Greek Theatre- Context

What time of year was the City Dionysia and why?

During march as 1- it was safer to travel by sea meaning more people could come and 2- march was the beginning of spring which symbolises new beginnings and Dionysus was the god of fertility.

What made the Athenians start worshipping Dionysus?

The people of Eleutherae came to Athens to join their citizenship and brought a cult statue of Dionysus but the Athenians refused to worship him. Suddenly the men’s genitals were plagues with disease and they believed it was a punishment so they agreed to worship, which was followed by the plague going going away. Then they created the City Dionysia.

What happened in the summer before the CD?

The eponymous archon selected three tragic playwrights (each writing three plays and one satyr play) and five comedians. He then selected a wealthy person to fund each play (one per play) called a choregos

Eponymous Archon

The chief magistrate of Athens who oversaw the law and festivals for a year

What happens a few days before the CD?

The proagon (pre-contest). The playwrights give a synopsis of the plays and introduces the actors, choregos and musicians. This was the first time actors were seen without masks.

Day 1 of the CD?

The pompe (grand procession) where a statue of Dionysus was carried through the city and ended at his sanctuary and a bull was sacrificed. A dithyramb competition was performed and then in the evening the Komos took place.

Dithyramb

A coral dance in honour of Dionysus. There was a contest that involved 100 people from 10 different tribes.

Day 2 of the CD?

The opening ceremony with a piglet sacrifice and 10 important generals pour libations to the 12 olympian gods. Then there are three presentations: the Parade of Tributes, the Proclamation of Honours and the Parade of Orphans. Then the 5 comedy plays are performed.

Parade of Tributes

Money from subject allies of athens are presented for the Theatre- showing off allies and wealth

Proclomation of Honours

A crown is awarded to citizens who have done great things for the city- shows of good citizens and encourages other to do good for the city

Parade of Orphans

Boys whose fathers died while fighting for Athens are paraded in the city and given a suit of armour when they turned 18- shows that they are cared for by the city and honours the dead soldiers.

Day 3-5 of CD?

The three tragedies and the satyr play are performed each day. On the 5th day 10 judges write the plays in preference order and place them in an urn. The eponymous archon draws 5 and the playwright with the most votes win.

Satyr Play

Used as a comic relief after the tragedies and was a spin on old myths/ stories (satire)

What was the Theoric fund?

A fund set up by the government so that people who could not afford it could still attend the theatre

What happened a few days after the CD?

The festival was reviewed . If there were complaints the eponymous archon would be fined, if it was a success he would recieve a crown.

What was the watching area called?

Theatron

What was special about the way the theatron was built?

The play was visible from all seats and the acoustics meant everyone could hear clearly.

What was the circle between the stage and the seats?

The orchestra for the chorus and dancing. It may have had an altar as a reminder that Dionysus was watching

What was the wooden hut behind the stage and what was it used for?

The SKENE. It may have been painted for an general backdrop but it contained props and was where actors went to change. It would have had a trap door with a ladder to the top as a third acting area and was usually where gods appeared.

What was the aisle called

the parodos

Where did the VIPs sit?

The front row called the prohedria in special chairs called klisomi. In the direct middle there was a chair for the priest of Dionysus.

Where was the Theatre of Dionysus located and why?

the south side of athens for three reasons

1. protected from cold winds

2. between the acropolis (heart of the city) and sanctury of dionysus to show its importance

3. near the street of tripods which lead to be agora (marketplace)

What effect was the wheel platform?

The Ekkyklema. Was used to present the body of characters who had died off screen as a death wasn’t allowed to be portrayed on stage

What was the crane?

The Machane. Was positioned behind the skene and used to hoist characters (mainly gods) into the air.

The Actors

professional male actors. Only three were allowed on stage at a time (not including children) and each actor would play multipe roles. Used to only be one at a time until Aeschylus

The chorus?

origionally 12 but later 15 Athenian citizens that were the best singers and dancers that the choregos found.

Who accompanied the Chorus?

Aulos players (auletes)

What roles did the chorus fill?

Actors of large groups like townfolk, scene setters giving context, commentators on moral opinions, giving wider context to other myths, background mood, scene breakers so actors would have time to change.

What was a monody?

a solo song given by an actor in moments of emotional intensity

What was a kommos?

a formal song between actor and chorus at moments of heightened emotion

Describe the masks

made of cork, wood or linen witch tragic expressions and openings for eyes and mouth

What was a chiton?

full lenght ornately decorated robe

What was a himation?

a cloak to the knees

What was a kothornoi?

soft leather boots to the thigh

What are some parts of greek tragedies called?

prologue, parodos (song by chorus when they enter play), episode, stasimon (choral ode) repeat, exodus

What were messenger speeches?

Reports acts of violence, gives takes on moral messages and allowed for imagination.

What were Agons?

formal debates/ arguments, links to public speaking which was popular in athens at the time. Often used stichomythia (one line of verse per character). They usually failed to convince the opponent and made the situation worse

What is catharsis?

goal for the end of a tragedy- getting rid of all emotions, getting rid of fear and feeling glad at the end.

What did Aristotle say was the definition of a tragedy?

• beggining middle and end

• embellished language

• hamartia (downfall due to a mistake)

• hero who is neither wholly good or bad

• peripeteia (reversal) followed by anagnorisis (recognition)

What was Aristotle’s order of importance for things in tragedies?

1. plot

2. character

3. reasoning

4. verbal expression

5. song

6. spectacle

Euripides’ plays

Likes to shock his audiences

Had two types, escape tragedies with upbeat endings, romance and reunions and Pro-athenian tragedies.

Gods appear a lot, with mortals challenging their behaviour