YOU ARE DOWNLOADING DOCUMENT

Please tick the box to continue:

Transcript
Page 1: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

Ms. Aixa B. RodriguezWorld Cultures ThemeMythology UnitESL L5 and Art in Literature ClassHigh School for World Cultures Bronx, NY

Page 2: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo
Page 3: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo
Page 4: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo
Page 5: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo
Page 6: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

Theatron: literally, the “watching place”

Orchestra: literally, the “dancing place”

Skene: “scene,” or backdrop

Page 7: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo
Page 8: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

DaylightClass issuesWomenComfortSound effects

Page 9: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo
Page 10: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

The modern word “theater” comes from the Greek word theatron meaning "seeing place"

Page 11: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

Challenges:SizeDistance from audience

Holding interest

Page 12: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo
Page 13: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

Behind orchestra

Served as backdrop, house

Decorative in later years

Holds mechane

Page 14: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

Parodos: Parodos: passageways (pl.paradoi)passageways (pl.paradoi)Ekkykleme: Ekkykleme: “the thing that rolls”“the thing that rolls”

the small wagon platform, was wheeled the small wagon platform, was wheeled in to show a corpse to the audience. in to show a corpse to the audience.

All killing had to occur off stage and be All killing had to occur off stage and be reported to the audience by the chorus reported to the audience by the chorus or a messenger.or a messenger.

MechaneMechane: crane used for special : crane used for special effecteffect

Page 15: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo
Page 16: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

Staging was accomplished simply with the use of pinakes, or scenery painted on boards and placed against the skene.

Also periaktois, triangular prisms, that could be revolved for scenery changes.

Properties were also used. Drums were sounded for thunder.

Page 17: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

…In an amphitheatre

…With a chorus who described most of the action.

…With masks

Page 18: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

• The theater of ancient Greece, flourished The theater of ancient Greece, flourished between c. 550 and c. 220 BCE. between c. 550 and c. 220 BCE.

• The city-state of Athens, was it’s centre.The city-state of Athens, was it’s centre.• It was part of a festival called the Dionysia, which It was part of a festival called the Dionysia, which

honored the god Dionysus, the Greek god of wine honored the god Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and revelry with altars generally on stage.and revelry with altars generally on stage.

• Banks would shut down for days, people would Banks would shut down for days, people would travel from all around to see the drama travel from all around to see the drama competitions—even prisoners were temporarily competitions—even prisoners were temporarily released to see the playsreleased to see the plays

• TragedyTragedy means “goat song” (relates to Dionysian means “goat song” (relates to Dionysian sacrificial rituals)sacrificial rituals)

Page 19: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo
Page 20: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo
Page 21: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

The chorus was trained and costumed at state expense through a choregos (a wealthy citizen) who chose this job as his way of paying taxes and raising his standing in the community.

Page 22: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

Members of the chorus were chosen from the general population.

Chorus members were unpaid volunteers doing their civic duty.

The rehearsal period for a chorus was likely four months or more.

Page 23: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

• DRAMA: a literary composition written to be performed by actors

• central character called a tragic protagonist or hero suffers some serious misfortune

• the misfortune is logically connected with the hero's actions.

Page 24: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

The modern word “drama” comes from the Greek word dran dran meaning "to do”

The Greeks understood the role of action in plays.

Page 25: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

Comedy Tragedy Satyr

Comedy and tragedy were the most popular types of plays in ancient Greece. Hence, the modern popularity of the comedy and tragedy masks to symbolize theatre.

Page 26: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

The word “comedy” comes from the Greek word “komos” which means “band of revelers.”

Page 27: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

These were short plays performed between the acts of tragedies. They made fun of the plight of the tragedy's characters.

The satyrs were mythical half-human, half-goat servants of Dionysus.

They served the function of comic relief.

Page 28: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

The Satyr and the Satyr plays spawned the modern word “satire”.

Page 29: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo
Page 30: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

used a chorus The choric dithyrambs

(choral songs) were originally about the death and resurrection of Dionysus (the god of wine and revelry).

Chorus reflects what the audience is thinking▪ “color commentary”▪ Provides background and

spectacle

Page 31: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

The first function of the chorus wasas narrator (telling stories,

providing information). to bridge the gap between the audience

and the players by making responses and asking questions

to intensify the emotion and establish a lyric mood through rhythmic chanting and dance

to maintain a sense of ceremony and ritual

   

Page 32: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

The chorus could punctuate The chorus could punctuate the action of a play with the action of a play with bursts of song and dance, bursts of song and dance, which enlarged the dramatic which enlarged the dramatic action and relieved tension. action and relieved tension.

Instruments used to Instruments used to accompany choric songs and accompany choric songs and dances included flutes, lyres, dances included flutes, lyres, horns, drums, and bells.horns, drums, and bells.

The The ‘‘ParadosParados’ ’ (chorus (chorus entrance) marks the entrance) marks the beginning of the play, and the beginning of the play, and the exodusexodus (its exit) the ending.(its exit) the ending.

SingingSinging DancingDancing StropheStrophe AntistropheAntistrophe

Page 33: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

As the number of actors increased from one to three, the size of the chorus, which originally numbered 50, was reduced.

12-15 men

Page 34: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

The Chorus could play the worshipers of a God, or as in Oedipus, the villagers and Theban elders (town leaders).

Page 35: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

The modern word “thespian” comes from the name Thespis, the first actor credited with separating from the chorus to hold a call and response with them.

Page 36: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

Choruses did not rehearse in the theatres, they probably rehearsed in a closed room so that the spectators would not see the drama before the performance.

Early dramatists (Aeschylus and probably Sophocles and Euripides) taught their own choruses.

Page 37: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

Consisted of standard Greek attire Chiton: a sleeveless tunic belted below

the breast the himation: draped around the right

shoulder the chlamys, or short cloak, worn over

the left shoulder elaborately embroidered patterns Masks were used. If playing a female role, the male actor

in want of a female appearance wore the prosternida before the chest and the progastrida before the belly

Page 38: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

3 Actors, all menElaborate gestures, “over-acting”

Women were not allowed to participate.

Page 39: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo
Page 40: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

to masks bring the characters' face closer to the audience.

to enable an actor to play in several different roles,

to help the audience to distinguish sex, age, and social status, in addition to revealing a change in a particular character’s emotions and appearance.

a mask—called a “persona” Masks contained “megaphone” to

amplify their voices

Page 41: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

Another adaptation that the Greeks' developed for their theatre masks were special mouths that acted like megaphones to amplify their voice for everyone in the huge theatre to hear.

Page 42: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

Actors wore masks with exaggerated facial featuresand expressions to make it easy for all viewers to

identify a particular character because theatres were very large.

Page 43: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

Greek actors originally started wearing masks that were very human like that just covered part of the face

Eventually with the increase in theatre size the mask changed as well

The mask then began to cover the whole head and resembled legends from Greek mythology not humans

Page 44: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

usually made by the people that usually made by the people that who wore them in the playwho wore them in the play

from consisted of cloth, leather, from consisted of cloth, leather, and wood with animal hair and and wood with animal hair and painted or died different colors with painted or died different colors with flowers and other plants attached to flowers and other plants attached to them.them.

Famous actors in bigger plays may Famous actors in bigger plays may have had jewels and other ornate have had jewels and other ornate items placed on their masksitems placed on their masks

Page 45: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

AeschylusSophoclesEuripidesAristophanesMenander

Page 46: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

Medea is a princess from Colchis. She marries Jason, who is on a quest for the Golden Fleece. Medea betrays her father and murders her brother for her love of Jason. Medea has magical powers. Jason takes Medea back to his homeland Iolcus. They are rejected for fear of Medea’s power and move to Corinth, where they have children.

Jason takes another wife, the king of Corinth’s daughter Glauce. Medea, betrayed, sends a bewitched gown to Princess Glauce, Jason’s new bride, it kills her and her father. Jason returns to find Medea has killed their sons. Medea leaves with the bodies of her children in a dragon led chariot. Jason, a shadow of a man, no longer protected by Hera, dies when a timber from the Argo crushes him in his sleep.

Page 47: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

Son of wealthy Athenian merchant

Lived during golden age of Athens Center of democracy

Important figure in society Becomes cultural

spokesperson Noted playwright Wrote primarily

tragedies Witnessed decline of

Athens

495 B.C.E. :Born in Colonus, in Attica

441: Writes Antigone

431-404: Peloponnesian War (Athens v. Sparta)

429: Writes Oedipus Rex

406: Sophocles dies

Page 48: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

Oedipus: “Aye, 'tis no secret. Apollo once foretold That

I should mate with mine own mother, and shed With my own hands the blood of my own sire. Hence Corinth was for many a year to me. A home distant; and I trove abroad, But missed the sweetest sight, my parents' face. ”

Jocasta:1. “An oracle Once came to Laius, I will not say

'Twas from the Delphic god himself, but from His ministers, declaring he was doomed to perish by the hand of his own son, A child that should be born to him by me.

Page 49: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

Delphic Oracle, prophecy

Corinth and Thebes Sphinx riddle Self-punishment Children: Eteocles,

Polyneices, Ismene, Antigone

Page 50: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

• Sphinx's riddle: "What is the creature that walks on four legs in the morning, two legs at noon and three in the evening?"

• To this Oedipus answered "Man”.

• Oedipus's name means "swollen foot”. His ankles were pinned as a baby. Here is the baby of which the Sphinx speaks, crawling on four feet.

• Oedipus the adult man, standing on his own two feet.

• Oedipus will leave Thebes an old blind man, using a cane.

• Oedipus himself proves to be that same man, an embodiment of the Sphinx's riddle.

• Oedipus is solver of the Sphinx's riddle, and the answer.

Page 51: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo
Page 52: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

1.1. The play begins years after Oedipus is The play begins years after Oedipus is given the throne of Thebes. given the throne of Thebes.

2.2. The chorus of Thebans cries out to The chorus of Thebans cries out to Oedipus for salvation from the plague Oedipus for salvation from the plague sent by the gods in response to Laius' sent by the gods in response to Laius' murder.murder.

3.3. The blind prophet, Teiresias, is called The blind prophet, Teiresias, is called to aid Oedipus in his search; He warns to aid Oedipus in his search; He warns Oedipus not to follow through with the Oedipus not to follow through with the investigation.investigation.

4.4. Oedipus accuses him of being the Oedipus accuses him of being the murderer, even though Teiresias is murderer, even though Teiresias is blind and aged. blind and aged.

5.5. Oedipus promises to exile the man Oedipus promises to exile the man responsible for it. responsible for it.

6.6. Oedipus accuses Teiresias of Oedipus accuses Teiresias of conspiring with Creon, Jocasta's conspiring with Creon, Jocasta's brother, to overthrow him. brother, to overthrow him.

7.7. Oedipus calls for one of Laius' former Oedipus calls for one of Laius' former servants, the only surviving witness of servants, the only surviving witness of the murder, who fled the city when the murder, who fled the city when Oedipus became king to avoid being Oedipus became king to avoid being the one to reveal the truth. the one to reveal the truth.

1.1. A messenger from Corinth also A messenger from Corinth also arrives to inform Oedipus of the arrives to inform Oedipus of the death of Polybus, whom death of Polybus, whom Oedipus Oedipus still believes is his real father. still believes is his real father.

2.2. The messenger informs him that The messenger informs him that he was in fact adopted and his he was in fact adopted and his real parentage is unknown. real parentage is unknown.

3.3. In the subsequent discussions In the subsequent discussions Jocasta guesses the truth and Jocasta guesses the truth and runs away. runs away.

4.4. Oedipus is stubbornOedipus is stubborn5.5. A 2A 2ndnd messenger arrives and messenger arrives and

reveals that Jocasta has hanged reveals that Jocasta has hanged herself herself

6.6. Oedipus, upon discovering her Oedipus, upon discovering her body, blinds himself with the body, blinds himself with the golden brooches on her dress. golden brooches on her dress.

7.7. The play ends with Oedipus The play ends with Oedipus entrusting his children to Creon entrusting his children to Creon and leaving in exile, as he and leaving in exile, as he promised would be the fate of promised would be the fate of Laius' murderer.Laius' murderer.

Page 53: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo
Page 54: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

1. Story revolves around two different unsuccessful attempts to change the course of fate:

1. Jocasta and Laius's killing of Oedipus at birth and

2. Oedipus's flight from Corinth later on.

2. Jocasta kills her son only to find him married to her.

3. Oedipus leaves Corinth only to find that he has carried out the oracle's words.

Page 55: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

Oedipus counts on his own ability not the gods. The irony is, of course, that the oracles and Oedipus's reasoning lead to the same outcome.Oedipus is a thinker. His intelligence is what makes him great, yet it is also what makes him tragic. Marriage to Jocasta and ruling Thebes was the prize for ridding Thebes of the Sphinx. Oedipus's intelligence, a trait that brings him closer to the gods, is what causes him to commit the most terrible of all sins.

In killing the Sphinx, Oedipus is the city's savior, but in killing Laius (and marrying Jocasta), he is cause of the plague that has struck the city at the play's opening. Sight here means two different things. Oedipus is blessed with perception. But he is blind to the truth, for all he seeks it. Oedipus is human and we recognize this in his agonizing reaction to his sin. Watching this, the audience is moved to both pity and fear: pity for this broken man, and fear that his tragedy could be our own. Watching this tragedy gives us the audience a sense of purging. This is the catharsis which Aristotle spoke of.

Page 56: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

The Six Aspects of TragedyThe Six Aspects of Tragedy

1.1. PLOTPLOT

2.2. CHARACTERCHARACTER

3.3. SPECTACLESPECTACLE

4.4. SONGSONG

5.5. DICTIONDICTION

6.6. THOUGHTTHOUGHT

From Aristotle’s From Aristotle’s PoeticsPoetics

**

Page 57: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

1. PLOT: Plot is the way the incidents are presented to the audience

• Must be “whole” –beginning/ middle and end• Incentive moment- begins cause and effect• Climax• resolution

• Must be complete and have “unity of action”• No “deus ex machina”• No “episodic plots”

• Plot can be simple or complex• Catastrophe (cata/strophe): change in fortune• Perepetia: a reversal• Anagnorisis: recognition

Page 58: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

Plot Diagram/Plot Diagram/

Freytag’s PyramidFreytag’s Pyramid

Page 59: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

2. CHARACTER• Personal motivations connected to cause/ effect

aspect of plot• Protagonist should be renowned and prosperous

change from good to bad• Hubris – arrogance, overconfidence• Hamartia: a tragic flaw

• Characters should have the following qualities:• Good or fine• Fitness of character• True to life• Consistency• Necessary or probable• Idealized/ ennobled

Page 60: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

1. He must be a man who is superior to the average man in some way.

1. Oedipus is smart he is the only person who could solve the Sphinx's riddle.

2. Must evoke both pity and fear, must be a character with a mixture of good and evil. Oedipus is a hero with a violent streak, clever man, but is blind to the truth.

3. Hamartia, often translated as "tragic flaw" but really means "error in judgement.”

4. Dramatic irony The audience knows the outcome of the story already, but the hero does not, making his actions seem ignorant or inappropriate in the face of what is to come.

Page 61: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

3. THOUGHT• Reference to theme

4. DICTION• Word choice is proper and appropriate• Emphasis on style and use of literary devices

(metaphor)

5. SONG• Musical element of the play• Use of the chorus

6. SPECTACLE* Production for effect

Page 62: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

DionysiaSophoclesOedipus Rex

Cast of characters

Page 63: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

Set in Thebes (a city in ancient Greece)

Antigone is the daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta

Antigone’s brothers, Eteokles and Polyneces, took opposite sides in a war

Eteokles and Polyneces killed each other in battle

Antigone’s uncle, Kreon, became king of Thebes

Page 64: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

Antigone • Antigone, had the better judgment, and

Ismene with all the good intentions.

• They were both two extraordinary women that went through a lot together despite

their differences.

Page 65: Ancient Greek Theatre Combo

Eteocles and Polyneices

The princes who had refused to share their

inheritance shared death instead