Greek Theatre Presentation

• 1. GREEK THEATRE

2. The modernword dramacomes form theGreek word dranmeaning "to do" 3. The earliest origins ofdrama are ancient hymns,called dithyrambs. Thesewere sung in honor of thegod Dionysus. Thesehymns were later adaptedfor choral processions inwhich participants woulddress up in costumes andmasks. 4. Dithyrambs: a poem, chant, or hymnof ancient Greece sungby revelers at the festivalin honor of the godDionysus 5. Greek tragedies and comedies were always performedin outdoor theatres. Early Greek theatres were probably little more thanopen areas in city centers or next to hillsides where theaudience, standing or sitting, could watch and listen tothe chorus singing about the exploits of a god or hero. From the late 6th century BC to the 4th and 3rdcenturies BC there was a gradual evolution towardsmore elaborate theatre structures, but the basic layoutof the Greek theatre remained the same 6. Orchestra: (literally, "dancing space") A circular and levelspace where the chorus would dance, sing, and interact withthe actors who were on the stage near the skene. Theatron:(literally, "viewing-place")This is where the spectators sat.The theatron was usually partof hillside overlooking theorchestra. 7. The modernword theatrecomes from theGreek wordtheatronmeaning"seeing place" 8. Skene: (literally, "tent") The skene was directly inback of the stage, and was usually decorated as apalace, temple, or other building, depending on theneeds of the play. It had at least one set of doors,and actors could make entrances and exits throughthem.Parodos: (literally, "passageways") The paths bywhich the chorus and some actors made theirentrances and exits. The audience also used them toenter and exit the theater before and after theperformance. 9. The first plays were performed in the Theatre ofDionysus, built in the shadow of the Acropolis inAthens at the beginning of the 5th century, These theatres proved to be so popular they soonspread all over Greece. 10. In Greek MythologyDionysus was the son ofZeus. He is the only godborn of one god and onemortal parent.He was the god of wine,fertility and revelry. 11. He was raised by satyrs, killed, dismembered,and resurrected (was actually reborn).Other gods had temples, the cult of Dionysismet in the wood. It was believed that he could liberate and inspireman. It was also believed that he could endowman with divine creativity. Dionysus, thus,came to be considered a patron of the arts 12. In the sixth century BC, the Athenian ruler,Pisistratus, established the 'City Dionysia', afestival of entertainment held in honor of thegod Dionysus.This festival featured competitions in music,singing, dance and poetry.The most remarkable of all the winners wassaid to be a wandering bard named Thespis. 13. Does the name Thespis remind you of anything? Canyou guess which modern word goes back to this earlyactors name?thespian:1. Of or relating to drama;dramatic: thespian talents. 2.Thespian Of or relating toThespis 14. 1. Performed for special occasions (festivals).Athens had four festivals worshipping Dionysus.2. Competitive--prizes were awarded. Actors andplaywrights competed (Oedipus won 2nd place)3. Choral There was singing; the chorus was made up ofmen (from 3 to 50). The chorus sang, moved, and danced.They moved the story along.4. The stories were based on myth or history 15. The playThe actorsThe chorus 16. ComedyTragedy Satyr PlaysComedy and tragedy were the most popular types ofplays in ancient Greece. Hence, the modern popularityof the comedy and tragedy masks to symbolise theatre. 17. not admitted to Dionysus festival till 487-486 B.C. late The first comedies were mainly satirical andmocked men in power for their vanity andfoolishness. The first master of comedy was the playwrightAristophanes. exaggerated, farcical, sensual pleasures 18. Prologue leading characterconceives a "happy idea"Parados: entrance of the chorusAgon: dramatized debate betweenproponent and opponent of the "happyidea" 19. Parabasis: chorusaddresses audience onpoets views on topic Episodes: "Happy idea"is put to practicalapplication 20. Late point of attackViolence and death offstage Frequent use of messengers to relate informationUsually continuous time of actionUsually single place Stories based on myth or history, but variedinterpretations of eventsFocus is on psychological and ethical attributes ofcharacters, rather than physical and sociological. 21. Tragedy dealt with love, loss, pride, the abuse ofpower and the fraught relationships between menand gods.Typically the main protagonist of a tragedycommits some terrible crime without realizing howfoolish and arrogant he has been. Then, as heslowly realizes his error, the world crumbles aroundhim. The three great playwrights of tragedy wereAeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. 22. The word tragedy cameto be derived from theGreek tragos (goat) andode (poem). Tragedyliterally means goat songor goat poem. 23. Prologue, which described the situation and set the scene Parados, an ode sung by the chorus as it made its entrance Five dramatic scenes, each followed by a Komos, anexchange of laments by the chorus and the protagonist Exodus, the climax and conclusion Tragedies were often presented in trilogies. Interspersedbetween the three plays in the trilogy were satyr plays, inwhich satyrs (men dressed as half-goats) made fun of thecharacters in the surrounding tragedies. 24. a flaw or mistake that brings about the downfall ofthe hero of a tragedyThe Greek term "harmartia," typically translated as"tragic flaw," actually is closer in meaning to a"mistake" or an "error," "failing," rather than aninnate flaw.The character's flaw must result from something thatis also a central part of their virtue, which goessomewhat arwry, usually due to a lack of knowledge. 25. These were short playsperformed between the acts oftragedies. They made fun ofthe plight of the tragedy'scharacters. The satyrs were mythical half-human,half-goat servants ofDionysus. 26. Does the term Satyrremind you of anymodern day term?The Satyr and the Satyrplays spawned themodern word satire. 27. All of the actors andplaywrights were men.Women were not allowed toparticipate. The actors played multipleroles, so a mask was used toshow the change in characteror mood. Gestures and body movementswere controlled and stately If playing female role needfor female appearance worethe prosternida before thechest and the progastridabefore the belly 28. Functions of the chorus an agent: gives advice, asks, takes part establishes ethical framework, sets up standard bywhich action will be judged ideal spectator - reacts as playwright hopes audiencewould sets mood and heightens dramatic effects adds movement, spectacle, song, and dance rhythmical function - pauses / paces the action so thatthe audience can reflect. 29. Sophocles: (496-406 B.C.) The son ofa wealthy merchant, he wouldenjoy all the comforts of a thrivingGreek empire. By the age of sixteen, he waschosen to lead a choir of boys at acelebration of the victory ofSalamis. By age 28 his studies complete,and he was ready to compete inthe City Dionysia--a festival heldevery year at the Theatre ofDionysus in which new plays werepresented. 30. won 24 contests, never lower than 2nd Added a third actor and scenery Concerned with the relationship between gods and humanfate Concerned with tragic irony, the contrast between human fateand human ignorance Concerned with the importance of free will/moral choice Struggle even if struggle is hopeless; each characterembodies a certain moral idealPortrays humans as they OUGHT to beBelieved evil/moral failings stemmed from ignorance 31. By the time of Sophocles' death in406 BC (128 years after Thespis'victory in the first Athenian dramacompetition) the golden era of Greekdrama was ending. Athens, whose free-thinking culturehad spawned the birth of theater,would be overrun in 404 BC by theSpartans, and would later be tornapart by constant warring with othercity states, eventually falling underthe dominion of Alexander the Greatand his Macedonian armies. 32. TASKIn pairs, come up with a concept for a 5minute tragedy, comedy or satyr playthat contains elements of theatreexplored in this presentation.Plan the plot and characters (make sureits not too complicated) then beginwriting the play!