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The Greek Theater
Origins of Greek Tragedy
A.
Early 700s B.C.
1. Tragedy comes from
two Greek words:
TRAGOI and OIDE
meaning…
GOAT and SONG
2. It was a celebration
of the harvest honoring
the Greek god Dionysus
in hopes of a good crop
Origins of Greek Tragedy
3. The Satyrs:
1/2 man and 1/2 goat
servants to Dionysus.
4. The celebration
consisted of men
dressed as Satyrs doing
improvised dance and
song—not a dignified
celebration. The band
of men were normally
drunk.
Origins of Greek Tragedy
5. Thespis, “the father
of Greek Drama,”
brings order and
structure to this
drunken rampage.
Thus creating the
first plays.
Origins of Greek Tragedy
B.
Aristotle
1.
The Poetics was
2.
Aristotle’s criticism of
poetry and drama.
Tragedy “is an imitation
of an action that is
serious, complete, and
of a certain
magnitude…with
incidents arousing pity
and fear” (Poetics).
Origins of Greek Tragedy
3. Tragedy should contain six key elements
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Plot
*most important element
Character (development must be consistent)
Thought (must be consistent)
Language (diction)
Melody (music or song)
Spectacle (scenery, props, costume)
*least important element
Origins of Greek Tragedy
C.
Aristotle’s Tragic Hero
1.
This is a character that has the
potential for greatness but is
doomed to fail
Origins of Greek Tragedy
2.
Aristotle’s Tragic Hero must contain the following
qualities:
a.
Must come from a high and lofty position
• royal family, wealthy family, noble family, military
hero, etc
b. Noble in nature but imperfect so the audience can see
themselves in him:
• simply, the character is neither too good nor too
bad
Origins of Greek Tragedy
c. Must have a tragic flaw


cause of the downfall not noticeable at first by the
character
suffers more than he deserves
d. Accepts his fate
•
The character must discover and recognize his flaw
and understand his fate was brought about by his
own actions