Anthony ShawErin Hubbartt

In 600 BC Greece was divided into city-states, separate nations centered in major cities and regions. The most populated city-state was Athens, where at least 150,000 people lived. It was here, in Athens, that the play Rites of Dionysus evolved into what we know as theatre.

Between 600 and 200 BC, the Athenians would create theatre, something that would live on for at least another two millennia.

To entertain

Greek theatre was the very first era of theatre, without Greek theatre there would be no theatre.

Tragedy and Comedy

Between 600 and 500 BC, theatre had evolved, most notably for it’s tragedy plays. Tragedy told a story that was intended to teach religious lessons. Tragedies were designed to show the right as well as the wrong paths in life. Tragedies were not just plays with bad endings, this type of theatre was also viewed as a form of ritual purification.

Most often, the protagonist's main fault is assuming false arrogance. It could be the arrogance of not accepting ones destiny, the arrogance of assuming the right to kill, or the arrogance of assuming the right to seek vengeance. Whatever the root cause, the protagonist's last collision with fate, reality, or society would almost always be inevitable and irrevocable.

Tragedy was not the only product of Athens' flourishing theatre culture; comedy as well thrived considering that the Greeks produced many lasting comedies. Sadly though, historical development of comedy was not as well documented as that of tragedy.

Comedy developed along the lines as tragedy did, becoming more about the common people and less concerned with its religious origins. By 317 BC, a new form had evolved that resembled modern farces. (Farces: A play consisting of such things as an unrealistic plot and over exaggerated characters.)

Greek culture had an oral tradition where bards would visit kingdom to kingdom and orally recite stories of past heroes. Eventually, reciters were accompanied by a chorus. This chorus then evolved into a chorus plus an actor, then two actors, and then three. Over time it took its then present day shape.

Roman theatre was entirely based off of Greek theatre, it was the only template to go off of.

Women and Men Attire

The Doric Chiton was one of the most common garments worn by both men and women in Greece during the 6th and early 5th centuries BC

The Doric Chiton folded around the body and was then pinned into place

With better fabrics came more sophistication, and more scope for the Greek fashion elite of the day, for example; they began adding sleeves.

Made of linen or silkIonic Chitons used

more material and were more fitted around the shoulders. 

Rustic dress was a more relaxed shorter version of the chiton

The loose, short, Greek chiton was better suited for working in the fields and tending to livestock

Women Only

Fancy Dress

1. Prometheus Bound

2. Antigone

3. The Eumenides

4. Oedipus at Colonus

5. Agamemnon

1. Aeschylus

2. Sophocles

3. Aeschylus

4. Sophocles

5. Aeschylus

Playwrights

Prometheus Bound By: Aeschylus

Prometheus can see people’s destiny’s.***

Prometheus stole fire from the gods to give to mankind, after doing so Prometheus had to deal with the consequences…

Zeus was not big on forgiving. He was the chief god on Mount Olympus, what he said, went. When he was defied he ordered very nasty punishments.

Zeus gave Prometheus, a minor god, a major job—creating humans; while his brother, Epimetheus, created other forms of life. Prometheus finished his work but took too long. By the time he finished, Epimetheus had already passed out most of the gifts that Zeus had given them both to share with all living beings. Animals ended up having more physical skills, like running, and adaptation skills, such as fur coats to keep them warm whilst humans were shivering in their

skin.

Kratus and Bia carry Prometheus to a mountain in the Caucasus. Hephaestus follows them. Kratus explains that this is where Prometheus must be chained to a rock on the orders of Zeus in punishment for giving fire to human beings. Prometheus is expected to learn to like Zeus and stop liking humans. Hephaestus, whose job it is to bind Prometheus to the mountain, groans that he finds it difficult to do this to a fellow god. He explains, however, that he has no choice but to obey Zeus.

Prometheus will remain there for a long time; his liberator has not yet been born.

As a god, Prometheus was immortal. He could not die, but he could suffer great pain, and he did. Every day an eagle flew down from the sky, tore out Prometheus's liver, and ate it. Every night the liver grew back, ready for the eagle's return in the morning for another meal. This continued for hundreds of years.

Oceanus flies in and tells Prometheus that he himself is going to Zeus to have Prometheus freed.

Prometheus responds that talking to Zeus would be useless and Oceanus should not put himself in danger by getting involved.

Oceanus argues that words are needed for healing, but Prometheus counters that the medicine must be applied at the proper time.

Convinced by Prometheus's logical argument and refusal of his help, Oceanus departs.

The Chorus sings that the entire old world mourns for Prometheus and his brothers who also suffer at the hands of Zeus, especially Atlas who, because of Zeus, is now forced to hold up the world.

Prometheus summarizes everything he has done for humanity. He insists that all human arts come from him.

Prometheus reveals that Zeus will one day choose a mate whose son will depose of his father and only Prometheus can help Zeus prevent this.

One day someone will free him. How Zeus will cure and impregnate a woman

with a gentle touch of his hand. Descendants, and who will become kings of

the city Argos.

Prometheus shouts out that Zeus's own son will topple him.

Zeus's messenger, Hermes, enters and orders Prometheus to reveal the identity of this son's mother.

Prometheus mocks Hermes and says that he will tell him nothing.

Hermes warns that if Prometheus does not yield, a storm will send him to Tartarus, and that then he will emerge only to have an eagle eat his liver every day, and this will not end until a god agrees to die for him.

The Chorus advises Prometheus to yield, but he shows no fear of his destiny.

Hermes orders the Oceanids away, but they reply that to betray a friend is the worst crime of all and vow to stay with Prometheus; just as he helped human beings who cannot save him from Zeus, they stay with Prometheus even though he is trapped and can do nothing for them.

As the earth begins to shake and thunder gathers around him, Prometheus calls on the elements to witness his suffering.