Download Introduction to Antigone

Introduction to
Antigone
MR. IANNELLI
The Greek Theatre

The Greek theatre was an open-aired amphitheater built on the side
of a mountain or a hill.

It contained three parts

Theatron – Where the audience sits. It is a semi-circular row of benches.

Orchestra – Where the chorus performs. The main performance space
of the play. Typically circular.

Skene – This is where the actors stored their masks and changed. Raised
platform, behind orchestra.
Origin of Greek actors

Dithyrambs were originally performed in honor of Dionysus.
These had no actors. They were merely poems or hymns sung
by people in Greek ceremonial worship to Dionysus.
 Originally
everyone is involved in a dithyramb. Everyone is
singing/dancing around an altar.
 Eventually,
people start watching the more specialized
performers who have prepared verses and passages
instead of merely improvising lines.
 The
specialized performers were called the chorus. The
watchers were called the audience.
Origin of Greek actors (continued)

Thespis was a Greek poet who was said to be the first
actor. Instead of merely talking about Dionysus, he
became Dionysus.

Aeschylus added the second actor. These two actors
could act together on stage and are able to show
dramatic conflict.

Sophocles added the third actor which allowed for a
complication in plot.

The chorus was initially the chief theatrical element but
eventually individual characters dominated the plays.
Greek plays

Plays were performed in honor of Dionysus. Dionysus was the Greek
God of wine, fertility, and agriculture.

Plays were produced in the springtime. Grape vines were planted
and if Dionysus was pleased with the plays performed, then he
would let the vines grow.

Three types of plays

Tragedy – Plays are extremely serious in tone. Tragic in nature.

Comedy – Plays are humorous. Funny.

Satyr – Plays with a mythical half man/half goat. They were especially
crude. More lowbrow humor.
Greek plays

Actors were only men.

Actors wore masks.

This enabled an actor to be able to play multiple parts

Masks were exaggerated which allowed for the audience to be able to
distinguish easily the different characters.

Masks made the voices louder.
The Chorus

The chorus in the play had various functions

They represented city elders

They reacted as citizens might.

They commented on the acting.

They interpreted the play and meaning through a series of poems.
Sophocles (496-406 BC)

One of the three great Greek tragedians (Other are Aeschylus and
Euripides)

Conflict of his plays arise from an individual going against his/her
fate.

Majority of the plays deal with an individual choosing some course
of action that the chorus and lesser characters do not support.

He wrote over 120 plays. Only 7 plays are still in existence today.