An introduction to Oedipus and Antigone

Ancient Greek Theatre

Origins of TheatreTheatre began with religious festivals in honor of DionysusDuring the spring, they held a festival in Athens called City DionysiaMen would perform songs to welcome and honor Dionysus (these were called dithyrambs)Plays were only presented during this festivalChorus: group of about fifty who sang and danced Athenians spread these festivals to its allies in order to promote a common identityThere were three t |ypes of plays: | |tragedy, comedy, and satyr|

Origins of Tragedy

Thespis (6th century BC)Known as the “father of drama”Won a prize for tragedy in 535 B.C.Considered the first Greek actor and originator of tragedyWas said to have introduced the first actor and thus, dialogueTragedy originally meant “Goat song,” possibly because goats were sacrificed to Dionysus prior to performances

Aristotle’s Poetics is the first known theory about Greek tragedy.He said tragedy evolved from dithyrambs, songs sung in praise of DionysusDithyrambs were originally frenzied and improvisedBy the 600s B.C., the poet Arion is credited with organizing the song into a formal narrative with a chorusThree main tragedy poets: Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides

Aeschylus

525-426 B.C.Most Famous Works:OresteiaContributions:Added a second actor to the stageCreate trilogies based on unified themes

Sophocles

496-406 B.C.Famous Works:Oedipus Cycle (Oedipus Rex, Antigone, Oedipus and Colonus)Contributions:Added a third actor to the stageFixed the number of chorus to 15Introduced painted sceneryCreated each play of a trilogy as separate in nature

Euripides

486-406 B.C.Famous Works:Medea, ElectraContributions:Reduced the participation of the Chorus in the main action on stageRelied on heavy prologues and deux ex machina endingsDeus ex machina: literally, “god from the machine;” where an actor playing a god was lowered onto the stage using a crane. The gods were used to solve “unsolvable” problems at the end of the play.

Origins of Comedy

There is no trace of the origin of comedyComedic plays were derived from imitationAristophanes wrote the majority of comedy plays11 surviving plays by Aristophanes

The Theatre Structure

Theatron: seeing place where audience satOrchestra: Circular dancing place where actors and Chorus performed.Thymele: altar to Dionysus in center of orchestra.Skene: building used as a dressing room.Proskenion: front of skene building which served as backdropParados: entrance to theater used by Chorus.

Theatre (you should know this)

Actors

Hypocrites- the answerer-playing rolesActor and dramatist originally the same-playwright took leading roleNever have more than three-changed characters (protagonist, deuteragonist, tritagonist)All male performers; played female roles as well.

Costumes and Masks

Long flowing robes were colored symbolicallyHigh boots, often with raised solesLarger than life masks, made of linen, wood, and/or corkIdentified age, gender, and emotionUsed exaggerated features, such as large eyes and an open mouth

Music and Dance

Choral odes often had musical accompaniment:FluteLyrePercussion

Dance was defined as expressive rhythmical movement

Role of the Chorus

To set the overall mood and express themeAdd beauty to the play through song and danceGive background informationDivides the action and offers reflection and commentary on eventsQuestions, advises, and expresses opinion—usually through the chorus leader

Conventions of Theatre

UnitiesAction- simple plotTime- single dayPlace- one scene throughoutMessengerTells news happening away from sceneReport acts of violence not allowed to be seenLimitations of TheaterContinuous presence of ChorusNo intermissions, continuous flow of action and choral odesNo lighting; no curtains