Classic Greek TheatreClassic Greek Theatre

By Rebecca Kelly, Dana Yberg, Rachel Altman, By Rebecca Kelly, Dana Yberg, Rachel Altman, Cristina Carter, and Josh HewittCristina Carter, and Josh Hewitt

Parts of Ancient Greek Parts of Ancient Greek TheatreTheatre

SkeneSkene: Where the actors preformed. It served as : Where the actors preformed. It served as a background for the play as well as a stagea background for the play as well as a stage Three machines:Three machines:

Aeorema- crane that made the actors fly to appear as godsAeorema- crane that made the actors fly to appear as gods Periactori- change the backgroundPeriactori- change the background Ekeclema- moving platform to bring dead bodies out on Ekeclema- moving platform to bring dead bodies out on

stagestage OrchestraOrchestra: Where the chorus was located: Where the chorus was located

In front of the skene (center of the theatre)In front of the skene (center of the theatre) KoilonKoilon: where people sat: where people sat

First made out of wood, then stoneFirst made out of wood, then stone

The Structure of Ancient Greek The Structure of Ancient Greek PlaysPlays

Prologue:Prologue: in the form in the form of a small speech to of a small speech to give the audience an give the audience an exposition exposition

tended to be spoken by tended to be spoken by one or two charactersone or two characters

Paradox:Paradox: The chorus The chorus enters the orchestraenters the orchestra

Establishes the mood Establishes the mood of the playof the play

EpisodeEpisode: the actors and chorus sung and talked, : the actors and chorus sung and talked, etc.etc.

There were many episodesThere were many episodes When an episode finished a staismon begun. The When an episode finished a staismon begun. The

actors left the stage and the chorus sings and dances actors left the stage and the chorus sings and dances to an ode that corresponded with the episode to an ode that corresponded with the episode

ExodusExodus: the chorus sings a song while leaving : the chorus sings a song while leaving that wraps up or gives words of wisdomthat wraps up or gives words of wisdom

Major Themes in Ancient Greek Major Themes in Ancient Greek PlaysPlays

Plays often centered around Dionysus, the god of Plays often centered around Dionysus, the god of fertilityfertility

TragedyTragedy Most Greek tragedies are based on mythology and deal Most Greek tragedies are based on mythology and deal

with characters' search for the meaning of life and the with characters' search for the meaning of life and the nature of the gods. nature of the gods.

ComedyComedy Most famous playwright was AristophanesMost famous playwright was Aristophanes

Plays often feature:Plays often feature: violence and daily life violence and daily life social and ethical plays social and ethical plays war war murder murder lust lust betrayal betrayal

1.1. What are the three main parts of an What are the three main parts of an Ancient Greek theatre?Ancient Greek theatre?

2.2. What are the two main types of What are the two main types of Greek plays?Greek plays?

3.3. What is the last section of Ancient What is the last section of Ancient Greek plays?Greek plays?

BibliographyBibliography

Phillip, K. "ACTORS IN ANCIENT GREEK THEATRE." Phillip, K. "ACTORS IN ANCIENT GREEK THEATRE." Rich EastRich East. . 29 Mar. 2000. Web. 16 Mar. 2011. 29 Mar. 2000. Web. 16 Mar. 2011. <http://www.richeast.org/htwm/Greeks/theatre/stage.html>.<http://www.richeast.org/htwm/Greeks/theatre/stage.html>.

Englert, Walter. "Greek Theater." Englert, Walter. "Greek Theater." Reed CollegeReed College. Web. 16 Mar. . Web. 16 Mar. 2011. <http://academic.2011. <http://academic.reed.edu/humanities/110tech/Theater.html>.reed.edu/humanities/110tech/Theater.html>.

Robinson, Scott R. "Theatre and Drama in Ancient Greece." Robinson, Scott R. "Theatre and Drama in Ancient Greece." Central Washington UniversityCentral Washington University. 2010. Web. 18 Mar. 2011. . 2010. Web. 18 Mar. 2011. <http://www.cwu.edu/~robinsos/ppages/resources/Theatre_Hi<http://www.cwu.edu/~robinsos/ppages/resources/Theatre_History/Theahis_2.html>. story/Theahis_2.html>.

Phillips, K. "ANCIENT GREEK THEATRE." Phillips, K. "ANCIENT GREEK THEATRE." Rich EastRich East. 29 Mar. . 29 Mar. 2000. Web. 18 Mar. 2011. 2000. Web. 18 Mar. 2011. <http://www.richeast.org/htwm/Greeks/theatre/theatre.html>. <http://www.richeast.org/htwm/Greeks/theatre/theatre.html>.