drama end of year exam

Originates: Festival of Dionysos, the god of wine and revelry.

People would gather and have a party, and a goat would be slaughtered and eaten.

This led to stories being told about Dionysos and the story of resurrection – he is killed and

he comes back to life, like the seasons and renewal. The goat is killed and someone wears

the skin as if it has come back to life.

The cry of the goat as it is being killed is called TRAGOS – Goat Song – and this is where

Tragedy gets its name.

These stories lead to a competition every year in Athens, and the creation of the first plays.

The competition is very important. Famous playwrights who entered these competitions:

Sophocles, Aeschylus, Euripides amongst others.

The two masks of theatre come from Greece:

Sock – the smiling one – represents Comedy. Sock is the light sandal worn by the actor,

because Comedy has to be swift and light in movement and speech.

Buskin – the sad one – is Tragedy. Buskin is the heavy boot worn by the actor, because

Tragedy is heavy, slower and more grounded.

Masks were worn, which in many cases covered the whole head and were very strong in

features.

Main elements of Greek Theatre/Drama:

Protagonist – who the play is about/the hero

Antagonist – the opposition to the Protagonist/the villain (not really, but…)

Chorus – the commentator on the action and the group of characters affected by the actions

of the Protagonist and the Antagonist

Look back over your research on Greek Playwrights.

A Greek Amphitheatre:

Theatron – where the audience sits; the Auditorium. A semi-circular shape

Orchestra – where the dancing takes place; the stage for dancers

Skena – the structure at the back of the Orchestra, including a space for actors

SHAKESPEARE

FIRST NAME: William

BORN: approx.. 23 rd April 1564 (reign of Queen Elizabeth I, the last Tudor monarch)

Date of birth inexact: baptism (reception into Church by priest) is registered on documents.

Generally, this is within two or three days after the birth.

WHERE: Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire, in the West Midlands of England

FATHER: John Shakespeare, a glove maker. Respected member of civic society.

DIED: 23 rd April 1616 (reign of King James I, the first Stuart monarch)

23 rd April: Saint George’s Day, Patron Saint of England

Attended King Edward VI school in Stratford (still is a school)

Also known as: The Swan of Avon, The Bard, Sweet Will

WORKED: London

Profession: Actor, Producer, Playwright, some say he was also a spy…

Remembered today as Playwright

Generally accepted he wrote 38 plays

Also wrote 154 sonnets and two epic poems

Prolific.

Theatre associated with Shakespeare: The Globe

Burnt down during a performance of Henry VIII or All Is True. A cannon used for effect set

fire to the thatched roof. Theatre rebuilt in the late 20 th Century after campaign by famous US

actor Sam Wanamaker.

Globe Theatre

Part open air theatre, part covered.

Standing audience called GROUNDLINGS – the cheap seats.

Movies inspired by Shakespeare plays INCLUDE:

The Lion King (Hamlet)

West Side Story (Romeo and Juliet)

Kiss Me Kate (The Taming Of The Shrew)

Ran (King Lear)

Throne Of Blood (Macbeth)

Speeches from Romeo and Juliet and As You Like It