Theater I: Journals & Make-Up Quizzes

Don't forget to see Ms. Yanchak if you missed the quiz on Thursday.  You will not be given class time to make it up; you will need to schedule a before/after school time or come in during lunch.

Friday's Theater I journal entry:

#5 -- Progress -- 9/25

What challenges has your group faced so far in the Primitive Theater Project?  How have you resolved any arguments or disagreements?

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…

Theater I & II: Theater History Notes

·         Theatre began thousands of years ago, probably before the start of recorded history.

·         Early cultures used ritual, dance and storytelling to communicate.

·         Theatre is one of the HUMANITIES; it attempts to answer the questions: “Who am I?” “Why are we here?” and “Where are we going?”

·         A RITUAL is an action performed REPEATEDLY because of its symbolic significance and its ability to evoke the emotions of those engaged in the performance.

·         Through rituals, early humans wanted to:
- Achieve success in battle and hunting
- Ensure adequate sun and rain
- Express their duty to the community and to the gods

·         Common to all traditional cultures, the shaman is a priestly figure who communicates directly with the gods through rituals for the benefit of the community.

·         Rituals were usually performed by elders, priests or shamans.

·         Our knowledge of early theatre and rituals comes from wall painings, artifacts, and hieroglyphics.

·         Rituals often told a story based on the culture’s beliefs.  These stories were often based on MYTH.

·         Myths gained a life beyond the rituals, and began to be performed for entertainment.

·         Myth, Stories, Rituals BECAME Habit, Tradition BECAME Entertainment which BECAME Theatre!

·         The earliest example of ritual evolving into theatre comes from Ancient Egypt.

·         The world’s first report of a dramatic production is an Egyptian drama known as the Abydos Passion Play.
- The play at Abydos is the story of the god Osiris.

Myths and stories have been used to entertain and to educate human beings since
the very beginning of spoken language.

• Stories were told in order to:
- TEACH HISTORY                                                - ENTERTAIN

 - SETTLE ARGUMENTS                                    - HONOR THE GODS

 - MAKE SENSE OF THE WORLD        - COMMUNICATE EXPERIENCES

 - RECORD HISTORY

·         Homer was a blind poet who may have been born on an island in the Aegean Sea (GREEK).

·        He probably composed his works between 700 and 800 B.C.

·         Homer was an ancient Greek epic poet, traditionally said to be the
author of the epic poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey.

·         Homer was one of the first storytellers to use repetition and dialogue in his stories.

·         Homer’s (and others!)  stories provided many of the ideas and plots for playwrights that came after him!

·         Dance is another probable origin of theatre.

·         Dance comes from:
 - animal imitation                        - pantomime
 - gymnastics                                    - rhythmic movement

Dance was often used as part of rituals.