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Ancient Greek and Elizabethan Theatre General Information In the 6th century B.C., Arion of Methymna in Lesbos (Μήθυμνα) produced the first lyrics for the dithyramb. In the 5th century B.C., Thespis of Attica first introduced an actor and the chorus. Finally, the incorporation of more actors created the classical theatre. Classical plays followed a particular structural framework, with minor differences in some plays. Greek plays did not have intermissions. Aristotle declared that plays are complete and have a consistent structure of “a beginning, middle, and end”. Early Greek plays derived from religious ceremonies. They were performances of religious celebrations that took place in Athens. Elements of Greek Tragedy The subject is serious. Right before the end, the climax signifies the plays resolution. The tragic protagonist is usually of noble birth and displays a greatness of spirit which the audience respects. The protagonist faces forces that are beyond control. The protagonist struggles until the end and shows great strength until his or her downfall. In the end no one gains anything except loss but the protagonist, despite having lost the battle, usually gains wisdom and self-awareness in retrospect. The style of Greek tragedy was ceremonial. Although music played a significant role in the performance nothing has survived so that we know how it sounded. Also, we’re not certain of elements such as the amount of the text that was spoken or chanted. We do know that the Greek theater opted for the display of all sorts of vivid and exciting spectacles. Masks and colorful costumes were worn by the actors. The Basic Structure of Greek Tragedy Prologue: A monologue or dialogue preceding the entry of the chorus, which presents the tragedy's topic. Parodos - The entry ode of the chorus. The odes expose the theme, comment on action, and contribute to the development of the story. Stasimon- any extended song of the chorus after the parodos and at the end of each episode so that the chorus commented on the action. Episode: the scene between two stasimons. Exodos- the final action after the last Stasimon and the exit song of the chorus after the last episode. Chorus - the chorus was a group of costumed men standing on the orchestra throughout the performance. They observed and commented on the action of the actors. It consisted of twelve to fifteen elders. Choragos, or chorus leader often speaks for the entire chorus at certain moments. Also the term was used for the sponsor of a chorus. The Messenger - plays the important role of the witness to events and actions that have taken place in other areas. He reports important action that has occurred offstage, usually portraying the violent acts that are never shown on stage and yet affect the course and outcome of the whole tragedy. A Greek Theatre would seat 15,000 to 20,000 spectators www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_gby5JoE6g&list=PL16D3CC0AB4AB8DCB The Basic Parts of the Theatre Theatron – the Greek theatre was called a theatron. The theaters were large, open-air structures situated on hills that had rows of tiered stone seats and were composed of two main elements: the orchestra and the skene. An altar was located in the middle of the orchestra dedicated to the god Dionysus. Orchestra - the circular area at ground level which was enclosed by the crescent-shaped theatron. Parodos – a passage right and left on the sides of the orchestra used for the entrances and exits of the chorus. Skene – it was the stage building (meaning “tent”). This was a temporary wooden building usually decorated as a palace, temple, or something else in which the actors kept their masks and costumes and quickly changed. The skene also had doors from which the actors made their entrance and exit. They also had access to the roof from behind the skene, so that actors who played the roles of gods and other supernatural characters could appear on the roof. Proscenium - the part where the actors performed in front of the skene. Logeion: - a raised platform on the roof of the proscenium, where actors were placed in order to speak. The Emergence of Drama as a Literary Art http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-emergence-of-drama-as-a-literary-art-mindyploeckelmann ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND - QUEEN ELIZABETH I 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 1558 to 1603 (Elizabeth’s I reign, 45 years – The Golden Age). Renaissance: Revival of ancient classical mythology, literature and culture. The end of the Dark Ages (5th to 15th centuries AD. Male dominance. Protestantism: a religious movement that began in Germany by the German monk Martin Luther in 1517 as a reaction against Medieval doctrines and practices. Improvement of the educational system. English language gains importance. Experimentation, Drama, theatre and Shakespeare. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE Born April 23, 1564 at Stratford–upon-Avon. Died April 23, 1616. He was 52-years-old. William was the child of John Shakespeare, a leather trader and Mary Arden. William attended the King's New School in Stratford where he learned Latin and studied the classics. He married Anne Hathaway in 1582 and had 3 children. He moved to London between the mid to late 1580s. He was part of the acting group called The Lord Chamberlain’s Men (the group was named the King’s Men after the crowning of King James I in 1603). Shakespeare wrote more than 30 plays and 154 sonnets. His Plays are divided into histories, comedies, tragedies and romances. ELIZABETHAN THEATRE THE GLOBE THEATRE It was one of the most famous Elizabethan theatres. It was composed of three levels of galleries surrounding a circular yard. Shakespeare’s plays were performed in this theatre. He was part owner of the theatre. The acting company had about 25 actors, all were male. Parts of the Globe Theatre During the Performances: 1. The “groundlings” stood in the yard while the richer patrons sat in the more expensive seats in the balconies. 2. People were allowed to eat during performances and shout at the actors if something the actors did or said displeased them. 3. The performances did not have any scenery except for props such as a throne, a bed or a cannon. But the actors wore colourful and extravagant costumes. 1. The Globe theatre was burned to the ground in 1613. A prop cannon used for special effects during the first night of the performance of Henry VIII exploded and burnt the thatched roof. 2. It was rebuilt on the same site in 1614. 3. It was finally closed in 1642 and demolished in 1644 by the Puritans. 4. A replica was built in 1997. The End of the Globe Theater - the Puritans In 1642, the Puritans forced the English Parliament to close down all the theatres. The Puritans also known as Parliamentarians were a religious group that was against the Roman Catholic Church and in favour of simpler church structures. They also disapproved of social activities that were characterized by frivolous behaviour and finery. In 1642 the English Civil war broke out between the Puritans whose leader was Oliver Cromwell and the Royalists lead by King Charles I. In 1644 the Globe Theatre was demolished by the Puritans. In 1647 stricter rules were applied regarding stage plays and theatres. In 1648 all playhouses were pulled down. All players were seized and whipped, and the audience was fined five shillings. In 1649 the Puritans executed King Charles I. In 1653 Oliver Cromwell became Lord Protector of England. In 1658 Cromwell died and his ideas and followers declined. In 1660 King Charles II reopened the theatres. But the Globe was never re-built. In the 20th century (1997) a reconstruction of a New Globe Theatre was built near the spot. Ancient Greek and Elizabethan Theater: differences and similarities Much like Elizabethan England, ancient Greece only allowed men to participate in the plays. Both had minimum scenery. Actors wore masks and costumes. The main dissimilarity was that the Greek drama was rooted in religion and not entertainment. Performances of Greek tragedy involved ritual. Tragic festivals were religious in nature because they were celebrations of the god Dionysus, god of wine and fertility. Initially the theater was part of the temple. The plays were performed each year at the Festival of Dionysus, in which great writers would compete. On the other hand Shakespeare’s plays involve ghosts, spirits and witches, that is supernatural elements. Plays are tragedies, comedies, tragicomedies and romances. Both theatres have similarities in structure. They seat the audience in a semi-circular or circular tiered design, have a stage and the Elizabethan theatre is partly roofed. Both the Aside (something spoken by an actor, intended to be heard by the audience, but not by those on stage) and the Chorus secretly provided information about the characters and plot only to the audience. Tragic heroes in both theatres experience their downfall after the climax and then the drama’s resolution takes place. Tragedies provide philosophical insight and in particular the hero’s selfawareness or enlightenment in the Ancient Greek Tragedies. Not all Elizabethan characters are benevolent tragic heroes, Macbeth for instance is not. The tragic hero could excite two emotions in the audience: fear and pity. Finally, the restoration of order provided the experience of Catharsis in both the hero and the audience. Exercises When was the Ancient Greek Theatre developed? What was the orchestra? What was the parodos? What was the Skene? What were the general features of Ancient Greek tragedy? When was Shakespeare born and when did he die? In which town was Shakespeare raised? Who was the reigning monarch during Shakespeare’s life? Where were his plays performed? What were the two names of the Shakespeare’s Acting Company? What were the main differences/similarities between Ancient Greek and Elizabethan Theater? Quizzes http://quizlet.com/31398775/vocabulary-flashcards/ http://quizlet.com/31397527/structure-of-ancientgreek-theatre-and-tragedy-flash-cards/ http://quizlet.com/31397138/elizabethan-englishin-modern-greek-flash-cards/ http://www.myvocabulary.com/word-gamepuzzles/shakespeare-vocabulary/definition-match/ Webography http://web.eecs.utk.edu/~mclennan/Classes/US210/Greek-play.html http://narrativestructures.wisc.edu/aristotle http://academic.reed.edu/humanities/110tech/theater.html#structure http://ucbclassics.dreamhosters.com/djm/classes/Structure.html http://www.thefreedictionary.com/PReCEDE http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/theatron http://www.crystalinks.com/greektheater.html http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/ http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/479892/Protestantism http://www.biography.com/people/william-shakespeare-9480323 http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/122 http://www.william-shakespeare.info/william-shakespeare-globe-theatre.htm http://skaourisclass.wikispaces.com/The+Globe+Theater http://www.oocities.org/trichard_ca/Globe.html http://www.britannica.com/shakespeare/article-248150 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o978_nEhyMM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_gby5JoE6g&list=PL16D3CC0AB4AB8DCB http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-emergence-of-drama-as-a-literary-art-mindy-ploeckelmann http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDkt1MlLdgc http://www.whitman.edu/theatre/theatretour/glossary/glossary.htm