Ancient Greek Drama

1. Ancient Greek Drama

2. Development of Greek Drama • Began twenty-five hundred years ago • Originated in Athens • Part of the four religious festivals associated with the annual grape harvest held between December and March • Greek dramatic displays originated with festivals honoring Dionysis, the god of wine and revelry • Festivals consisted of animal sacrifices, parades and dramatic contests

3. Social customs of Athenian society • Only men had full citizenship • Slaves had no rights • Women had only certain privileges defined by marriage

4. Performances • 3 daily performances • Entire population invited; free admission • Daytime performances • Annual drama competitions in Athens were spread over several, entire days • Actors probably wore little or no makeup. Instead, they carried masks with exaggerated facial expressions. • They also wore cothornos, which were leather boots laced up to the knees. • Little or no scenery.

5. Amphitheaters • Immense scale – Theater of Dionysis in Athens measures 150 feet across (size of a football field) and seats 15-17 thousand spectators • Skene- rectangular building behind the orchestra, decorated with backdrops of painted scenery or props • During this time, major theatres were constructed, notably the theatre at Delphi, the Attic Theatre and the Theatre of Dionysus in Athens. • At the heart of the semicircular amphitheater, and at its lowest level, stood the orchestra, where the chorus performed; the altar of Dionysis stood here. • Orchestra was ringed on three sides by raked seats

6. Amphitheaters

7. Amphitheaters Layout

8. Classical Tragedy • Tragedy, derived from the Greek words tragos (goat) and ode (song), told a story that was intended to teach religious lessons. • Much like Biblical parables, tragedies were designed to show the right and wrong paths in life. • Tragedies were not simply plays with bad endings, nor were they simply spectacles devised to make the audience laugh and cry. • Whatever the root cause, the protagonist's ultimate collision with fate, reality, or society is inevitable and irrevocable. • Classical tragedy – definite written structure; no intermission

9. Sophocles & Theme of Prophecy • In 468 BC, Aeschylus was defeated in the tragedy competition by Sophocles. Sophocles' contribution to drama was the addition of a third actor and an emphasis on drama between humans rather than between humans and gods. • Sophocles questioned the Greek beliefs in the Gods • Apollo “The Sun God,” also closely associated with Delphi, was believed to give the gift of prophecy to some mortals. • Theme of Prophesy – gods allow events to take place; already devised plan for mankind • Sophocles' plays are suffused with irony. • Irony: an outcome of events contrary to what was, or might have been, expected. • Dramatic Irony: irony that is inherent in speeches or a situation of a drama and is understood by the audience but not grasped by the characters in the play.

10. Basic Structure of Greek Tragedy

11. Oedipus the King Main characters Minor Characters A priest of Zeus Messenger from Corinth Palace messenger A shepard Oedipus’s daughters Antigone Ismene Chorus: citizens, commentary, change of time/place; they are spectators • Oedipus – King of Thebes • Jocasta – Queen, Wife of Oedipus • Creon – Jocasta’s brother • Tiresias – The blind prophet

12. Oedipus the King Places to Know: Corinth: nearby city, ruled by King Polybus and Queen Merope Oedipus’ parents, Polybus and Merobe Delphi: City of the oracle • Thebes: main action, city with plague • Lauis’ death at the three crossroads • A strange plague • A kingdom without a king • The terror of the Sphinx (part lion, part bird, part woman) • What walks on four legs, then two legs, then three legs?

13. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNAM3PzGcow BBC Greatest Show on Earth: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf9cDKqwhQw

14. Map of Greece/Places of Interest