Introduction to Greek Drama - Weeblysophomoreenglishatsaintlawrence.weebly.com/uploads/3/2/2/... · 2019-11-06 · Sophocles as a Playwright In the drama festivals of his day, Sophocles

Introduction to Greek Drama

English II

SOPHOCLES

Sophocles was born in Colonus, Greece in 497 BCE

He died in 406 BCE at approximately 90 years of age.

He Lived during the Golden Age ofl Greece (The Golden Age of Greece was from

approximately 800 BCE to 300 BCE)

He was a successful musician, athlete, and respected playwright.

He was also active in social and political life.

He held several priesthoods, was imperial treasurer in 443 BCE, and a general in 440 BCE

Sophocles as a Playwright

In the drama festivals of his day, Sophocles won the first place prize for best play 24 times!

He wrote more than a hundred plays but only seven remain.

The most famous of his plays are: Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, Antigone, and Electra.

Sophocles’ Impact on Drama

Sophocles expanded the format of drama by adding a third actor.

He increased the amount of dialogue within a play.

He decreased the importance of the chorus by fixing its number at 15.

He invented painted scenery and added flute music in the background of his plays.

He made each play of a trilogy stand by itself as a separate story.

Structure of a Greek Tragedy

1. Prologue – the actors present the opening situation on stage

2. Parados – the entering song and dance of the chorus

3. Episodes – periods of more action by the actors

4. Stasima/Stasimon – choral ode or song commenting on the action

5. Exodus – the last action of the play

Tragedy

In a tragedy, the plot revealed what happened to a person who went against the laws of the gods or who was too proud

This stems from the Greek belief that man was subject to the whims of the gods and fate.

The root of Greek tragedy is that man can not avoid suffering.

In nearly all tragedies, man’s biggest fault is excessive pride – a mistaken belief that he could somehow avoid fate or the will of the gods.

Origin of Drama Drama was developed by the

ancient Greeks during celebrations honoring Dionysus.

Dionysus is the god of the vine, which produces grapes for wine. Wine was associated with resurrection and suffering.

With the inclusion of many choral songs, the early Greek plays resembled what we call opera today.

Festival of Dionysus The Festival of Dionysus took place in Athens over the course

of five days in March or April.

During the first day, the Greeks held a procession honoring Dionysus in which all citizens participated.

During the festival’s second day, the choral songs were performed.

On the last three days of the festival, the actors performed three tragedies, one satyr (satire – mock heroic tragedies) play, and one comedy.

Festival of Dionysus

The archon, a state official, selected three poets to compete for the prizes in the tragedy division.

The choregus, a wealthy, prominent citizen of Athens, was required by law to pay for the cost of training and costumes for the chorus.

A jury of 10 citizens selected the winning poet

The playwright served as a sort of teacher, offering plays for the ethical and moral improvement of his fellow citizens to insure the spiritual survival of the community.

The Greek Theatre

Theatron = area of seats for the audience hollowed out from the hillside

Orchestra = large area in front of the stage where the chorus sang and danced

Thymele = the altar centered in the orchestra used for sacrifices to Dionysus

Parados = walled walkway used by the chorus to enter and exit the stage

Pro-scenium = a long, low stage behind the orchestra

Skene = building that contained the actors’ dressing rooms

The Greek Theatre

The Greek Theatre was similar to an outdoor stadium that could hold between 15,000 – 20,000 people.

Greek Theater

Greek Theater

Greek Theater

The Actors The Greek name for an actor was “hypocrite.”

As there were only 3 actors, they wore masks to play multiple parts.

All actors were men, because it was considered undignified for women to appear on stage

Actors wore padded costumes, wigs, and high-heeled boots to make them taller and give them added dignity and power.

Actors had to be able to speak in poetic language and sing using a loud and clear voice.

The Chorus

The chorus was led by a conductor and consisted of singers and dancers who moved and sang together, acting as one character.

A Choral Ode was chanted or sung in unison.

Originally, they Chorus started out with 50 people, but Sophocles fixed the number at 15.

The Chorus

The playwright used the chorus and their songs to:

Add the beauty of song and dance.

Set the mood or express the main themes of the play by commenting on the action.

Create a bridge between the actors and the audience.

Converse with and give advice to the actors.

Tell about events that have already happened in the past.

Foretell the future by interpreting the actions of the actors.

The Stories

Originally, the stories were hymns and prayers honoring the gods, especially Dionysus.

Over time, the content of the stories changed to legends of Greek leaders and heroes.

Greek Tragic Hero

The Greek tragic hero had to be a man or woman capable of great suffering

The tragic hero is brought to disaster by hamartia, or a single flaw in a person’s character.

Hubris

Hubris is defined as excessive pride. Think of at least three modern examples of characters whose

downfall is caused by their hubris.

Hubris leaves leads to suffering and then to an understanding (catharsis) of man’s place in the system of life. Catharsis is an emotional release caused by an intense

emotional experience.

The purpose of a Greek tragedy is to learn a lesson through the catastrophes that befall the characters on stage and to understand that their misfortunes are a result of not following the will of the Gods or trying to avoid their own destinies because of hubris.

Antigone

Antigone is the third of Sophocles’ Theban plays.

Antigone is Oedipus’ daughter, princess of Thebes.

She breaks the law to bury her brother who has been labeled a traitor by the king, her uncle.

Oedipus Background

The Oracle of Delphi, a prophet, tells King Laios and Queen Jocasta that their future son will kill his father and marry his mother.

With the fear of this prophey never far from their minds, the King Laios and Queen Jocasta abandon their son, Oedipus, shortly after his birth.

Though he had been left for dead, Oedipus was found and raised by the King and Queen of Corinth

Oedipus Background Years later, Oedipus meets a

traveller on the road. An argument begins, and Oedipus kills the traveller in his rage.

Though he did not know it, the traveller that Oedipus killed was his birth father, the King of Thebes.

Shortly he unknowingly kills his father, Oedipus defeats the Sphinx and is rewarded with the Kingdom

of Thebes and its queen.

Oedipus Background

Oedipus marries the Queen of Thebes, Jocasta, not knowing that she is really his mother.

Oedipus and Jocasta have four children together, Antigone, Ismene, Eteocles, and Polyneices.

Oedipus Family Tree

CADMUS

Founder of Thebes

POLYDORUS

King of Thebes

LABDACUS

King of Thebes

LAIUS

King of Thebes JOCASTA

OEDIPUS

CREON

EURYDICE

MENOCEUS

POLYNICES ISMENE *ANTIGONE ETEOCLES HAEMON

indicates sibling relationship