Introduction to Drama

Tragedy and Theater

Introduction:
Drama and Tragedy
Drama as an imitation of an

action, or MIMESIS
Theater derives from Theatron
a place for viewing or to view
as spectators

Origins of Drama
Intended as a communal affair.
Public genre, like poetry
Use of open-air auditorium;

audience part of drama not

mere spectators.
Use of Chorus

Origins...
Rooted in Festival of Dionysus, City

Dionysia, in honor of the god of

fertility, wine and religious festival
Contest among playwrights, in which
each entered a tragic trilogy and a
short comedy or satire.

Origins (cont)
Evolved from religious worship

choral hymns
Dithyramb detailed heroic
action/stories; sung and danced by
chorus of about 50 men.
Thespis added a speaker who
addressed the chorus
Transformation from pure
storytelling (dithyramb) to drama

Theater Overview
Theater of Dionysus auditorium,

with most of the performances taking

place during the day.
Night scenes were suggested by
dialogue and imagination.

Theater Overview:
Conventions
Most action takes

place in front of
temples, palaces,
and other outdoor
settings
No violence on
stage
No women and
limited number of
actors (3)

Material is already known/familiar and

therefore no suspense

Use masks

Theater Structure:
Theatron viewing place for

audience
Orchestra dancing space for chorus
Skene tent, slightly raised platform
with painted scenery, hence the word
scene
Parodos passageways for chorus
and actors

Parts of a Greek Theater:

The Great Three of Tragedy

AESCHYLUS (524-456 B.C.)
Won 13 first place victories
Added a second speaker to Thespis

first
Oresteia, The Seven Against
Thebes, Prometheus Bound

The Great Three of Tragedy

SOPHOCLES (496-406 B.C.)
Won 24 first place victories
Added a third speaker and fixed

chorus at 15 members
Oedipus Trilogy, Ajax, Electra, The
Women of Trachis

The Great Three of Tragedy

Euripides- (484-406 B.C.)

Most modern of the Great Three;

radical and ahead of times

Used mechanical devices to enable
gods to appear and disappear.
Helen, The Kyclops, The Trojan
Women

Dramatic Form
Basic parts of a Greek Tragedy
Prologue
Parodos
First Episode
First Stasimon
(alternation between episodes and stasima)
Exodos

Chorus
12-15 members
Usually has a leader, Coryphaeus ,

who spoke the dialogue lines to

characters.
Involving singing/chanting and
dancing as well as character
interaction
Non-professionals who were talented
and trained by poets

Chorus: Functions
Provides poetic interludes
Acts as spokesperson for public

opinions
Occasionally expository
Helps set mood and point to
universal significance of events

Actors
Paid professionals assigned to poets
Roles
Protagonist (first actor)
Deuteragonist (second actor)
Tritagonist (third actor)
Multiple Roles

Masks: Description
Description

Variety of masks to designate age,

gender, social status, etc.

Exaggerated expressions

Masks: Function
Used to represent men and women
Acted as megaphones to amplify

voices

Tragedy (Tragic Drama)

A literary composition that deals

with reversals of fortune and

eventual downfall of a royal
figure whose suffering is unjust
but not wholly innocent.

Tragedy: Nature
Stresses the vulnerability of human

beings whose suffering is caused by

human and divine actions.
Such suffering is usually undeserved
with regard to harshness of
punishment (concept of Hamartia)

Tragedy: Purpose
Arouse pity and fear for the purpose

of proper purgation of emotions

(catharsis)
Audience feels pity
(compassion/empathy) and at the
same time fear (dread)

6 Elements of Drama
Plot
Characters
Thoughts/Theme
Language
Music
Spectacle

Plot: Soul of Tragedy

Emphasis on ORDER
Emphasis on UNITY
Place
Time
Action
Character
GOOD
APPROPRIATE
REALISTIC

CONSISTENT

Introduction and Background

Background
One of few surviving trilogies (with

Oedipus at Colonus and Antigone) but

is nevertheless self-contained
Based on an old familiar myth
Play starts in medias res

The Greek World:

Key Concepts
Two Important Greek Precepts:
Know Thyself
Nothing in Excess
Truth is better than ignorance
Pride is admirable except when

you behave like a god and

abuse the weaker.

Hamartia and Hubris

Hamartia- error in judgment or

moral flaw. Sometimes translated as

tragic flaw but this may be
misinterpreted.
Hubris overweening pride; one of
the common reasons for hamartia.

Family Tree of Oedipus

Labdacus
Laius

JOcasta

Oedipus

Eteocles

Polynices

Creon

Jocasta

Ismene

Antigone

Riddle of Sphinx
What walks on four legs in the

morning, two at noon, and three

at night?
Answer: MAN

Oedipus
Solves riddle, marries Jocasta and

becomes King of Thebes

Oedipus Rex opens years after when
another plague comes to Thebes.