(886) Thespis, Athens, and The Origins of Greek Drama: Crash Course Theater #2

Introduction to the Origins of Western Drama

The episode focuses on ancient Greece and the origins of Western drama, specifically exploring the role of Dionysus.
Dionysus is associated with wild rituals, including women purportedly tearing apart animals in the countryside.
Sources such as "The Bacchae" by Euripides provide insight into the relationship between religion and early theater.

By the 6th century BCE, Dionysus became a very prominent deity in Greece, particularly in rituals celebrating him.
One common ritual involved processions where participants sang dithyrambs (songs in praise of Dionysus) and carried phallic symbols.
Dithyrambs are theorized to have evolved into theater as singers began to act out their lyrics.
Thespis, the first known actor, is credited with stepping out from the dithyramb chorus to perform individual characters, giving rise to the term "thespian."

Thespis introduced the use of masks to switch between characters, establishing the format of one actor and a chorus.
Early Greek tragedy still resembled dithyrambs, combining music, poetry, and performance to tell stories.
The word "tragedy" comes from Greek terms for goat and song, possibly linked to animal sacrifices made during festivals.

Under tyrant Peisistratus, theater became institutionalized in Athens.
Peisistratus expanded the spring festival in honor of Dionysus to include theater competitions, known as the City Dionysia.
These festivals served to unite the citizens and reaffirm Athens's pride and identity.

Duration and Events: Lasted five or six days with various events including military tributes and dithyramb contests.
Audience: The outdoor amphitheater hosted around 14,000 spectators, including diverse segments of Athenian society.
Playwright Competitions: Each of the three playwrights had to present a tetralogy composed of three tragedies and a comedic satyr play.

Choregos: A wealthy citizen funded the productions, assembling artists, performers, and resources for the shows.
Playwrights: They often handled multiple roles, including directing and often acting in their own plays.
Performance Elements: Usually, three actors performed alongside a chorus, which sometimes involved dancing.

Located in Athens, it was an open-air amphitheater that has survived in ruins.
Key areas included the Theatron (seating area), Orchestra (performance area), and Thymele (altar).
Performers utilized a Skene (dressing hut) for mask changes and had two side entrances (Paradoi) for chorus movements.
The Deus Ex Machina allowed actors portraying gods to appear dramatically on stage.

Actors donned masks made of linen, creating a fearsome appearance with exaggerated features.
Costuming included robes and Cothurni (platform shoes) for height and dramatic effect.

Contest winners received significant honors, emphasizing the serious cultural and civic engagement of the audience.
Any perceived misconduct could lead to lawsuits, highlighting how seriously Athenians took these contests.

The 5th century saw the emergence of renowned playwrights: Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides.
Despite many works being lost, the preserved plays significantly influence contemporary theater.
Plays examined family dynamics, national identity, and moral questions, inviting societal reflection.

Aristotle's "Poetics" introduces the concept of catharsis— the emotional purging through pity and fear elicited by tragedy.
Viewing tragedies is posited as a societal necessity to process conflicting emotions productively.

The next episode will delve deeper into Aristotle's theories with a focus on Aeschylus's "Oresteia" trilogy.
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