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PREVIEW Think of a no-win situation in which you (or someone) would be forced to choose between the “lesser of two evils.” Outline the situation in a few complete sentences and examine how one would choose which of the alternatives was the BEST. Conclude by suggesting possible consequences for your choice.
Dionysus • Greek God of Wine and Harvest • Greek theater originally celebrated him • People attended yearly festivals honoring Dionysus (about 15,000) called the City Dionysia
CITY DIONYSIA Three tragic poets were chosen to present a tetralogy (a group of four plays), three tragedies and a satyr play. Early in the 5th century BC, these would have formed a trilogy. Later, they were usually self-contained dramas. Winners were selected by judges.
Greek Drama • All actors were men, regardless of the role. • Never more than 3 actors in any scene. • Wore masks to indicate the nature of the characters played. These masks also served as megaphones to project their voices. • The chorus (12-15 men) who periodically sang songs during the performance and between scenes • Violence and death are off stage
The Greek Chorus • They provided time for scene changes, introduced background and summary information. • Their dance and chanting provided the visionary experience that separated audience from the actor and the essence of tragedy. • Ideal spectator: reacts as the audience should. Asks questions, takes part in the play • Heightens dramatic effect through movement, song and dance • Rhythmical Function-pauses/paces the action so audience can reflect and actors can rest/prepare
Greek Tragedy • Most tragedies were based on myth, but the background would have been known well by the audience. • The hero faces a situation where any action or lack of action would result in punishment • Sometimes it is the protagonist’s (1st actor) own fault due to hubris (arrogant pride) • Of the hundreds of Greek tragedies written, fewer than 35 survive.
Aeschylus • The Father of Greek Tragedy • He introduced the 2nd actor (previously the actor had simply interacted with the chorus) so there could be conflict. • He won 13 first place awards in City Dionysia. • The Persians • The Oresteia (a trilogy) • Agamemnon • The Libation Bearers • The Eumenides • Prometheus Bound 525-456 B.C.
Oresteia • The only connected trilogy that survives. • This trilogy traces the story of the House of Atreus from Agamemnon's murder by his wife after his return from Troy to the acquittal of his son, Orestes, who killed his mother in revenge.
Sophocles Most Awarded Playwright – won 24 competitions and never worse than second place. Added a third actor and thereby reduced the importance of the chorus in the presentation of the plot. Antigone Oedipus the King 496-406 B.C.
ANTIGONE By far the greatest part of happiness is plain good sense. Right treatment of the gods is all-important. Boastful words, spoken by boastful people, bring no good: Great blows will always fall upon the proud, and in the end these mighty blows bring wisdom.
Euripides • Portrayed strong female characters and intelligent slaves. He also satirized mythological heroes. • Only won 5 competitions due to his unpopularity among Athenians because of his radical themes. • Medea(Describes how a mother kills her children to gain revenge against their father) 480-406 B.C.
Greek Comedies • Most surviving comedies come from one playwright, Aristophanes. • Most comedies were about current events (Think Saturday Night Live) which might explain why they didn’t stand the test of time
Aristophanes The Wasps (actors wear wasp costumes as they play jurors showing how juries (especially Athenian ones) can sting painfully.) The Birds (some people get fed up with Athens, so they grow wings and set up a new society in the sky, called Cloudcuckooland.) Lysistrata(women all over Greece go on strike. They seize the acropolis and refuse to have anything to do with their husbands until men agree to end the Peloponnesian War.) 446-386 B.C.
