Introduction to Greek Drama

Introduction to Greek Drama

Origin of Drama • Drama was developed by the ancient Greeks during celebrations honoring Dionysus. • Dionysus is the god of the vine, which produces grapes for wine. Wine was associated with resurrection and suffering. • With the inclusion of many choral songs, the early Greek plays resembled what we call opera today.

Festival of Dionysus • The Festival of Dionysus took place in Athens over five days in March or April. • During the first day, their was a procession honoring Dionysus - all citizens participated. • During the festival’s second day, the choral songs were performed. • On the last three days of the festival, the actors performed three tragedies, one satyr (satire – mock heroic tragedies) play, and one comedy.

Festival of Dionysus • The choregus, a wealthy, prominent citizen of Athens, was required by law to pay for the cost of training and costumes for the chorus. • The playwright served as a sort of teacher, offering plays for the ethical and moral improvement of his fellow citizens to insure the spiritual survival of the community.

The Greek Theatre • Theatron = area of seats for the audience hollowed out from the hillside • Orchestra = large area in front of the stage where the chorus sang and danced • Thymele = the altar centered in the orchestra used for sacrifices to Dionysus • Parados = walled walkway used by the chorus to enter and exit the stage • Pro-scenium = a long, low stage behind the orchestra • Skene = building that contained the actors’ dressing rooms

The Greek Theatre The Greek Theatre was similar to an outdoor stadium that could hold between 15,000 – 20,000 people.

Greek Theater

Greeks’ Special Effects • There were no curtains, intermissions, lights, or microphones. • Consequently, all scenes took place in daylight settings • All scene changes built into the actor’s dialogue • The chorus and actors had to have strong voices

Greeks’ Special Effects

The Actors • The Greek name for an actor was “hypocrite.” • Only 3 actors, they wore masks to play multiple parts. • All actors were men, considered undignified for women to appear on stage • Actors wore padded costumes, wigs, and high-heeled boots to make them taller and give them added dignity and power. • Actors had to be able to speak in poetic language and sing using a loud and clear voice. • Acting was more • Expressive than realistic

The Chorus • The chorus was led by a conductor and consisted of singers and dancers who moved and sang together, acting as one character. • A Choral Ode was chanted or sung in unison. • Originally, they Chorus started out with 50 people, but Sophocles fixed the number at 15.

The Chorus • The playwright used the chorus and their songs to: • Add the beauty of song and dance. • Set the mood or express the main themes of the play by commenting on the action. • Create a bridge between the actors and the audience. • Converse with and give advice to the actors. • Tell about events that have already happened in the past. (narrator) • Foretell the future by interpreting the actions of the actors.

The Stories • Originally, the stories were hymns and prayers honoring the gods, especially Dionysus. • Over time, the content of the stories changed to legends of Greek leaders and heroes.

Tragedy • In a tragedy, the plot revealed what happened to a person who went against the laws of the gods or who was too proud • This stems from the Greek belief that man was subject to the whims of the gods and fate. • The root of Greek tragedy is that man can not avoid suffering. • In nearly all tragedies, man’s biggest fault is excessive pride – a mistaken belief that he could somehow avoid fate or the will of the gods.

Greek Tragic Hero • The Greek tragic hero had to be a man or woman capable of great suffering • The tragic hero is brought to disaster by hamartia, or a single flaw in a person’s character.

Hubris • Hubris is defined as excessive pride. • Think of at least three modern examples of characters whose downfall is caused by their hubris. • Hubris leaves leads to suffering and then to an understanding (catharsis) of man’s place in the system of life. • Catharsis is an emotional release caused by an intense emotional experience. • The purpose of a Greek tragedy is to learn a lesson through the catastrophes that befall the characters on stage and to understand that their misfortunes are a result of not following the will of the Gods or trying to avoid their own destinies because of hubris.

Structure of a Greek Tragedy • Prologue – the actors present the opening situation on stage • Parados – the entering song and dance of the chorus • Episodes – periods of more action by the actors • Stasima/Stasimon – choral ode or song commenting on the action • Exodus – the last action of the play

SOPHOCLES • Sophocles was born in Colonus, Greece in 497 BCE • He died in 406 BCE at approximately 90 years of age. • He Lived during the Golden Age ofl Greece • (The Golden Age of Greece was from approximately 800 BCE to 300 BCE) • He was a successful musician, athlete, and respected playwright. • He was also active in social and political life. • He held several priesthoods, was imperial treasurer in 443 BCE, and a general in 440 BCE

Sophocles as a Playwright • He wrote more than a hundred plays but only seven remain. • The most famous of his plays are: Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, Antigone, and Electra.

Sophocles’ Impact on Drama • Sophocles expanded the format of drama by adding a third actor. • He increased the amount of dialogue within a play. • He decreased the importance of the chorus by fixing its number at 15. • He invented painted scenery and added flute music in the background of his plays. • He made each play of a trilogy stand by itself as a separate story.

Actors • No tragedy used more • than 3 actors • Costumes included • character masks, and • in later years, raised boots

Tragic Structure • PROLOGOS: Introductory scene • PARADOS: Entry of chorus • EPISODEION – Scenes • Exodus - Final Scene • Epode-Final Ode

Introduction to Greek Drama