Antigone and Greek Theater Study Guide

Terms in this set (17)

-496-406 B.C.
-Added third actor
-Fixed number of Chorus to fifteen
-Introduced painted scenery
-Made each play of the trilogy separate in nature
-Age 16: Lead in choir of boys
-Age 28: competed in festival of plays in city of Dionysia
-Won first place prize in 468 B.C.
-Won 18 first place prizes
-Wrote 120 plays; 7 survived

Deus ex machina

Artificial or improbable character or event may be introduced to resolve the plot

-Larger than life masks
-Identified age, gender, emotion

-Long, flowing robes
-High boots, often with raised soles

Structure of the theater

A. Theatron-Seeing place where the audience sat
B. Orchestra-Circular dancing place where the actors and Chorus performed
C. Thymele- Altar to Dionysus in center of orchestra
D. Skene- Building used as dressing room
E. Proskenion-Facade of skene building which served as backdrop
F. Parodos- Entrance to the theater used by Chorus

Origin of Tragedy

-Religious festivals in honor of Dionysus
-City of Dionysia- Religious festival held in spring
-Dithyramb- Hymn sung in honor of the god
Chorus- Group of about 50 who sang and danced

-"Father of Drama"
- 6th Century B.C.
-Won prize for tragedy in 535 B.C.
-Introduced the first actor to the Chorus and therefore, dialogue

-525-426 B.C.
-Added second actor
-Wrote trilogies on unified themes

-486-406 B.C.
-Credited as the most tragic
-reduced participation of Chorus in main action
-Tried to humanize characters
-Relied on heavy prologues and dues ex machina endings

Chorus Music and Dance

-Musical accompaniment for choral odes were usually flutes, lyres and percussion
-Dance defined as expressive rhythmical movement

Chorus Function

-Sets overall mood and expresses theme
-Adds beauty (theatrical effectiveness) through song and dance
-Gives background information
-Divides action and offers reflections on events
-Questions, advises, expresses opinion- usually through Chorus leader called the Choragus
-Choragus: helps develop the theme and give insights

-Action: Simple plot
-Time: single day
-Place: one scene throughout

-Tells news happening away from the scene
-Reports acts of violence not allowed to be seen

Limitations of Theater

-Continuous presence of Chorus
-No intermissions; continuous flow of action and choral odes
-No lighting; no curtains

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