The theater of ancient Greece flourished between 550-220 BCE in the city-state of Athens. Plays were performed as part of religious festivals honoring Dionysus, with theaters built into hillsides. Tragedies and comedies were most popular, performed by 3 actors and a chorus. Plays examined human condition and fate. Choruses provided commentary through song and dance, wearing masks and costumes. Greek theater traditions like masks and staging influenced modern theater.

1. Ms. Aixa B. Rodriguez
World Cultures Theme
Mythology Unit
ESL L5 and Art in Literature Class
High School for World Cultures Bronx, NY

6.  Theatron: literally,
the “watching
place”
 Orchestra: literally,
the “dancing
place”
 Skene: “scene,” or
backdrop

8. Daylight
Class issues
Women
Comfort
Sound effects

10. The modern word
“theater” comes from
the Greek word
theatron meaning
"seeing place"

11. Challenges:
Size
Distance from
audience
Holding interest

13. Behind orchestra
Served as
backdrop, house
Decorative in
later years
Holds mechane

14. Parodos:Parodos: passageways (pl.paradoi)passageways (pl.paradoi)
Ekkykleme:Ekkykleme: “the thing that rolls”“the thing that rolls”
the small wagon platform, was wheeled inthe small wagon platform, was wheeled in
to show a corpse to the audience.to show a corpse to the audience.
All killing had to occur off stage and beAll killing had to occur off stage and be
reported to the audience by the chorus or areported to the audience by the chorus or a
messenger.messenger.
MechaneMechane: crane used for special effect: crane used for special effect

16. Staging was accomplished simply with
the use of pinakes, or scenery painted
on boards and placed against the
skene.
Also periaktois, triangular prisms, that
could be revolved for scenery changes.
Properties were also used.
Drums were sounded for thunder.

17. …In an
amphitheatre
…With a
chorus who
described
most of the
action.
…With masks

18. • The theater of ancient Greece, flourished between c. 550 andThe theater of ancient Greece, flourished between c. 550 and
c. 220 BCE.c. 220 BCE.
• The city-state of Athens, was it’s centre.The city-state of Athens, was it’s centre.
• It was part of a festival called the Dionysia, which honored theIt was part of a festival called the Dionysia, which honored the
god Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and revelry with altarsgod Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and revelry with altars
generally on stage.generally on stage.
• Banks would shut down for days, people would travel from allBanks would shut down for days, people would travel from all
around to see the drama competitions—even prisoners werearound to see the drama competitions—even prisoners were
temporarily released to see the playstemporarily released to see the plays
• TragedyTragedy means “goat song” (relates to Dionysian sacrificialmeans “goat song” (relates to Dionysian sacrificial
rituals)rituals)

21.  The chorus was
trained and
costumed at state
expense through a
choregos (a
wealthy citizen)
who chose this job
as his way of
paying taxes and
raising his
standing in the
community.

22.  Members of the chorus
were chosen from the
general population.
 Chorus members were
unpaid volunteers
doing their civic duty.
 The rehearsal period
for a chorus was likely
four months or more.

23. • DRAMA: a literary composition
written to be performed by actors
• central character called a tragic
protagonist or hero suffers some
serious misfortune
• the misfortune is logically connected
with the hero's actions.

24. The modern word “drama”
comes from the Greek word
drandran meaning "to do”
 The Greeks understood the
role of action in plays.

25.  Comedy
 Tragedy
 Satyr
 Comedy and tragedy were the
most popular types of plays in
ancient Greece. Hence, the
modern popularity of the
comedy and tragedy masks to
symbolize theatre.

26.  The word “comedy” comes from the Greek
word “komos” which means “band of
revelers.”

27.  These were short plays
performed between the
acts of tragedies. They
made fun of the plight of
the tragedy's characters.
 The satyrs were mythical
half-human, half-goat
servants of Dionysus.
 They served the function
of comic relief.

28. The Satyr and the
Satyr plays
spawned the
modern word
“satire”.

30.  used a chorus
 The choric dithyrambs (choral
songs) were originally about
the death and resurrection of
Dionysus (the god of wine and
revelry).
 Chorus reflects what the
audience is thinking
▪ “color commentary”
▪ Provides background and
spectacle

31.  The first function of the chorus was
as narrator (telling stories, providing
information).
 to bridge the gap between the audience and the
players by making responses and asking
questions
 to intensify the emotion and establish a lyric
mood through rhythmic chanting and dance
 to maintain a sense of ceremony and ritual

32.  The chorus could punctuateThe chorus could punctuate
the action of a play with burststhe action of a play with bursts
of song and dance, whichof song and dance, which
enlarged the dramatic actionenlarged the dramatic action
and relieved tension.and relieved tension.
 Instruments used toInstruments used to
accompany choric songs andaccompany choric songs and
dances included flutes, lyres,dances included flutes, lyres,
horns, drums, and bells.horns, drums, and bells.
 TheThe ‘‘ParadosParados’’ (chorus(chorus
entrance) marks the beginningentrance) marks the beginning
of the play, and theof the play, and the exodusexodus (its(its
exit) the ending.exit) the ending.
 SingingSinging
 DancingDancing
 StropheStrophe
 AntistropheAntistrophe

33.  As the number of
actors increased
from one to
three, the size of
the chorus, which
originally
numbered 50,
was reduced.
 12-15 men

34. The Chorus could play the
worshipers of a God, or as
in Oedipus, the villagers and
Theban elders (town
leaders).

35.  The modern word
“thespian” comes from the
name Thespis, the first actor
credited with separating
from the chorus to hold a
call and response with
them.

36.  Choruses did not rehearse in the
theatres, they probably rehearsed in a
closed room so that the spectators
would not see the drama before the
performance.
 Early dramatists (Aeschylus and
probably Sophocles and Euripides)
taught their own choruses.

37.  Consisted of standard Greek attire
 Chiton: a sleeveless tunic belted below the
breast
 the himation: draped around the right shoulder
 the chlamys, or short cloak, worn over the left
shoulder
 elaborately embroidered patterns
 Masks were used.
 If playing a female role, the male actor in want
of a female appearance wore the prosternida
before the chest and the progastrida before the
belly

38. 3 Actors, all men
Elaborate gestures,
“over-acting”
Women were not
allowed to
participate.

40.  to masks bring the characters' face closer to
the audience.
 to enable an actor to play in several different
roles,
 to help the audience to distinguish sex, age,
and social status, in addition to revealing a
change in a particular character’s emotions
and appearance.
 a mask—called a “persona”
 Masks contained “megaphone” to amplify their
voices

41.  Another adaptation that the Greeks'
developed for their theatre masks were
special mouths that acted like megaphones
to amplify their voice for everyone in the
huge theatre to hear.

42. Actors wore masks with exaggerated facial features
and expressions to make it easy for all viewers to identify a
particular character because theatres were very large.

43.  Greek actors originally started wearing
masks that were very human like that just
covered part of the face
 Eventually with the increase in theatre size
the mask changed as well
 The mask then began to cover the whole
head and resembled legends from Greek
mythology not humans

44. usually made by the people that whousually made by the people that who
wore them in the playwore them in the play
 from consisted of cloth, leather, andfrom consisted of cloth, leather, and
wood with animal hair and painted orwood with animal hair and painted or
died different colors with flowers anddied different colors with flowers and
other plants attached to them.other plants attached to them.
Famous actors in bigger plays mayFamous actors in bigger plays may
have had jewels and other ornatehave had jewels and other ornate
items placed on their masksitems placed on their masks

45. Aeschylus
Sophocles
Euripides
Aristophanes
Menander

46. Medea is a princess from Colchis. She marries Jason, who is
on a quest for the Golden Fleece. Medea betrays her father
and murders her brother for her love of Jason. Medea has
magical powers. Jason takes Medea back to his homeland
Iolcus. They are rejected for fear of Medea’s power and move
to Corinth, where they have children.
Jason takes another wife, the king of Corinth’s daughter
Glauce. Medea, betrayed, sends a bewitched gown to
Princess Glauce, Jason’s new bride, it kills her and her father.
Jason returns to find Medea has killed their sons. Medea
leaves with the bodies of her children in a dragon led
chariot. Jason, a shadow of a man, no longer protected by
Hera, dies when a timber from the Argo crushes him in his
sleep.

47.  Son of wealthy Athenian
merchant
 Lived during golden age
of Athens
 Center of democracy
 Important figure in
society
 Becomes cultural
spokesperson
 Noted playwright
 Wrote primarily tragedies
 Witnessed decline of
Athens
 495 B.C.E. :Born in
Colonus, in Attica
 441: Writes Antigone
 431-404:
Peloponnesian War
(Athens v. Sparta)
 429: Writes Oedipus
Rex
 406: Sophocles dies

48. Oedipus:
 “Aye, 'tis no secret. Apollo once foretold That I
should mate with mine own mother, and shed With
my own hands the blood of my own sire. Hence
Corinth was for many a year to me. A home distant;
and I trove abroad, But missed the sweetest sight,
my parents' face. ”
Jocasta:
1. “An oracle Once came to Laius, I will not say 'Twas
from the Delphic god himself, but from His
ministers, declaring he was doomed to perish by
the hand of his own son, A child that should be
born to him by me.

49.  Delphic Oracle,
prophecy
 Corinth and Thebes
 Sphinx riddle
 Self-punishment
 Children: Eteocles,
Polyneices, Ismene,
Antigone

50. • Sphinx's riddle: "What is the creature that walks on four legs in
the morning, two legs at noon and three in the evening?"
• To this Oedipus answered "Man”.
• Oedipus's name means "swollen foot”. His ankles were pinned
as a baby. Here is the baby of which the Sphinx speaks,
crawling on four feet.
• Oedipus the adult man, standing on his own two feet.
• Oedipus will leave Thebes an old blind man, using a cane.
• Oedipus himself proves to be that same man, an embodiment
of the Sphinx's riddle.
• Oedipus is solver of the Sphinx's riddle, and the answer.

52. 1.1. The play begins years after Oedipus is givenThe play begins years after Oedipus is given
the throne of Thebes.the throne of Thebes.
2.2. The chorus of Thebans cries out to OedipusThe chorus of Thebans cries out to Oedipus
for salvation from the plague sent by thefor salvation from the plague sent by the
gods in response to Laius' murder.gods in response to Laius' murder.
3.3. The blind prophet, Teiresias, is called to aidThe blind prophet, Teiresias, is called to aid
Oedipus in his search; He warns OedipusOedipus in his search; He warns Oedipus
not to follow through with the investigation.not to follow through with the investigation.
4.4. Oedipus accuses him of being the murderer,Oedipus accuses him of being the murderer,
even though Teiresias is blind and aged.even though Teiresias is blind and aged.
5.5. Oedipus promises to exile the manOedipus promises to exile the man
responsible for it.responsible for it.
6.6. Oedipus accuses Teiresias of conspiringOedipus accuses Teiresias of conspiring
with Creon, Jocasta's brother, to overthrowwith Creon, Jocasta's brother, to overthrow
him.him.
7.7. Oedipus calls for one of Laius' formerOedipus calls for one of Laius' former
servants, the only surviving witness of theservants, the only surviving witness of the
murder, who fled the city when Oedipusmurder, who fled the city when Oedipus
became king to avoid being the one to revealbecame king to avoid being the one to reveal
the truth.the truth.
1.1. A messenger from Corinth alsoA messenger from Corinth also
arrives to inform Oedipus of thearrives to inform Oedipus of the
death of Polybus, whomdeath of Polybus, whom Oedipus stillOedipus still
believes is his real father.believes is his real father.
2.2. The messenger informs him that heThe messenger informs him that he
was in fact adopted and his realwas in fact adopted and his real
parentage is unknown.parentage is unknown.
3.3. In the subsequent discussions JocastaIn the subsequent discussions Jocasta
guesses the truth and runs away.guesses the truth and runs away.
4.4. Oedipus is stubbornOedipus is stubborn
5.5. A 2A 2ndnd
messenger arrives and revealsmessenger arrives and reveals
that Jocasta has hanged herselfthat Jocasta has hanged herself
6.6. Oedipus, upon discovering herOedipus, upon discovering her
body, blinds himself with the goldenbody, blinds himself with the golden
brooches on her dress.brooches on her dress.
7.7. The play ends with OedipusThe play ends with Oedipus
entrusting his children to Creon andentrusting his children to Creon and
leaving in exile, as he promisedleaving in exile, as he promised
would be the fate of Laius' murderer.would be the fate of Laius' murderer.

54. 1. Story revolves around two different
unsuccessful attempts to change the
course of fate:
1. Jocasta and Laius's killing of Oedipus at birth and
2. Oedipus's flight from Corinth later on.
2. Jocasta kills her son only to find him
married to her.
3. Oedipus leaves Corinth only to find that
he has carried out the oracle's words.

55. Oedipus counts on his own ability
not the gods.
The irony is, of course, that the
oracles and Oedipus's reasoning lead
to the same outcome.
Oedipus is a thinker. His
intelligence is what makes him great,
yet it is also what makes him tragic.
Marriage to Jocasta and ruling
Thebes was the prize for ridding
Thebes of the Sphinx. Oedipus's
intelligence, a trait that brings him
closer to the gods, is what causes him
to commit the most terrible of all
sins.
In killing the Sphinx, Oedipus is the
city's savior, but in killing Laius (and
marrying Jocasta), he is cause of the
plague that has struck the city at the
play's opening.
Sight here means two different things.
Oedipus is blessed with perception. But
he is blind to the truth, for all he seeks it.
Oedipus is human and we recognize this
in his agonizing reaction to his sin.
 Watching this, the audience is moved
to both pity and fear: pity for this broken
man, and fear that his tragedy could be
our own. Watching this tragedy gives us
the audience a sense of purging. This is
the catharsis which Aristotle spoke of.

56. The Six Aspects of TragedyThe Six Aspects of Tragedy
1.1. PLOTPLOT
2.2. CHARACTERCHARACTER
3.3. SPECTACLESPECTACLE
4.4. SONGSONG
5.5. DICTIONDICTION
6.6. THOUGHTTHOUGHT
From Aristotle’sFrom Aristotle’s PoeticsPoetics
**

57. 1. PLOT: Plot is the way the incidents are presented
to the audience
• Must be “whole” –beginning/ middle and end
• Incentive moment- begins cause and effect
• Climax
• resolution
• Must be complete and have “unity of action”
• No “deus ex machina”
• No “episodic plots”
• Plot can be simple or complex
• Catastrophe (cata/strophe): change in fortune
• Perepetia: a reversal
• Anagnorisis: recognition

58. Plot Diagram/Plot Diagram/
Freytag’s PyramiDFreytag’s PyramiD

59. 2. CHARACTER
• Personal motivations connected to cause/ effect aspect of
plot
• Protagonist should be renowned and prosperous
change from good to bad
• Hubris – arrogance, overconfidence
• Hamartia: a tragic flaw
• Characters should have the following qualities:
• Good or fine
• Fitness of character
• True to life
• Consistency
• Necessary or probable
• Idealized/ ennobled

60. 1. He must be a man who is superior to the average man in
some way.
1. Oedipus is smart he is the only person who could solve the Sphinx's riddle.
2. Must evoke both pity and fear, must be a character with a
mixture of good and evil. Oedipus is a hero with a violent
streak, clever man, but is blind to the truth.
3. Hamartia, often translated as "tragic flaw" but really
means "error in judgement.”
4. Dramatic irony The audience knows the outcome of the
story already, but the hero does not, making his actions
seem ignorant or inappropriate in the face of what is to
come.

61. 3. THOUGHT
• Reference to theme
4. DICTION
• Word choice is proper and appropriate
• Emphasis on style and use of literary devices (metaphor)
5. SONG
• Musical element of the play
• Use of the chorus
6. SPECTACLE
* Production for effect

62. Dionysia
Sophocles
Oedipus Rex
Cast of
characters

63.  Set in Thebes (a city in ancient Greece)
 Antigone is the daughter of Oedipus and
Jocasta
 Antigone’s brothers, Eteokles and
Polyneces, took opposite sides in a war
 Eteokles and Polyneces killed each other in
battle
 Antigone’s uncle, Kreon, became king of
Thebes

64. Antigone
• Antigone, had the
better judgment, and
Ismene with all the
good intentions.
• They were both two
extraordinary women
that went through a
lot together despite
their differences.

65.  Eteocles and
Polyneices
The princes who had
refused to share their
inheritance shared
death instead