Ancient Greek TheatreAncient Greek Theatre
Where is Greece?Where is Greece?
Why do we begin with Why do we begin with Greece?Greece?
Ancient Greece is the beginning of Ancient Greece is the beginning of Western culture and civilization. Western culture and civilization. (That eventually became Europe and (That eventually became Europe and the Americas.) the Americas.)
Many Western cultures followed the Many Western cultures followed the examples that began in Greece.examples that began in Greece.
Modern American Theatre evolved Modern American Theatre evolved from the Ancient Greek traditions. from the Ancient Greek traditions.
A. Historical InfluencesA. Historical Influences
1.1. 500’s B.C.E.500’s B.C.E.
2.2. Festivals honoring Dionysus, God of Festivals honoring Dionysus, God of WineWine
3.3. *Dithyramb – ritual of song and *Dithyramb – ritual of song and dancedance
4.4. Contests for PlaywrightsContests for Playwrights
B. Physical SpaceB. Physical Space
1.1. *Arena Theatre*Arena Theatre2.2. *Theatron – “seeing *Theatron – “seeing
place” – sloped hillside place” – sloped hillside for audiencefor audience
3.3. *Orchestra – Flat *Orchestra – Flat terrace below slope terrace below slope where chorus where chorus performed – between performed – between audience and Main audience and Main ActorsActors
4.4. *Skene – Building *Skene – Building behind acting areabehind acting area
5.5. *Proskenion – Stage *Proskenion – Stage areaarea
C. Characteristics of C. Characteristics of ProductionsProductions
1.1. All performers All performers were men – were men – usually limited to usually limited to 3 actors3 actors
2. *2. *Chorus – about 15 Chorus – about 15 people people – – Choral Odes were Choral Odes were performed between performed between episodes and divided the episodes and divided the action into segments. action into segments. -Seen as a “group -Seen as a “group character” who character” who expressed opinions and expressed opinions and gave advice gave advice – – Often expressed the Often expressed the author’s point of view or author’s point of view or reacted as the audience reacted as the audience to establish mood. to establish mood. - Sang, chanted, danced.- Sang, chanted, danced.
3.3. *Episodes = Acting scenes*Episodes = Acting scenes
4.4. *Parados = Prologue – Entrance of *Parados = Prologue – Entrance of chorus and explanation of chorus and explanation of background. Also the name for the background. Also the name for the actual aisle where the chorus actual aisle where the chorus entered.entered.
5.5. *Deus Ex Machina – “god from *Deus Ex Machina – “god from machine” - Crane like device to machine” - Crane like device to fly gods infly gods in
D. Important PeopleD. Important People
1.1. Thespis – first Thespis – first performer to performer to separate from separate from chorus and have a chorus and have a dialogue with dialogue with them as a them as a character – character – considered “first considered “first actor” – where we actor” – where we get the word get the word “thespian”“thespian”
2.2. 66thth century B.C.E. century B.C.E.
AeschylusAeschylus
2. Aeschylus 2. Aeschylus
(ca 525-456 B.C.E.)(ca 525-456 B.C.E.) ““Father of Greek Father of Greek
Tragedy”Tragedy” Known for Known for
innovative innovative languagelanguage
Only 7 of 70 plays Only 7 of 70 plays survivedsurvived
SophoclesSophocles
3.3. Sophocles (496-406 Sophocles (496-406 B.C.E.)B.C.E.)
7 of 123 plays 7 of 123 plays remainremain
Known for 3 big Known for 3 big innovations:innovations:
a. Including a 3a. Including a 3rdrd actor on stageactor on stage
b. Limiting the role b. Limiting the role of the chorusof the chorus
c. Making plots more c. Making plots more complexcomplex
EuripidesEuripides
4.4. Euripides (480-406 Euripides (480-406 B.C.E.)B.C.E.)
Last Tragic Last Tragic playwright of the playwright of the classic eraclassic era
17 of 92 plays 17 of 92 plays survivedsurvived
Created “Deus Ex Created “Deus Ex Machina” and Machina” and “Prologue”“Prologue”
Known for simple Known for simple language and realismlanguage and realism
AristophanesAristophanes
5. Aristophanes 5. Aristophanes
(ca. 446– 386 BCE)(ca. 446– 386 BCE) Father of Old Father of Old
ComedyComedy 11 of 40 plays 11 of 40 plays
survivesurvive A lot of farce and A lot of farce and
satiresatire His powers of His powers of
ridicule were fearedridicule were feared
MenanderMenander
5.5. Menander (ca Menander (ca 341-290 B.C.E.)341-290 B.C.E.)
Writer/creator of Writer/creator of “new comedy”“new comedy”
Wrote more than Wrote more than 100 comedies – 100 comedies – only 1 survivedonly 1 survived
New ComedyNew Comedy
Popular after the death of Alexander Popular after the death of Alexander the Great in 323 – until about 260ish the Great in 323 – until about 260ish BCEBCE
Fears of ordinary manFears of ordinary manPersonal relationshipsPersonal relationshipsFamily and social mishapsFamily and social mishapsMore sophisticated More sophisticated Less farcical and satirical than “Old Less farcical and satirical than “Old
comedy” comedy”
E. Notable TitlesE. Notable Titles
Oedipus RexOedipus Rex (the king) (the king)AntigoneAntigone
Both by Sophocles and part of trilogyBoth by Sophocles and part of trilogy
