Tharpe 1

Olivia Tharpe

Dr. Robson

Paper 2

2 October 2018

There Existed No Raised Stage

I. Introduction

A. The classical period of Greek theatre encompasses the 5th century BCE. This is

when the most Greek theatre was produced.

1. The earliest theatres date from____Theatre of Dionysus

2. Because there is so little preserved from the ancient times it has been a puzzle

to determine what stage elements truly existed. Older theatres were made of

wood, so they did not last. After the 5th century

3. One of the most argued debates is whether there was a raised stage in

Classical Greek theatres.

B. After conducting my own research, by reading the works of__and__, and

examining archaeological evidence, I do not believe(can I say believe?) that there

was a raised stage in Classical Greek Theatre.

II. Body

A. The Chorus and other actors need room to move about together

B. No need of a raised stage because the seating was such that you could see

C. There is no Greek name for a raised stage. There are names for the Skene etc. but

nothing is documented about a raised stage. This absence of a word for a raised

stage is huge.
Tharpe 2