Theater II & III: Greek Theater Notes

Theater II and III Greek Theater notes:

Greek Theater

Or “Tragedy tomorrow, Comedy tonight!”

 

Dionysus:

GREEK DRAMA BEGAN AS A FORM OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP TO THE GREEK GOD,  DIONYSUS.

Dionysus and Religious Worship:

DIONYSUS IS THE GOD OF WINE AND VEGETATION.

DIONYSUS WAS BELIEVED TO DIE EACH WINTER AND WAS REBORN IN THE SPRING.

THIS CYCLICAL REVIVAL, WITH THE SEASONAL RENEWAL OF THE FRUITS OF THE EARTH, EMBODIED THE PROMISE OF RESURRECTION. 

YEARLY RIGHTS TO DIONYSUS EVOLVED INTO THE STRUCTURED FORM OF GREEK DRAMA

Dionysian Festival:

THE GREATER DIONYSIA WAS HELD FOR FIVE DAYS DURING THE SPRING.

EACH WRITER WOULD PRESENT THREE TRAGEDIES AND A SATYR PLAY.

What word in English is “satyr” similar to?

A SATYR PLAY IS A FARCICAL, OFTEN BAWDY PARODY OF THE GODS AND THEIR MYTHS.

PEOPLE WOULD SIT THROUGH THE PLAYS IN THE THEATER AND WOULD VOTE FOR THEIR FAVORITE PLAYS BY CASTING BALLOTS. 

Parts of a Greek Tragedy

Your project will require you to have knowledge of the various parts of a traditional Greek tragedy.

Here are some definitions and facts to help your group out!

1. Prologue

A monologue or dialogue preceding the entry of the chorus, which presents the tragedy's topic.

Example: The “prologue” in Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet operates much like a Greek prologue.
“Two households, both alike in dignity, 
    In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, 

From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, 
    Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.

From forth the fatal loins of these two foes 
    A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life…”

2. Parados

The entering lyric of the Chorus which explains background information.

Example: In Antigone, the entrance of the Chorus tells us that the war has left Antigone’s brothers dead – and that the king has forbidden any burial for one.

3. Episodes

Parts of the play where characters perform/act out the events.

Example: Think of an episode of your favorite TV show.  Actors act out the events – but don’t comment on it.

In a Greek tragedy episode, the only character who can comment on the action is the Chorus.
Think of Bernie Mac in The Bernie Mac Show.

4. Choral Odes

The Chorus speaks about the THEME of the story by using metaphor, simile, or an anecdote.

Example: In musicals, the characters sometimes burst into song to sing about their thoughts about the action of the play.  It’s sort of like that.

5. Exodus

As the characters leave, the Chorus tells us what we should have learned from the story.

Example: The EPILOGUE of a great many Shakespeare plays or the MORAL of the story.
Think of Aesop’s Fables…