Drama. An Introduction to Classical Tragedy

Transcription

1 Drama An Introduction to Classical Tragedy

2 Background Religious Ceremony/Celebration Dionysus god of wine and fertility Historical origins in the 6 th century BCE Drama as we know it comes from the 5 th century BCE The Three Great Tragedians Aeschylus Sophocles Euripides

3 Greek Theaters: the Venue Theatron the viewing place Orchestra the dancing space Skene tent Parodos passageways

4 The Theatre of Dionysus circa 330 BCE

5 Theatre of Dionysus circa 2 nd century BCE

6 Theatre of Dionysus 1 st century CE (Roman Influence)

7 Theatre of Dionysus (aerial view)

8 Structure of the Greek Play The basic structure of a Greek tragedy is fairly simple. After a prologue spoken by one or more characters, the chorus enters, singing and dancing. Scenes then alternate between spoken sections (dialogue between characters, and between characters and chorus) and sung sections (during which the chorus danced). Here are the basic parts of a Greek Tragedy:

9 Structure of the Greek Play 1. Prologue: Spoken by one or two characters before the chorus appears. The prologue usually gives the mythological background necessary for understanding the events of the play.

10 Structure of the Greek Play 2. Parodos: This is the song sung by the chorus as it first enters the orchestra and dances.

11 Structure of the Greek Play 3. First Episode: This is the first of many "episodes", when the characters and chorus talk. 4. First Stasimon: At the end of each episode, the other characters usually leave the stage and the chorus dances and sings a stasimon, or choral ode. The ode usually reflects on the things said and done in the episodes, and puts it into some kind of larger mythological framework.

12 Structure of the Greek Play For the rest of the play, there is alternation between episodes and stasima, until the final scene, called the Exodos: At the end of play, the chorus exits singing a processional song which usually offers words of wisdom related to the actions and outcome of the play.

13 Drama Vocabulary (or Words I Must Know to Pass ) Protagonist: the main character of the play with whom the audience identifies Antagonist: the character who opposes the protagonist s goals or desires Character:: a personality or role in the play Foil: a character whose traits contrast with another s (not necessarily the antagonist)

14 More Terms Theater: to imitate or represent life in performance for other people; the performance of dramatic literature Crisis: a decisive point in the plot upon which the outcome of the remaining action depends Monologue: a long speech by a single character Soliloquy: a monologue revealing the inner thoughts of a single character Aside: a direct address of the audience, often for humor

15 More Terms Center stage: the central area of the stage or performance Downstage: the stage area toward the audience Proscenium: the audience s view of the stage; the frame or boundary beyond which the audience cannot see

16 The Final Term (and arguably one of the most important) Convention: anything in a play that is not believable but that we must accept as a necessary part of the play so that we can understand the play. Examples of dramatic conventions we must accept: the convention of time and space--a presentation of scenes years apart compressed into two hours; also one scene occurring in a living room and the next scene in a bar. Asides Soliloquies

17 Antigone by Sophocles Where is your ultimate loyalty? Rank these areas in terms of importance: Loyalty to family Obedience to civil law Protection of nation Protection of personal dignity

18 Why did you chose this rank? How do we determine personal loyalties? In what situation would you defend these loyalties? Have you ever experienced a friction between what the law or country tells you to do, and what you feel is right?