Greek Tragedy Everything you wanted to know about
![Greek Tragedy Everything you wanted to know about Greek tragedy but were afraid to Greek Tragedy Everything you wanted to know about Greek tragedy but were afraid to](https://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-1.jpg)
Greek Tragedy Everything you wanted to know about Greek tragedy but were afraid to ask
![What are we going to talk about? l l l l The Origins of What are we going to talk about? l l l l The Origins of](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-2.jpg)
What are we going to talk about? l l l l The Origins of Tragedy Which Cities Performed Tragedy When Tragedy was Performed The Parts of a Greek Theaters Themselves The Major Playwrights The Way a Greek Tragedy Was Staged - number of actors - the costumes - the masks - the audience
![The Origins of Tragedy from the dithyramb: a choral song in honor of Dionysos The Origins of Tragedy from the dithyramb: a choral song in honor of Dionysos](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-3.jpg)
The Origins of Tragedy from the dithyramb: a choral song in honor of Dionysos l Arion of Methymna (7 th century) was the first to write a choral song, practice it with a chorus, and perform it l Lasus of Hermione was the first to do it at Athens l Connected with the worship of Dionysos in Athens l Originated
![The Origins of Tragedy l Thespis of Corinth The first travelling actor l Active The Origins of Tragedy l Thespis of Corinth The first travelling actor l Active](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-4.jpg)
The Origins of Tragedy l Thespis of Corinth The first travelling actor l Active c. 538 -28 BCE l Added prologue and speech to choral performance l Said to have invented the mask l
![Who Performed Tragedy? l Corinth: c. 600 (Arion) l Sicyon: c. 550 - Cleisthenes Who Performed Tragedy? l Corinth: c. 600 (Arion) l Sicyon: c. 550 - Cleisthenes](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-5.jpg)
Who Performed Tragedy? l Corinth: c. 600 (Arion) l Sicyon: c. 550 - Cleisthenes (not the Athenian) - Epigenes l Athens: c. 510 - only Athenian dramas left - “school of Hellas”
![Sicyon Pergamum Corinth Epidauros Methymna Athens Hermione Sicyon Pergamum Corinth Epidauros Methymna Athens Hermione](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-6.jpg)
Sicyon Pergamum Corinth Epidauros Methymna Athens Hermione
![When Was Tragedy Performed? City Dionysia @ Athens - aka “Greater Dionysia” - end When Was Tragedy Performed? City Dionysia @ Athens - aka “Greater Dionysia” - end](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-7.jpg)
When Was Tragedy Performed? City Dionysia @ Athens - aka “Greater Dionysia” - end of March l Rural Dionysia - different demes had performances - “off-Broadway” - various dates in December l The Lenaea - less prestigious - sometime in late January/early February l
![Where Was Tragedy Performed? l l almost every Greek city had a theater Theaters Where Was Tragedy Performed? l l almost every Greek city had a theater Theaters](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-8.jpg)
Where Was Tragedy Performed? l l almost every Greek city had a theater Theaters could be very small or huge Each theater had specific parts Usually in the center of the city
![The Parts of a Theater l The Orchestra l The acting area l semi-circular The Parts of a Theater l The Orchestra l The acting area l semi-circular](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-9.jpg)
The Parts of a Theater l The Orchestra l The acting area l semi-circular l Had a small altar to Dionysos in the center l Where the Chorus danced and the actors spoke
![The Parts of a Theater l The Skene l The large backdrop l Could The Parts of a Theater l The Skene l The large backdrop l Could](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-10.jpg)
The Parts of a Theater l The Skene l The large backdrop l Could be decorated with scenery l Where the action actually took place (hidden) l Roof was accessible l Originally one door in the center, but eventually had three doors
![The Skene The Skene](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-11.jpg)
The Skene
![The Parts of a Theater l The Ekkyklēma A wheeled platform l Used to The Parts of a Theater l The Ekkyklēma A wheeled platform l Used to](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-12.jpg)
The Parts of a Theater l The Ekkyklēma A wheeled platform l Used to display set pieces l l l Agamemnon The Mēchanē a large crane l Used for the entrance of gods l l Deus ex machina
![The Theaters l Theater of Dionysos Athens l Main theater for tragedy l 4 The Theaters l Theater of Dionysos Athens l Main theater for tragedy l 4](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-13.jpg)
The Theaters l Theater of Dionysos Athens l Main theater for tragedy l 4 th century remains l c. 20, 000 seats l Located on side of Acropolis l
![Theater of Dionysos Theater of Dionysos](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-14.jpg)
Theater of Dionysos
![Theater of Dionysos Theater of Dionysos](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-15.jpg)
Theater of Dionysos
![Theater of Dionysos Theater of Dionysos](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-16.jpg)
Theater of Dionysos
![The Theaters l Theater of Epidauros The best-preserved l Largest surviving theater l Located The Theaters l Theater of Epidauros The best-preserved l Largest surviving theater l Located](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-17.jpg)
The Theaters l Theater of Epidauros The best-preserved l Largest surviving theater l Located near Argos in the Peloponnesus l Sanctuary of Aesclepius l Still in use today l
![Theater of Epidauros Theater of Epidauros](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-18.jpg)
Theater of Epidauros
![Theater of Epidauros Theater of Epidauros](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-19.jpg)
Theater of Epidauros
![Theater of Epidauros Theater of Epidauros](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-20.jpg)
Theater of Epidauros
![The Theaters l Theater of Pergamon In Asia Minor (Turkey) l Extremely steep seating The Theaters l Theater of Pergamon In Asia Minor (Turkey) l Extremely steep seating](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-21.jpg)
The Theaters l Theater of Pergamon In Asia Minor (Turkey) l Extremely steep seating l Fit to the terrain l Pergamon one of the most wealthy Asian cities l
![Theater of Pergamon Theater of Pergamon](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-22.jpg)
Theater of Pergamon
![The Playwrights l Three major tragedians l Aeschylus l Sophocles l Euripides l All The Playwrights l Three major tragedians l Aeschylus l Sophocles l Euripides l All](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-23.jpg)
The Playwrights l Three major tragedians l Aeschylus l Sophocles l Euripides l All active in the 5 th century l All won first place in multiple competitions l Only Athenian plays survive
![Aeschylus l l b. 525 d. 456 (Sicily) Fought at Marathon l l l Aeschylus l l b. 525 d. 456 (Sicily) Fought at Marathon l l l](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-24.jpg)
Aeschylus l l b. 525 d. 456 (Sicily) Fought at Marathon l l l “Aeschylus, Euphorion's son of Athens, lies under this stone dead in Gela among the white wheatlands; a man at need good in fight - witness the hallowed field of Marathon, witness the long-haired Mede. ” First tragedy 499 First first prize 484 (13 overall)
![Aeschylus Introduced the second actor l Wrote over 70 plays (seven survive) l Always Aeschylus Introduced the second actor l Wrote over 70 plays (seven survive) l Always](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-25.jpg)
Aeschylus Introduced the second actor l Wrote over 70 plays (seven survive) l Always revered l Main interest is in situation and event rather than character l l Oresteia, Seven Against Thebes Pericles directed the chorus for Persians l Both sons were very successful playwrights l
![Sophocles l l l b. 496 d. 406 Served as a general with Pericles Sophocles l l l b. 496 d. 406 Served as a general with Pericles](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-26.jpg)
Sophocles l l l b. 496 d. 406 Served as a general with Pericles (441) Very active in city politics (413) First tragedy 468 First first prize 468 Won 18 first prizes l Never finished third l
![Sophocles l Introduced the third actor l Wrote over 120 plays (seven survive) l Sophocles l Introduced the third actor l Wrote over 120 plays (seven survive) l](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-27.jpg)
Sophocles l Introduced the third actor l Wrote over 120 plays (seven survive) l The most successful of the Big Three l Challenged conventional mores l Introduced more dialogue between characters (less Chorus) l Oedipus Tyrannus, Oedipus at Colonus, Antigone, Electra
![Euripides l l b. 485 d. 406 (in Macedonia) Not active militarily or politically Euripides l l b. 485 d. 406 (in Macedonia) Not active militarily or politically](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-28.jpg)
Euripides l l b. 485 d. 406 (in Macedonia) Not active militarily or politically First tragedy 455 First first prize 441 Won only four first prizes l The least successful of the Big Three l
![Euripides l No innovations on the stage l Wrote ninety plays (19 survive) l Euripides l No innovations on the stage l Wrote ninety plays (19 survive) l](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-29.jpg)
Euripides l No innovations on the stage l Wrote ninety plays (19 survive) l Sophocles: “I present men as they ought to be, Euripides presents men as they are. ” l More realistic than the other two l Alcestis, Orestes Medea, Hippolytus, Bacchae,
![The Staging of Tragedy l “Classical theater resembled today’s rock concerts: the audience knew The Staging of Tragedy l “Classical theater resembled today’s rock concerts: the audience knew](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-30.jpg)
The Staging of Tragedy l “Classical theater resembled today’s rock concerts: the audience knew every number by heart, performers wore high heels, loud costumes and heavy make-up, and they relied on background singers, known as the Chorus. ” -Howard Tomb
![The Staging of Tragedy l “The audience knew every number by heart…” l Most The Staging of Tragedy l “The audience knew every number by heart…” l Most](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-31.jpg)
The Staging of Tragedy l “The audience knew every number by heart…” l Most tragedies dealt with mythological themes l “Performers wore high heels, loud costumes and heavy make-up…” l They wore elaborate clothes, tall boots, and masks l “They relied on background singers, known as the Chorus. ” l Especially after the introduction of the third actor
![The Staging of Tragedy - Actors l Maximum of three actors l Aeschylus second The Staging of Tragedy - Actors l Maximum of three actors l Aeschylus second](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-32.jpg)
The Staging of Tragedy - Actors l Maximum of three actors l Aeschylus second l Sophocles third l All roles played by men l Same group of actors for each set of plays for each author
![The Staging of Tragedy - Actors l Playwrights did not act in their own The Staging of Tragedy - Actors l Playwrights did not act in their own](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-33.jpg)
The Staging of Tragedy - Actors l Playwrights did not act in their own plays after Sophocles l Chorus publicly funded l. A choregos would pay for and train the chorus l Viewed as a civic duty l Could be prosecuted for failing to do it wealthy enough l Choregos got a monument if his chorus won
![The Staging of Tragedy - Costumes l Actor wore: l Mask l Robes l The Staging of Tragedy - Costumes l Actor wore: l Mask l Robes l](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-34.jpg)
The Staging of Tragedy - Costumes l Actor wore: l Mask l Robes l Platform boots (kothornoi) l Chorus could be in costume (comedy)
![The Staging of Tragedy - Masks l The most salient feature All parts by The Staging of Tragedy - Masks l The most salient feature All parts by](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-35.jpg)
The Staging of Tragedy - Masks l The most salient feature All parts by men, so mask depicted gender l Acted as a megaphone l Voice inflection paramount l l Multiple Masks = Multiple Characters Only three actors l More than three speaking roles, need for costume and mask change l Oedipus and his eyes l
![The Audience l Any male could attend l Women most likely able to attend The Audience l Any male could attend l Women most likely able to attend](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-36.jpg)
The Audience l Any male could attend l Women most likely able to attend l Aeschylus’ Furies l State funded attendance l Cost was the average daily wage of a laborer l Theoric Fund Never suspended, even when Athens in dire straights l Supplied public tickets l l “Must-see TV”
![The Audience l Catharsis l “learning through suffering” l Moderation is to be sought The Audience l Catharsis l “learning through suffering” l Moderation is to be sought](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image/5d307629c5e41e0c19c0927627fa20c5/image-37.jpg)
The Audience l Catharsis l “learning through suffering” l Moderation is to be sought in all things, even good things l The mighty fall so far that we admire them for being so high l A spiritual cleansing of the audience l Performances emotional
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