Greek TheaterGreek Theater

A Celebration of DionysusA Celebration of Dionysus

during the Golden Age of Greeceduring the Golden Age of Greece

Greek TragedyGreek Tragedy

• Public worship

• Outdoor theater

• Evolved from religious worship

• Remained didactic in nature

• Combined music and drama

• All actors were male

Elements of playsElements of plays

• Actors wore masks

• Audience knew story

• Presentation by playwrights was key

• Based on mythology

• Masks depicted emotions of characters

• No violence on stage

• No tender emotion on stage.

Format of Greek PlaysFormat of Greek Plays

• Prologue – presents background of conflict

• Parados – opening song by chorus

• Scenes – action and dialogue by characters

• Odes – divide scenes and offer commentary

• Paean – thanks to Dionysus

• Exodos – final exiting scene

Dionysus FestivalDionysus Festival

• Dionysus Festival – held during the 5th century B.C., it was part religious worship. Sophocles wrote during this time. The paean is a thanksgiving to Dionysus, god of wine and theatre.

The Role of the ChorusThe Role of the Chorus

• Prepares us for action in parodos

• Sets the mood

• Provides commentary on action

• Reflects values of Greek society

• Contributes to dialogue (this is because Greeks did not have the device of soliloquy

• Reacts to play as the poet would like.

Antigone and the chorusAntigone and the chorus

• Parodos – chorus enters with a sense of thanksgiving that Thebes has been victorious and fought off the advancing army. It points out the sin of pride and bragging.

• Ode I – this is an ode to man and all of his powers. Man has mastered the sea, land and animals. He has organized government for the better of mankind. If he doesn’t obey the laws, society will fail. He is, however, mortal and will ultimately die.

• Ode II – the theme is disaster and how it has plagued Oedipus’ family for generations. Zeus is all powerful and no one can escape the justice of the gods. Their warning may have seemed aimed at Antigone, but it is fair to say that Creon was on the stage and should have heeded the warning himself.

Odes continuedOdes continued

• Ode II – the theme is disaster and how it has plagued Oedipus’ family for generations. Zeus is all powerful and no one can escape the justice of the gods. Their warning may have seemed aimed at Antigone, but it is fair to say that Creon was on the stage and should have heeded the warning himself.

Odes continuedOdes continued

• Ode III – the theme is the power of love. The chorus feels that Aphrodite has won, because Haimon is remaining devoted to Antigone.

• Ode IV – compares Antigone to others who have been entombed. Also, there is a reference to others who were blinded. Therefore, some critics have said that this ode is about darkness brought as a form of punishment.

ChorusChorus

• Paean – a time to give thanksgiving to Dionysus. The chorus actually calls upon Dionysus to help rid the city of the “plague” brought about by Creon.

• By scene V, the chorus has completely changed its point of view about Antigone’s punishment. Choragos expresses this to Creon. Sophocles had chorus involved in play more than most writers.

ThemesThemes

• Everything depends upon pleasing the gods.• Pride and arrogance were huge sins.• Punishment came for all sins.• The purpose of punishment was to teach.• The gods determined the city’s welfare.• If your tragic flaw didn’t get, the Fates might.• Suffering is an inherent part of man’s condition.

Tragic heroTragic hero

• Hero is not extremely noble but not evil either.

• He/she should be important in society.

• Their human frailty or flaw is what brings them down.

• Their downfall should strike fear in audience.

Aristotle on tragedyAristotle on tragedy

• The scope of the tragedy should be far-reaching and affect many.

• The plot must be complete and complex.• The hero should have a complete reversal of

status.• The hero recognizes his ignorance.• The audience should feel fear and pity.• The audience should be brought to some

cathartic release.