Characteristics of Greek Theatre

Performed for special occasions (Festivals to worship the Gods)Competitive- 3 playwrights competed, as did actorsChoral singing was important. The chorus was all men and varied from 3 to 50 people.Closely associated with religion. Stories were based on myth and history.

The ActorsThe actors wore large, colorful, decorative robes

They wore extra-large white gloves

They wore masks that had over-exaggerated features and contained large mouths that were shaped like a megaphone

They wore large, platform shoes

They were all men, and only one-three actors played all of the parts

The Dramatic Structure

Ancient Greek Theatre

The Prologue

The opening portion of the play that sets the

scene and contains the exposition.

The Parados

The entrance song

of the chorus.

Episodes

Scenes in the action of the drama. The episodes are performed by the actors. There are usually four episodes in a Greek tragedy.

Stasimons (Odes)

Choral passages alternating with the episodes of the plot of the drama. The chorus sang and danced these tragic odes. There are usually four stasimons in a Greek tragedy.

The Strophe & The Antistrophe

During the strophe, the chorus danced one way around the orchestra.

During the antistrophe, the chorus changed directions and went the opposite way around the orchestra.

The Exodos

The concluding section of the tragedy that ends with the chorus singing their final lines as they exit.

Characteristics of a Greek Tragedy

Characteristics of Greek Tragedy

Late point of attackViolence and death offstageFrequent use of messengers to relate informationContinuous time of actionSingle settingStories based on mythsFocus is on the psychological and ethical attributes of characters, not physical and sociological.

Characteristics of a Tragic Hero

The tragic hero is a character of noble stature and greatness. The character must occupy a high position in society.

The tragic hero is good, but they are not perfect. The audience should be able to identify with the hero.

Peripeteia

A reversal of intention:

something occurs that is the opposite of what the hero intended.

The character brings about his own downfall. Usually, this occurs through hamartia, their tragic flaw.

The hero undergoes anagnorisis: a scene of recognition where the character makes a critical discovery

The fall is not pure loss. The hero usually gains some self-knowledge or learns something because of their fall.

The hero undergoes a reversal of fortune. Their status at the end of the tragedy is completely diminished.

Catastrophe

There is often a final scene of suffering, such as death on stage, bodily injury, or wounds.

The hero’s misfortune is not entirely deserved. Their punishment is usually greater than their crime.