Origins of the Greek Theater

GREEK TRAGEDY ORIGINS OF THE GREEK THEATER

 Theater of Dionysus Began as dance worship of Dionysus (god of wine and fertility) Developed into God of Tragedy Use of primitive, violent, strong visual effects (sacrifice of goat)

 Origins Primitive rituals Religious festivals Mourning at a hero’s tomb by a large group Panhellenic festivals (All Greek)

 Festivals held twice a year: Jan/Feb – wine press March/April – spring & rebirth Spectacles led to dramatic stories about myths(principally about gods) Began as chorus of 50 people chanting

 Dramatic Competitions Cycle of dramatic performances Each author submitted 4 plays (3 tragedies and 1 comedy)

 Early Playwrights – the first four Thespis – 6th C. BC – introduced the first singular speaker or first actor. Acting groups today are named Thespians in his honor.

Aeschylus – Chorus still dominates, but he introduced a 2nd character or actor. Dialogue and conflict are more developed.

Sophocles – 496(5?) – 406 BC. He adds 3 or more characters and subordinates the role of the chorus. Themes also focus more about humans in the stories and their lives (not on the gods). Naturally, dialogue and conflict can now be more intricately developed.

Euripides – Continues developments added prior to his plays. CHARACTERISTICS OF GREEK TRAGEDY

Aristotle’s Definition: the imitation of some tragic, realistic action that will arouse pity and fear in the viewer and so purge him of an accumulation of conflicting emotions. This purging of emotions is termed catharsis. (For audience!!)

Dramatic Unities Time – one singular time frame – no “next day” or “that evening” Place – one setting only, usually in front of palace Action – stage is “calm” – mostly continuous discussion

Function of the Chorus – spoke ODES in unison 1. Who are they = town elders (men of importance) 2. Relate the themes and foreshadow 3. Comment on the action and give advice 4. Give background information 5. Provide poetic beauty through the lines they say in unison 6. Help create mood 7. Help relieve tension (All actors were men) Masks Use – Depicted the actor’s emotion – were large to be seen at a distance in the theater. Common construction – Wooden frames covered in cloth and dyed with such natural dyes as grape juice.

Pattern of a Tragedy A tragedy involves a disaster when the tragic hero experiences a tragic downfall; he (or she) falls from a position of importance. The protagonist or the tragic hero struggles against his fate and questions himself and humanity. The tragic hero finally achieves anagnorsis or self recognition (finally sees the truth about himself). At this point the tragic hero experiences his destruction and the audience experiences catharsis. Characters in Greek Tragedy Tragic hero – a good person who is always of an elevated status or importance like a ruler or general. Antagonist – person, god, or force that is against the tragic hero.

Messenger – person who reports what occurs offstage. Often bore the brunt of delivering bad news – hence, “Don’t kill the messenger”

Themes and Motifs in Greek Tragedy Man vs. the gods Gods were powerful but often whimsical and unpredictable. Destiny vs. Free Will – one’s fate and how to deal with it.

Responsibility and Freedom (role of the ruler) His need to fulfill his role to his country, people, self and the gods. Hubris (excessive pride) – see definition on next page

Humans are born to suffer

Sight, Vision, and Truth – those who have eyes often do not “see” and the reverse (Tiresias). Vows and Curses – Apollo’s curse on Cadmus which came to fruition in Oedipus’ life. Loss of Rationality Not thinking well or letting emotions take charge Riddles the sphinx

Main Elements or Divisions of Tragedy – the repeated pattern 1. Prologue – 1 or 2 characters who give background and open the play 2. Parodus – entrance of the chorus where they chant what is to come or respond to opening of the play. 3. Episode – “scene” or each section of plot development

4. Stasimon – the commenting by the chorus after each episode; here the audience gets to know what they think about what has happened. 5. Exodus – short final action (it DOES NOT mean anyone leaves the stage or acting area). Greek Drama Terms ( Memorize!)

1. Hamartia the FLAW or personal quality of the tragic hero that causes his downfall. Common flaws are hubris, greed and ambition. 2. Peripetia – the reversal of action that is the opposite of what is expected by the characters (the downfall).

3. Anagnorsis – the recognition by the tragic hero of his self truth and/or his flaw.

4. Hubris – excessive pride which leads to the desire to control others

5. Catharsis – the cleansing of the audience’s emotions when they experience the tragic hero’s dilemma and as a result feel pity and fear. They learn the same lesson as the hero but are not destroyed by it.

6. Dramatic Irony – words or actions of a character that carry meaning, but the audience knows and understands much more. An example: when Oedipus said he never saw Laius when in actuality WE know he not only saw him but also killed him.

7. Deus ex Machina – a mechanical device that lowered or raised characters from the stage – often used to save them in the nick of time. See drawing of stage on last page.

Greek Names Phoebus Apollo – god of light and truth (god of Delphi); often referred to as just Phoebus or just Apollo.

Delphi – home of Apollo’s oracle

Oracle – place (temple) OR the prophesy (the truth that is told). You can tell which is meant by its use in the sentence. THE THEBAN LEGEND

The Theban Legend: Oedipus’ ancestor Cadmus founded Thebes, but in the process he killed Apollo’s snake. In retribution, Apollo put a curse on the son of Laius – that he would kill his father and marry his mother. WHEN THE PLAY OPENS, THE PROPHESY HAS ALREADY BEEN FULFILLED

Oedipus’ Family Tree

Cadmus Creon (Jocasta’s brother)

Polydorus

Labdacus

Laius ------Jocasta

Oedipus

Antigone (f) Ismene (f) Eteocles (m) Polynices (m)

King and Queen of Corinth: King Polybus and Queen Merope Oedipus’ adoptive parents

Key Fun Facts: 1. Democracy was the kind of government that Athens was developing. 2. Sophocles is the master of dramatic unity. 3. List the three plays in the order THEY WERE WRITTEN: Antigone, Oedipus Rex, and Oedipus at Colonus : often referred to as the Theban plays. List the three plays in CHRONOLOGICAL order: Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone 4. Sophocles’s masterpiece is Oedipus Rex written in 429 B.C. 5. Sophocles wrote 120 plays; seven survive today.