy seems to have come out of the dithyramb.

The dithyramb was also cultivated after tragedy was invented.

It was also believed to be grown out of the tragikon drama a company of actors who comment (by speaking or singing in unison) on the action in a classical Greek play.

The chorus provided time for scene changes and gave the principle actors a break.

They offered important background and summary information that facilitates an audience's ability to follow the live performance.

They also offered commentary about and underline main themes animating the action.

They were also there to model an ideal audiences response to the unfolding drama.

They also represent the general populace of any particular story. The chorus usually communicated in song form, but sometimes the message was spoken. It was the playwright's job to choreograph the chorus.

IMPORTANCE OF THE GREEK CHORUS

GREEK CHORUSES

Encarta.com (n.d.). Greek chorus Retrieved May 15, 2006, from http://encarta

.msn.com 1997-2006 Microsoft Corporation. 1993-2006

Greek chorus. (May 8, 2006). Retrieved May 14, 2006, from http://en.wikipedia

.org/wiki/Greek_chorus

Intro. to Greek Tragedy. (n.d.). Greek chorus. Retrieved May 16, 2006, from

http://ablemedia.com/ctcweb/netshots/tragedy.htm

Tragic Basics. (n.d.). Greek chorus. Retrieved May 16, 2006, from http://

www.siu.edu/~dfll/classics/Johnson/Greeks/Lectures/Tragic%20basics.htm

REFERENCES

Ancient Greek Arts Festival

Comedy

Old Comedy☺ In Ancient Greek theater there were many different types of comedy.

☺ The Greeks produced lasting comedy in two periods: Old Comedy represented by Cratinus and Aristophanes and New comedy whose exponents was Menander.

☺ They presented there work at the Athenian festivals. There were three actors, a chorus that sung, danced, and participated in the dialogue.

☺ Comedy seemed to have sprung into being at the vintage-festival of the Greek villagers, when all was jovial gaiety and jesting license in honor of Dionysus. ☺ “The common mood, whether joy or sorrow, is often communicated even to those who were originally possessed by the opposite feeling and so powerful is infection of excitement that a sober man will join in the antics of his drunken comrades--yielding to a drunkenness by induction.“ ☺ These seasons of contagious revelry were exactly suited to a development of the double desire of mankind for personation--one man seeking to get outside of his own individuality and to assume a character not his own, while another finds his satisfaction rather in the observation of this simulation, in being a sympathetic spectator when actions are represented not proper to the actor's own character.

More Old Comedy ☺ These seasons of contagious revelry were exactly suited

to a development of the double desire of mankind for personation--one man seeking to get outside of his own individuality and to assume a character not his own, while another finds his satisfaction rather in the observation of this simulation, in being a sympathetic spectator when actions are represented not proper to the actor's own character

☺ Comedy seemed to have sprung into being at the vintage-festival of the Greek villagers, when all was jovial gaiety and jesting license in honor of Dionysus. ☺ “The common mood, whether joy or sorrow, is often communicated even to those who were originally possessed by the opposite feeling and so powerful is infection of excitement that a sober man will join in the antics of his drunken comrades--yielding to a drunkenness by induction.“

New Comedy

Comedy was aimed to common people that weren’t concerned with religious origins.

Menander’s main contribution was to create a comedy model that

influenced later comedy.

New Comedy provided the model for European comedy through the 18th century.

Classical comedy was brought up to date in the plays of the “Christian Terence,” imitations by schoolmasters of the comedies of the Roman dramatist.

More New Comedy

They added a contemporary flavor to the life portrayed and displayed a somewhat less indulgent attitude to youthful indiscretions than did the Roman comedy.

New Comedy provided the basic conventions of plot and

characterization for the comedy performed from written texts of 16th-century Italy, as in the plays of Machiavelli.

Greek tragedies and comedies were always performed in outdoor theater were probably little more than open areas in city centers or next to hillsides where the audience, standing or sitting, where the people can listen to the singing.

From the late 6th century BC to the 4th and 3rd centuries BC there was a gradual evolution towards more elaborate theater structures, but the basic layout of the Greek theater remained the same.

References

Image. (2005). Retrieved May 13, 2006, from www.ancientsculpturegallery.com/ 107.html

Dunkle, Roger. (1986, March). Chorus. Retrieved May 12, 2006, from http://depthome.brooklyn

.cuny.edu/classics/dunkle/studyguide/tragedy.htm

Elias, Karayannakos. (2000, January). Masks. Retrieved May 12, 2006, from

http://users.panafonet.gr/ekar/masks.html

Trumbull, W. Eric Dr., Professor, Theatre/Speech. (February 21, 1998).Chorus. Retrieved May 12,

2006, from http://novaonline.nvcc.edu/eli/spd130et/ancientgreek.htm

SophoclesA Greek Tragedian

The Beginnings of Sophocles

•Born in 496-405 B.C. in Colonus•Son of a wealthy merchant•Destined to be a famous and well known

playwright of the golden age•Not only was Sophocles to be a

playwright he was also known as a priest who introduced the cult of Asclepius to Athens

•From a tender age he was known to be a graceful and kind person

The Start of his Career

• Sophocles enters the local playwright competition and brings home the first place prize.

•More than writing his own plays, he sometimes acted in them as well.

•Some of the plays he wrote and star in were…

Plays by Sophocles

• Nausicaa• The Women Washing Clothes• Electra • Oedipus at Colonus • The Women of Trachis• Antigone• Oedipus the King• Out of the many 120 plays that Sophocles

wrote only a handful of them lasted• Shortly after the production of Oedipus at

Colonus, he passed in 405

LLC., Jalic (2003). Author Biographies. Retrieved May 12, 2006, from

http://www.online-literature.com/sophocles

Sophocles and his Tragedies. (2002) Retrieved May 12, 2006 from

http://www.

theatrehistory.com/ancient/bates022.html

References

ELL2-02

Women in LiteratureEnglish Elective 6th PeriodInstructor: Ms. L. Sirsky

Uploaded June 6, 2006Hillcrest High School English DepartmentMs. Sirsky, Webmaster