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Greek Theater. Background. History. Classical drama arose in Athens, Greece Part of religious celebrations to honor Dionysus (god of wine & fertility) Drama evolved from classic drama around 6 th century BC. The Theater. Attended by thousands Outdoor style with seats built into hillside
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Greek Theater Background
History • Classical drama arose in Athens, Greece • Part of religious celebrations to honor Dionysus (god of wine & fertility) • Drama evolved from classic drama around 6th century BC
The Theater • Attended by thousands • Outdoor style with seats built into hillside • Stage (raised platform) at bottom of hill • Skene – backdrop & dressing room • Orchestra – circular floor between skene and audience
Actors • All men • Wore elegant robes • Huge masks • Elevated shoes • Sophocles (wrote Antigone) used 3 actors for the play • Changed masks & robes to change characters
Chorus • A group of 15 • Commented on action of play • Choragus (leader) participates in dialogue with characters • Between scenes sang songs that gave insight into the message of the play
Tragedy • A drama that recounts the downfall of a dignified, superior character who is involved in historically or socially significant events
Tragic Hero • Protagonist • In conflict with an opposing force, the antagonist
Tragic Flaw • Possessed by the tragic hero • Brings about or contributes to his/her downfall
Tragic Flaw, cont… • Flaw may be • Poor judgment • Pride • Weakness • Excess of admirable quality • Tragic hero recognizes his/her flaw and its consequences but only after it is too late to change the course of events
Action of the Tragedy • Builds from one event to the next • Finally a catastrophe that leads to the final disastrous conclusion • Twists of fate play a key role in the hero’s destruction
THREE UNITIES • Unity of action – tightly linked cause and effect. • Unity of time – occurs in a twenty-four hour period. • Unity of place – occurs in one place.
FOIL – character who provides contrast to another…Ismene and Antigone • MOTIF- repeated idea or event…Creon’s accusations of conspiracy. • PARADOX – statement that seems contradictory but actually presents a truth. Creon’s statement…”A fortune won is often misfortune.” The blind Teresias sees all. • ALLUSION- reference to a well-known work, person, event. The chorus mentions suffering of individuals from Greek myths.
What do you know??? • The plots in Greek drama were based on _______, so the audience knew the story beforehand. Knowing what happens before the characters do is called _________ _________.
Greek drama was a _____ ceremony. It was partially funded by the state. The rituals from which drama is thought to originate were performed in honor of the god _____.
No ____ acted. • No ____ was shown on stage; instead, it was reported by messengers. • Performances occurred in _____light in open air theaters carved into _____. • The ____advised the characters, gave background information, and interpreted events.
______ is a type of drama in which the ______ undergoes a morally significant struggle which ends disastrously. • The tragic hero has a ___ which contributes to his downfall. • The hero is not evil. • He is a person of ____ who undergoes a reversal of ____. • He accepts _____ for his actions.