Introduction to Greek Drama

Introduction to Greek Drama English II PAP Mr. Sands

SOPHOCLES • Born in Colonus, Greece in 497 B.C. • Died in 406 B. C. at approximately 90 years old • Lived during the Golden Age of Greece • 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 B.C., and a general in 440 B.C.

Sophocles as a Playwright • In the drama festivals of his day, he won the first place prize for best play twenty-four times. • He wrote more than a hundred plays but only seven remain. The most famous of his plays being: Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, Antigone and Electra.

Sophocles’ Impact on Drama • Expanded its format by adding a third actor • Increased dialogue • Decreased the importance of the chorus by fixing its number at 15 • Invented painted scenery and added flute music in the background • Made each play of a trilogy stand by itself as a separate story

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

The Greek Theatre *like an outdoor stadium that could hold from 15,000 – 20,000 people

The Greek Theatre • Semi-circular in shape • 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

Greeks’ Special Effects • deus ex machina (“god from the machine”) = type of crane used for suspending figures who portrayed gods • eccylema = moveable or revolving platform • There were no curtains, intermissions, lights, or microphones. Because of this, all scenes took place in daylight settings, all scenes changes had to be built into the dialogue of the actors and the chorus and actors had to have strong voices

The Actors • Only 3 actors that wore masks to play multiple parts • All actors were men because it was considered undignified for women to appear on stage • 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

The Chorus • Consisted of singers and dancers led by a conductor • Started out with 50 people but Sophocles fixed the number at 15 • 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 • Foretell the future by interpreting the actions of the actors

The Stories • Originally hymns and prayers honoring the gods, especially Dionysus • Over time, content changed to legends of Greek leaders and heroes • Tragedy = showed what happened to a person who went against the laws of the gods or who was too proud

Tragedy • 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 • Man’s fault = pride, a mistaken belief that he could somehow avoid fate or the will of the gods

Hubris • Excessive pride • Leads to suffering and then to an understanding (catharsis) of man’s place in the system of life • The audience was to learn a lesson through the tragedies that befell the characters on stage because they did not follow the will of the gods or because they tried to avoid their own destiny based in hubris

Origin of Drama • Developed by ancient Greeks during celebrations honoring Dionysus • Dionysus = god of the vine which produced grapes for wine; associated with resurrection and suffering • Because of the choral songs, the early Greek plays resembled what we call opera today

Festival of Dionysus • Took place in Athens during 5 days in March or April • First day = procession honoring Dionysus in which all citizens participated • Second day = the choral songs were performed • Last 3 days = three tragedies followed by one satyr (satire – mock heroic tragedies) play and one comedy were performed

Festival of Dionysus cont. • The archon, a state official, selected three poets to compete for the prizes in the tragedy division. • The choregus, a wealthy, prominent citizen of Athens, was required by law to pay for the cost of training and costumes for the chorus. • A jury of 10 citizens selected the winning poet • 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

Antigone • Third of Sophocles’ Theban plays • Antigone = Oedipus’ daughter; princess of Thebes • Breaks the law to bury her brother who has been labeled a traitor by the king, her uncle.

Oedipus Background • Look at the Oedipus Family Tree…do you notice anything strange? • Read the Oedipus handout and answer the corresponding questions

The Oedipus Family Tree The Perfect Jerry Springer Episode

King Oedipus married Queen Jocasta (his mother-ewww!) They had 4 children (Eww): -Eteocles -Antigone -Polynices -Ismene / / Sons (O’s brothers?) Daughters (sisters?) Fight for Thebes Go back to Thebes Cursed by dying father Kill each other

King Creon of Thebes married Queen Eurydice Creon is Oedipus’ uncle, Jocasta’s brother (also Oedipus’ brother-in-law) They have two sons: Megareus Haemon / / dies during betrothed to Antigone, siege of Thebes his cousin

Sources • Jessica Nugent – CHHS, Colleyville, TX • Stefanie Tziarri – Lawrence High School, Mercer County, NJ

Introduction to Greek Drama