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Greek Theatre
A guide to the Aristotelian
Tragedy
Definition

Defined by Aristotle
 An
imitation of action that is serious,
complete, and of a certain magnitude

Form of action, not narrative
 Emphasis
on the act and not the story
Tragic Hero

Person of high status, neither good nor
bad
 Dominated

by hubris—arrogant pride
Tragic Flaw
 Trait
that brings the character’s downfall—
leads to an error in judgment.
 Trait itself is not necessarily bad, it’s just
taken to extremes.
Elements of Tragedy

Concept of Justice

Everyone gets what he or she deserves—the hero
sees this as well


This means, wrong actions=punishment
Catharsis
We experience pity or fear for the tragic hero when
he suffers his downfall.
 We know we could easily be in their place, too.
 This has a therapeutic quality—we learn to be better
people

Parts of a Greek Play

Prologue: First Scene

Provides the exposition
Parados: entry of the chorus
Episodes (5): The action performed by the
actors
 Stasima: performed by the chorus




Often provided commentary on the action in the
episodes
Exodos: the final section


Resolution of the action
Exit of the actors and chorus
The Theatre
Greek theatre involved a week-long
religious event
 Plays performed to honor the god
Dionysus
 Began with just a chorus and dancing—
evolved into the characters and action we
will read in Antigone

Theatre, cont.

Thespsis: The first actor


Originally, Thespis performed all of the action. Later,
other actors were added in.
Chorus: Serves as commentator on the action



Might represent or inform the action
Models appropriate responses to the audience
Shows the passage of time and questions new
characters so the audience learns identity and
purpose.
Theatre
Costumes: Longsleeved robes and
boots
 Masks: Identified the
character and
amplified the voice


Actors portrayed
emotion through
action and voice only
Theatre
The Theatre Itself

Three Levels
 Orchestra—Where
the chorus was
 Stage
 Roof
of the skene (also a dressing room)
No curtain, but there was painted scenery
 “The Machine”—Operated on pulleys and
raised/lowered flying figures and gods

 Deus
Ex Machina: (God from the machine)
often gives a formal conclusion to the play
Why the Conflict in Antigone?

Antigone’s two brothers alternated their
rule over Thebes
 Eteocles
ruled first, but decided not to give it
up when it was Polynices’ turn
Polynices left and got support to attack
Thebes in order to gain the throne.
 Both brothers were killed in the battle.

Burial
Since Eteocles fought with Thebes,he was
given a proper burial; Polynices was not.
 Without a burial, a person could not enter
the afterlife
 Antigone felt it was her duty to give her
brother a proper burial, in spite of the
possible punishment.

Characters in Antigone
Antigone—Daughter of Oedipus; Goes
against Creon’s order and buries her
brother.
 Ismene—Other daughter of Oedipus
 Creon—Jocasta’s brother; Ruler of Thebes
after the death of Eteocles
 Haemon—Son of Creon; Engaged to
Antigone (it’s a little gross if you think
about it)

Characters, cont.
Chorus—townspeople, comment on action
 Sentry—Keeps watch over Polynices’ body;
Acts as comic relief
 Teiresias—The blind seer (Odysseus meets
him in the underworld)
 Eurydice—Creon’s wife
 The Messenger—The bearer of (bad) news
