Greek History and Drama Notes

Women in Ancient Greece

• Athenian women had no legal rights and limited education.
• Arranged marriages in their teens to older men.
• Spartan women were essentially slaves.
• Women were expected to be loyal; men were not.
• Divorce was difficult for women due to financial dependence.
• The Gortyn Law improved women's rights, allowing divorce after having children.
• Aristotle believed equal rights for women were unnatural.
• Marriage soon after puberty was common.

Greek Gods

• Poseidon: God of the sea, earthquakes, and horses; brother of Zeus.
• Associated sea and earthquakes with tsunamis.
• Zeus: God of the sky and thunder; supreme ruler of Mount Olympus.
• Aphrodite: Goddess of love, beauty, and desire.
• Hermes: Messenger of the Gods; protector of travelers and merchants.

Greek Democracy

• Early form of democracy.
• Cleisthenes is a key figure.
• Direct democracy where free adult males could vote.
• Voting occurred multiple times a year.
• Flaws included no voting rights for women and slaves.
• Wealthy landowners dominated voting, leading to worker rebellions.

Sophocles

• Ancient Greek tragedian.
• Believed in inescapable fate.
• Introduced scenery-painting.
• Added emotion to plays.
• Wrote over 120 plays, 7 of which survived.
• Known for Oedipus and Antigone.

Greek Gods (Continued)

• Athena: Goddess of Wisdom, Warfare, and handicraft; patron and protector (Polias).
• Hera: Queen of the Gods; Goddess of Marriage; protector of women during birth.

Greek Tragedy

• Key Tragedians: Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides.
• Plot components followed Freytag's Pyramid.
• Mix of dialogue and chorus.
• Involved a prologue.
• Influenced Western literature.

Tragic Hero

• High position in society.
• Possesses a character flaw.
• Flaw leads to their downfall.
• Experiences self-realization by the play's end.

History of Greek Drama

• Originated from festivals celebrating Dionysus.
• Women were not allowed to act.
• Only three speaking actors were allowed.
• Masks made of linen, hair, and wood were used to show emotions and as megaphones.

Greek Tragedy Themes

• Associated with rituals in worship of Dionysus.
• Involve catharsis.
• Dealt with human problems, allowing audience to relate.