Greek Drama Out of Ritual Greek drama was

Greek Drama - Out of Ritual Greek drama was rooted in religion not entertainment Greek drama grew out of religious rituals honoring Dionysos God of wine and fertility Modern public rituals would be the Olympic games, singing the national anthem before sports events graduation ceremonies, weddings, etc

Dionysian celebrations Worshipers would dance around the altar Worshipers would sing hymns to the wild passionate accompaniment of the flute During 6 th century BC festivals became annual events

Dionysian Celebrations Became annual festivals held in Athens Participants began competing for prize – a bull or a goat Tradition has it that Thespis transformed the hymns into songs that honored Dionysius but also told stories of a hero or another god

Thespis Transformed hymns into songs that honored Dionysos and told story of a famous hero or another god. Added : a member of the chorus would step out from the others and play the part of the hero or god Actor wore a mask and talked with the chorus

Masks Actors spoke their lines from behind giant masks Masks had exaggerated mouthpieces that amplified actor’s voice By switching masks, actors could play several roles

Birth of drama Aeschylus added a second individual actor to the performance Conflict created

Dionysia – the four day celebration Businesses closed, Priosoners were released on bail 14, 000 or more people gathered to watch competition for best tragedy or comedy

Parade before Festival Competing playwrights, choruses and actors would march in a procession through Athens A herald would announce the titles of the competing plays Masked dancers would parade through the streets carrying a statue of Dionysos

Daily agenda Opening day traditional choral singing Next three days playwrights presented their works Morning: one would present three tragedies and a satyr Afternoon – another playwright would present a comedy.

Tragedy, Tragedy – Had heroic characters and unhappy endings Serious treatment of religious and mythic questions

Satyr Comic and even lewd treatment of the same themes as tragedy

Comedies Comic Had ordinary people as characters Happy ending

The Theater of Dionysus Looked like a semicircular football stadium Seats carved out of stone on a hillside Performance area at bottom Orchestra area – where chorus sang Platform area – where actors spoke from behind huge masks

Actors All actors were men Chorus made up of well-trained boys