The Golden Age of Ancient Greek Theatre

1. The Golden Age of Ancient Greek Theatre the origins of drama

2. The Origins Of Drama • Plays were created to celebrate ________, the ancient Greek god of the grape harvest, winemaking and wine, and ritual madness and ecstasy.  • He was also known as Bacchus, the name adopted by the Romans

3. Your notes • Plays created to celebrate Dionysus), Greek God of wine and revelry (Bacchus- Roman equivalent)

4. drama • The term comes from a Greek word dran meaning "action," which is derived from “to do.”

5. Your notes • Drama=Greek Dran (Action) from (To do)

6. Thespian • from the name Thespis, the first person ever to appear on stage as an actor playing a character in a play

7. YouR Notes • Thespian=actor from first actor Thespis.

8. the chorus • 15 men • Sang lyric poetry • Performing was regarded as a civic duty • Wore robes and masks

9. Functions of the chorus

10. Functions of the chorus • Agent: • Ideal spectator: • Atmosphere: • “Flair”: • Rhythmical function: • Establishes ethical framework:

11. Functions of the chorus • agent: gives advice, asks questions, takes part • ideal spectator: reacts as playwright hopes audience would • Atmosphere: sets mood and heightens dramatic effects • “Flair”: adds movement, spectacle, song, and dance • rhythmical function: pauses / paces the action so that the audience can reflect. • establishes ethical framework, sets up standard by which action will be judged

12. The TheatreofDionysus • The first plays were performed in the Theatre of Dionysus, built in the shadow of the Acropolis in Athens at the beginning of the 5th century • These theatres proved to be so popular they soon spread all over Greece.

13. Your Notes • The Theatre of Dionysus— 1st Theater; built in shadow of acropolis(big hill in Rome); 5th century

14. Amphitheatres • Plays were performed out-of-doors. • The side of the mountain was scooped out into a bowl shape, something like our amphitheatres today, and tiers of stone seats in concentric semi-circles were built on the hill. • These theatres often seated as many as 20,000 spectators, with a special first row being reserved for dignitaries.

15. Amphitheatres • Outside on side of mountain, bowl shape, like a stadium sort of. • Up to 20,000 • 1st row--dignitaries

16. proskenion

17. Theatron • The theatron (literally, "viewing-place") is where the spectators sat. The theatron was usually part of hillside overlooking the orchestra and often wrapped around a large portion of the orchestra.

18. Orchestra • The orchestra (literally, "dancing space") was normally circular. It was a level space where the chorus would dance, sing, and interact with the actors who were on the stage (called the Proskenion - proh-SKAY-nee-on) in front of the skene. In the center of the orchestra there was often an altar.

19. Skene • The skene - SKAY-nay • (literally, “tent") was the building directly behind the stage in which costumes were stored, and was usually decorated as a palace or building, depending on the needs of the play. It had at least one set of doors, and actors could make entrances and exits through them. Origination of the word “scene.”

20. Skene • (Skay-Nay) buidling behind stage (ProSKene) for costume changes and prop—a castle or whatever needed.

21. The Actors • All of the actors were men. No girls allowed. • The actors played multiple roles, so a wooden, cork, or linen mask was used to show the change in character or mood.

22. The masks were worn for many reasons : • 1. Visibility • 2. Acoustic Assistance • 3. Few Actors, Many Roles • 4. Characterization

23. Making the Mask • http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/middle/Cathy-Greek.htm

24. Example MAsks

25. Example Masks

26. Bad Masks! Hair is good, but The Masks aren’t 3-d!

27. Modern-day replicas Hero-King Comedy (Servant or Herald ) Tragedy (Weeping Chorus)

28. Working in the Space • Because of the distance between actors and the audience, the actors used broad gestures and histrionic speech. • The actor made himself taller by wearing thick-soled shoes and a high head piece. • The masks assisted in projecting the actor’s voice through a type of inside megaphone.

30. Myths played a key rolein Greek drama

31. The Myths – Why they were written • Explained the unexplainable • Justified religious practices • Gave credibility to leaders • Gave hope • Polytheistic (more than one god) • Centered around the twelve Olympians (primary Greek gods)

32. When Echo tried to get Narcissus to love her, she was denied. Saddened, she shriveled to nothing, her existence melting into a rock. Only her voice remained. Hence, the echo! Explained the Unexplainable

33. The ancient citizens of Greece would sacrifice and pray to an ORACLE. An oracle was a priest or priestess who would send a message to the gods from mortals who brought their requests. To give hope What is the origin of hope? After unleashing suffering, famine, disease, and many other evils, the last thing Pandora let out was HOPE.

34. Mask Update

35. Tragedy • The word tragedy came to be derived from the Greek tragos (goat) and ode (poem). Tragedy literally means goat song or goat poem.

36. Why read Tragedy?

37. Why read Tragedy? • Strength of character • Perseverance • Courage • Inspiration • Catharsis

38. Traits of the central character of a tragedy – tragic hero

39. Traits of the central character of a tragedy – tragic hero • of the Elite Class / mighty figure • suffers a Downfall / reversal of fortune • Neither Wholly good • nor wholly evil • Downfall is the • result of a • Fatal Flaw • Endures uncommon • suffering • Recognizes the consequences of his actions

40. Traits of the a tragedy • Misfortunes involve characters who are related or who are friends • Tragic actions take place offstage • Central Character has a moment • of recognition – “Oh, now I get it!” • Audience experiences pity and fear • Pity and Fear leads to a catharsis • Stories based on myth or history, • Focus was on psychological and ethical attributes of characters, rather than physical and sociological

41. SophoclesThe Greatest of the Greek playwrights

42. Contrasts & Symbols • Sight vs. Blindness • Fate vs. Free Will • Action vs. Reflection • Knowledge VS. Ignorance • Innocence VS. Guilt • Abuse of Power VS. Wise Use of Power • High Station and Great Fall • Crossroads • Swollen foot