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Dramatic Conventions

Dramatic Conventions. Tragedy pt.1. Developed these by drawing from myth Shows humans and gods under pressure and acting in contradictory ways It would often show how divine order can come from tragedy. Tragedy pt.2. The Plays always opened late in the story’s action

emery-kaufman
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Dramatic Conventions

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  1. Dramatic Conventions

  2. Tragedy pt.1 • Developed these by drawing from myth • Shows humans and gods under pressure and acting in contradictory ways • It would often show how divine order can come from tragedy.

  3. Tragedy pt.2 • The Plays always opened late in the story’s action • The characters experience intense pressures until they are forced into irreversible acts. • The plays usually cover a very short period of time, often building to a climax and resolution quickly. • Most tragedies ended pointlessly with a god descending to “save the day”

  4. Odes and Episodes • All scenes of violence occur via eye witnesses • Each episode is separated by an ode • The chorus moves and chants while action is suspended • The ode gives historical background, mood and atmosphere

  5. Odes and Episodes cont’ • The job of the chorus changed from antagonist to becoming the voice of humanity • Playwrights began using debates between two main characters to develop interest • The hero will then burst with emotion • A messenger would then deliver a message of despair

  6. Aristotle’s perspective • Lectured on drama stating that it was an imitation of an action with serious implication • He felt it showed characters with morals trying to prove some thesis

  7. The Six Elements • Plot • Character • Thought • Verbal Expression • Song Composition • Visual Effects

  8. THE PLOT • Can be either simple or complex • Simple – Reversal from good to bad occurs without the hero coming to a new understanding • Complex – The character goes from ignorance to understanding. Also the reversal take place over a long period of time

  9. Satyr Plays • Usually a comic afterpiece to the three tragedies before it • The chorus were mythical goat men who told the story • Divided into five sections by four choral odes and parody a serious story • After the fifth century these stopped existing in dramatic form

  10. Comedy • Commented on social, political, literary and military in a ludicrous and exaggerated idea. • There are two parts • First contains a prologue, intro of chorus and a debate • An ode that is directed to the audience • Second shows the results of the scheme

  11. Menander • Introduced a new type of comedy • After the Peloponnesian war the public wanted something new • Centered his idea around issues of love, property, and family relationships

  12. Roman Comedy • Plautus began using music throughout his play • Dealt with the affairs of the upper class • The plot is based on a misunderstanding • Very much character driven • All action takes place on the street • Actors had to explain what happened inside a building

  13. Roman Tragedy • Used a five act model • Consisted of elaborate speeches, moral statements, deeds illustrating the effects of emotion, and lots of violence.

  14. Other form of entertainment • Fabula Atellana: short farces that involved trickery and cheating • Mime: Known for violent and obscene events. Done by traveling mime troupes. Due to this the Christian church was against them. This caused the mimes to retaliate • Pantomime: Silent acting, narrated by a chorus

  15. Euripides • Considered the most tragic of the playwrights • Centered his plays around dark materials • Also considered the most modern due to his approach

  16. Representative Play The Trojan Women By Euripides 415 BC

  17. The Tragic action • An antiwar play • Enacted the plights of the unforgotten victims (women and children) • All men have been killed and the women and children await to become slaves • The actors movement is restricted • Each person is then given to their new master

  18. The Scene • An open space before a partly demolished city • Two masked actors (Poseidon and Athene speak the prologue • Discusses the treachery of the Greeks • There are two semi choruses • Each episode shows different women learning their fate being announced by Talthybius

  19. The character • Main characters respond to their experiences with ordinary emotions • The characters all exhibit human qualities so the audience can connect

  20. Summary • Western Theatre grew out of ancient Greek religious rituals • Rome built stone theatres of which some are still standing • In 1974, Fragments of a trilogy was presented in New York. It include three plays written by Euripides.

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