The Origins of Greek The Origins of Greek TheaterTheater

Thespis: The First Actor EVER!Thespis: The First Actor EVER!

(In the Western World)(In the Western World)

Sophocles made several Sophocles made several innovations to Greek Dramainnovations to Greek Drama

Human rather than religious concernsHuman rather than religious concerns Intro of 3Intro of 3rdrd actor actorLarger chorus (from 12 to 15)Larger chorus (from 12 to 15)Painted setsPainted setsSome strong female rolesSome strong female roles

Sophocles: born in 496BC, died in 406BC!Sophocles: born in 496BC, died in 406BC!

The Function of the Greek The Function of the Greek ChorusChorus

Divided the scenesDivided the scenesRepresented the common viewpointRepresented the common viewpointRepresented the conscience of the Represented the conscience of the

protagonist/devil’s advocateprotagonist/devil’s advocateDanced, sang, chanted - got the Danced, sang, chanted - got the

audience involvedaudience involvedChoragos: Leader of the chorusChoragos: Leader of the chorus

66thth Century BC Century BC(535BC – Debut of Thespis(535BC – Debut of Thespis))

City States (Athens, Thebes, Sparta, Corinth)City States (Athens, Thebes, Sparta, Corinth) Festival of Dionysos (god of partying)Festival of Dionysos (god of partying) Dramatists submitted 3 plays and 1 satyr (short Dramatists submitted 3 plays and 1 satyr (short

comedy)comedy) Funded by private and public moneyFunded by private and public money All could attend (but mostly men)All could attend (but mostly men) Foreign dignitaries invitedForeign dignitaries invited Audience is active, even aggressiveAudience is active, even aggressive Sparse, only most necessary details included - Sparse, only most necessary details included -

sets up later questionssets up later questions

Ancient Greek TheatersAncient Greek Theaters

Amphitheaters - outdoorsAmphitheaters - outdoorsCould seat up to 14,000 peopleCould seat up to 14,000 peopleBuilt on hillsides, spectacular viewsBuilt on hillsides, spectacular viewsGreat acousticsGreat acousticsSkene – building behind stage Skene – building behind stage

(dressing room) painting as backdrop(dressing room) painting as backdropOrchestra – below stage, where Orchestra – below stage, where

chorus dancedchorus danced

Staging of PlaysStaging of Plays

Festival of Dionysos (god of wine and Festival of Dionysos (god of wine and fertility)fertility)

Prologue – established conflict, Prologue – established conflict, expositionexposition

Parodos – entrance of chorusParodos – entrance of chorus4 scenes – build up and resolve conflict4 scenes – build up and resolve conflictScenes separated by Odes or Stasimon Scenes separated by Odes or Stasimon

(strophes and antistrophes) by chorus(strophes and antistrophes) by chorusExodos -resolutionExodos -resolution

Staging ContinuedStaging Continued

Actors wore giant masks with funnel Actors wore giant masks with funnel mouthpiecesmouthpieces

They wore platform shoesThey wore platform shoesStories based on myths/legendsStories based on myths/legendsNo violence on stage – only reports No violence on stage – only reports

of itof itCranes brought in ghosts or godsCranes brought in ghosts or gods

The The OedipusOedipus Trilogy by Trilogy by SophoclesSophocles

Written: Antigone, Oedipus the King, Written: Antigone, Oedipus the King, Oedipus at ColonusOedipus at Colonus

Chronology: Oedipus the King, Chronology: Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, AntigoneOedipus at Colonus, Antigone

Terms and DefinitionsTerms and Definitions

Tragic Flaw: Character flaw that brings about the Tragic Flaw: Character flaw that brings about the demise of a characterdemise of a character

Literary Foil: Mirror image. A character with Literary Foil: Mirror image. A character with opposite traits to the protagonist, or one with opposite traits to the protagonist, or one with similar traits.similar traits.

Situational Irony: The opposite of what we expect Situational Irony: The opposite of what we expect happenshappens

Dramatic Irony: Audience knows what character Dramatic Irony: Audience knows what character does not knowdoes not know

Decorum: Proper behavior and dress in literature Decorum: Proper behavior and dress in literature and playsand plays

Hamartia: Archery term for missing of the mark – Hamartia: Archery term for missing of the mark – error that causes downfallerror that causes downfall

Roles of WomenRoles of Women

Subservient to menSubservient to menVictims and innocent bystandersVictims and innocent bystandersTo be seen and not heardTo be seen and not heard In change of the home, kids, and In change of the home, kids, and

slavesslavesNecessary for procreation, but not fit Necessary for procreation, but not fit

for intellectual companionshipfor intellectual companionshipConsidered the property of menConsidered the property of men

Athens in the Ancient Greek Athens in the Ancient Greek World World

Golden Age: 479 to 404 BCGolden Age: 479 to 404 BC Defeated the Persians in 479 BC Defeated the Persians in 479 BC Fell to Sparta in 404 BCFell to Sparta in 404 BC Democracy was born hereDemocracy was born here Athletics was importantAthletics was important Art flourishedArt flourished Science thrivedScience thrived Philosophy ruledPhilosophy ruled Athens was a beacon of civilization. Many of Athens was a beacon of civilization. Many of

our modern western ideas about government, our modern western ideas about government, literature and the arts, and science came from literature and the arts, and science came from here.here.