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Ancient Greek Theater

Ancient Greek Theater. Drama – (Greek) “to do” or “to act” Tragedy – (Greek) “goat song”. Two masks represent Greek theater, specifically its golden age: around 500-300 BCE. One stands for comedy and the other tragedy. Reasons see emotion from the cheap seats 2. d istinguish

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Ancient Greek Theater

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  1. Ancient Greek Theater Drama – (Greek) “to do” or “to act” Tragedy – (Greek) “goat song”

  2. Two masks represent Greek theater, specifically its golden age: around 500-300 BCE. One stands for comedy and the other tragedy. Reasons • see emotion from the cheap seats 2. distinguish characters played by the same actor 3. amplify actors’ voices

  3. Theater of Ancient Greece -male performers who wore long, flowing robes and huge linen or wooden masks -actors played multiple roles -plays written for contests at festivals honoring Dionysus – the god of wine -began as singing and dancing; evolved to choral songs; evolved to acting out the words of the songs; evolved to spoken dialogue -contest honored best comedy, best tragedy, and best choral ode (many don’t survive -many of these contest winning productions do not survive -most plays involve a chorus – a group of singers who comment on the action

  4. Performances -outdoor arenas like the one below at Epidaurus -built to transmit sound, but actors still had to yell and gesture -theaters built on a hillside to give all a decent view -orchestra – round area at foot of hill for the chorus -stage - just above the chorus -skene = small area behind the stage where actors changed masks, waited for cues, etc. (scenery comes from skene)

  5. Sophocles of Colonus (496?-406? BCE) -son of a wealthy nobleman -educated in music, athletics, etc. -actor in his youth – usually part of chorus

  6. Sophocles -began winning dramatic contests at age 28 -won the top prize more than 20 times at the Dionysian festivals; many 2nd prizes also -wrote over 100 plays, but only 7 survive -twice elected to serve as one of the ten officials of Athens

  7. Sophocles’ Trademarks -themes: the plights, decisions and fates of individuals (He’s credited with the shift from all religious themes to examination of purpose and the individual.) -use of chorus: comment on the action, foretell the future, interpret past events Actor Euiaon in Sophocles’ Andromeda, around 430 BCE

  8. Antigone -set in the city-state Thebes -chorus represents Theban elders -second in a series of plays; sequel to Oedipus the King ------------------------------------------------------------- How would you respond if a trusted source predicted that your child would someday kill you? If you believed that prediction, what would be your options?

  9. Oedipus the King (precursor to Antigone) -Prophesy about baby Oedipus: he’s destined to kill his father and marry his mother. -Parents send him away; Oedipus never knows he’s of a royal family. -Oedipus takes part in an uprising as a young man; Kills his father in battle and marries his mother, Jocasta, becoming King of Thebes. Jocasta and Oedipus have four children; one is Antigone. -Eventually, Oedipus learns the truth. How might he react? What might he do?

  10. Oedipus the King (precursor to Antigone) -Oedipus blinded and banished himself, leaving his brother-in-law and his two sons in charge. -Daughters Antigone and Ismene wandered with Oedipus during his banishment. -Oedipus died and his daughters returned to Thebes. Dispute has arisen between Oedipus’ sons. Polynices brings an army from Argos against Thebes. The brothers kill one another in battle. -Creon orders that Eteocles be buried with honors, but that Polynices be unburied, condemning his soul to eternal unrest.

  11. Eteokles and Polyneikes by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo (1696–1770)

  12. Cast of Characters Antigone Ismene Creon Guard Haemon Teiresias Boy Messenger Eurydice Servant Chorus

  13. Antigone Vocabulary Bereaved (p. 3) Mettle (p. 3) Irrelevant (p. 4) Agape (p. 5) Ostentatious (p. 5) Curtail (p. 6) Precipice (p. 7) Dithering (p. 7) Obliged (p. 9) Depravity (p. 9) Divulge (p. 9) Wrath (p. 11) Libations (p. 12) Absolved (p. 12) Skulking (p. 14) Adversity (p. 14) Deterrent (p. 15) Vie (p. 16) Flagrantly (p. 17) Anarchy (p. 17) Torrents (p. 18) Brazen (p. 22) Malice (p. 22) Vindictive (p. 23) Obstinacy (p. 24) Folly (p. 24) Unorthodox (p. 26) Placating (p. 27) Ominous (p. 28) Rash (p. 28)

  14. As you read, consider… -Does the chorus express the opinions, values, and feelings of society? Of Sophocles? Of the audience? -What role has Oedipus’ tragic end played in the current drama? -What role have characters’ decisions played in the current drama? -How does Sophocles use comparisons to help readers understand?

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