Classical+Greek+Drama

"Drama" as we have come to know it in the **West** had its origins in Ancient Greece.

The history and development of Greek Drama T he origins of Greek Tragedy and Comedy are obscure and controversial.

Greeks from the 5th century BC onwards were fascinated by the question of the origins of tragedy and comedy. They were unsure of their exact origins, but Aristotle and a number of other writers proposed theories of how tragedy and comedy developed. They told stories about the people thought to be responsible for their development.

Indeed, some say that dramas are called drama because their authors represent the characters as "doing" drama. And it is on this basis that the Dorians [the Spartans, etc.] claim to the invention of both tragedy and comedy. Comedy is claimed by the Megarians in Greece, who say it began among them at the time when they became a democracy [c. 580 BC]. While tragedy is claimed by certain Dorians of the Peloponnese. They offer the words as evidence, noting that outlying villages, called //dêmoi// by the Athenians, are called //kômai// by them. Alleging that //kômôdoi// (comedians) acquired their name, not from //kômazein// (to revel), but from the fact that, being expelled in disgrace from the city, they wandered from village to village. The Dorians further point out that their word for "to do" is //drân//, whereas the Athenians use //prattein//. (Aristotle: //Poetics// Chapter 3)  Timeline of Greek Theater 7th Century BC
 * 625 Arion produces and named dithyrambic choruses. **
 * *A dithyramb is an emotional choric hymn or speech﻿ **

6th Century BC
 * 600-570 Cleisthenes, tyrant of Sicyon, transfers "tragic choruses" to Dionysus **
 * 540-527 Pisistratus, tyrant of Athens, founds the festival of the Greater Dionysia, an annual springtime dramatic festival **
 * 536-533 **Thespis **puts on tragedy at festival of the Greater Dionysia in Athens. Thespis is known as the first actor of tragedy, thus actors are called "Thespians".**
 * 525 Aeschylus born. First writer of a tragedy **
 * 511-508 Phrynichus' first victory in tragedyc. **
 * 500 Pratinus of Phlius introduces the satyr play to Athens. ﻿A satyr is a mythological figure-half man, half goat. **

5th Century BC 4th Century BC
 * 499-496 Aeschylus' first dramatic competitionc.**
 * 496 Sophocles born**
 * 492 Phrynicus' //Capture of Miletus//**
 * 485 Euripides born**
 * 484 Aeschylus' first dramatic victory**
 * 472 Aeschylus' //Persians//**
 * 467 Aeschylus' //Seven Against Thebes//**
 * 468 Aeschylus defeated by Sophocles in dramatic competition**
 * 463? Aeschylus' //Suppliant Women//**
 * 458 Aeschylus'** //Oresteia **(Agamemnon, Libation Bearers, Eumenides)**//
 * 456 Aeschylus diesc.**
 * 450 Aristophanes born. Aristophanes was the first great wrier of satirical comedy.**
 * 447 Parthenon begun in Athensc.**
 * 445 Sophocles' //Ajax//**
 * 441 Sophocles' //Antigone//**
 * 438 Euripides' //Alcestis//**
 * 431-404 Peloponnesian War (Athens and allies vs. Sparta and allies)**
 * 431 Euripides' //Medea//c.**
 * 429 Sophocles'** //Oedipus the King//
 * 428 Euripides' //Hippolytus//**
 * 423 Aristophanes' //Clouds//**
 * 415 Euripides' //Trojan Women//**
 * 406 Euripides dies; Sophocles dies**
 * 405 Euripides' //Bacchae//**
 * 404 Athens loses Peloponnesian War to Sparta**
 * 401 Sophocles' //Oedipus at Colonus//**
 * 399 Trial and death of Socratesc.**
 * 380's Plato's //Republic// includes critique of Greek tragedy and comedy.**
 * 330's Aristotle's //Poetics// includes defense of Greek tragedy and comedy**

There are typically two or three singer-actors (who may take several roles each) and a chorus of twelve to fifteen, generally arranged in a rectangle. In addition there is a musician playing the double reed-pipe (//aulos//) and possibly supernumeraries ("spear-carriers").
 * The **structure of a classical play:**

Typical Structure of a Tragedy
Typically the parode and other choral odes involve the following parts, repeated in order several times:
 * 1) **Prologue:** A monologue or dialogue preceding the entry of the chorus, which presents the tragedy's topic.
 * 2) **Parode (Entrance Ode):** The entry chant of the chorus, often in an anapestic, marching rhythm. Generally, they remain on stage throughout the remainder of the play. Although they wear masks, their dancing is expressive, as conveyed by the hands, arms and body.
 * 1) //Strophê (Turn):// A stanza in which the chorus moves in one direction usually toward the altar.
 * 2) //Antistrophê (Counter-Turn):// The following stanza, in which it moves in the opposite direction.
 * 3) //Epode (After-Song):// The epode is chanted by the chorus standing still. The epode is often omitted.
 * 4) **Episode:** There are several //episodes,// typically 3-5, in which one or two actors interact with the chorus. They are sung or chanted.
 * 5) **Stasimon (Stationary Song):** A choral ode in which the chorus may comment on or react to the preceding episode.
 * 6) **Exode (Exit Ode):** The exit song of the chorus after the last episode.

Typical Structure of a Comedy
Aristophanic comedies have a more elaborate structure than the typical tragedy. The chorus is also larger: 24 (as opposed to 12-15). First the chorus leader chants about some important, topical issue, typically ending with a tongue twister. Next the chorus sings, and there are typically four parts to the choral performance:
 * 1) **Prologue:** As in tragedies.
 * 2) **Parode (Entrance Ode):** As in tragedies, but the chorus takes up a position either for or against the hero.
 * 3) **Agôn (Contest):** Two speakers debate the issue, and the first speaker loses. Choral songs may occur towards the end.
 * 4) **Parabasis (Coming Forward):** After the other characters have left the stage, the chorus members remove their masks and step out of character to address the audience.
 * 1) //Ode:// Sung by one half of the chorus and addressed to a god.
 * 2) //Epirrhema (Afterword):// A satyric or advisory chant on contemporary issues by the leader of that half-chorus.
 * 3) //Antode (Answering Ode):// An answering song by the other half of the chorus.
 * 4) //Antepirrhema (Answering Afterword)// An answering chant by the leader of the second half-chorus, which leads back to the comedy.
 * 5) **Episode:** As in tragedies, but primarily elaborating on the outcome of the agon.
 * 6) **Exode (Exit Song):** As in tragedy, but with a mood of celebration and possibly with a riotous revel (//cômos//), joyous marriage, or both.

The **Elements of Greek drama:** In a novel, the author describes details of environment and thinking/ feeling of various characters. In a drama, ‘environment’ and ‘thinking/ emotions’ of characters are not ‘described’ but are ‘presented’. Environment is presented through stage design whereas thinking/ emotions of characters are presented through background music plus facial expressions etc. of actors (i.e. characters). A novel states the background of its story, just like in short stories, but the rest of the proceedings is ‘evolved’ out of description of environment and interactions between characters. This means that the author of a novel doesn’t tell all of the story to readers because the readers have to interpret the story from the description of situations that are faced by characters as well as out of dialogues.

In a drama, everything including background, emotions, and dialogues between characters are not ‘described’ but are ‘presented’. All of the story’s proceedings come out of dialogues between characters or even out of ‘self-talking’ of characters. Unlike a novel, in a drama, even the relationship between characters is not described. Audiences should understand the relationship between those characters from the interaction between those characters or out of exchange of dialogues between them. **﻿**

**﻿** **Aristotle's** //**Poetics** (early dramatic theory)// //1.// The tragic hero is a character of noble stature and greatness, which is evident in the play. This character occupies a high status position and embodies nobility and virtue. 2. The tragic hero is not perfect. This character is seen as one of us 'mortals', although holds a high position in society. 3. The hero's downfall is partially her/his own fault; it's the result of free choice, not of accident or fate. The character's downfall is usually because of some error of judgment or character flaw. 4. The hero's misfortune is not fully deserved or the punishment exceeds the crime. 5. There is not complete loss in the hero's fall. There is an increase in awareness, gain of self-knowledge, or discovery on the part of the tragic hero. 6. A tragedy doesn't leave its audience depressed. The tragedy arouses emotions of pity and fear and also cleanse us of these emotions. **Greek drama was not considered enterainment, but instead in contributed to the good health of the community.

//Greek Tragedians:// Greek Comic Playwright *Writers and their plays are listed above on the timeline**
 * **//Sophocles//**
 * **//Euripides//**
 * **//Aeschylus//**
 * **Aristophanes**

__**Aristotle**__

Aristotle was born in Macedon, which is now a part of northernGreece. He lived from 384 to 322 BC. After studying with Plato for 20 years, he directed his own school for nine years. He traveled for a good portion of his life to many places in the ancient world. Aristotle is also credited for being the teacher of the well-know Alexander the Great.

Aristotle was a man of deep thought. As a philosopher, it was his job to think deeply and widely about the world and aspects of it. He liked to think of the world as if it were in "categories." He separated his thoughts into different groups and pondered them independently throughout his entire life. Aristotle's approach to his life was originally based on his studies with Plato, but as he spent more and more time away from Plato, his thoughts changed with the world around him. Also, his thoughts were never direct and clear. He often thought of life creatively or around a subject.

The concepts that were originally thought of by Aristotle are often still thought of today. He frequently came up with memorable quotes that are still use. Here are some examples of his quotes:

“All men by nature desire knowledge.” “All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind.” “A true friend is one soul in two bodies.” “Character may almost be called the most effective means of persuasion.” “Courage is a mean with regard to fear and confidence.”

Reference: 1. MacLennan, Bruce. "Typical Structure of a Greek Play." N.p., 14/09/1999. Web. 21 Sep 2011. []. 2. Barnes, Jonathan. //Aristotle//. Great Britain: Oxford Paperbacks, 1982. 27-35. Print. 3.khuram,. "Some Relations & Differences between ‘Novel’ & ‘Drama’:." Word Press, 02 Jan 2007. Web. 27 Sep 2011. [] 4. "Timeline Development of Greek Drama." //Greek Theater Timeline.// N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Oct 2011. [] 5. "Origins of Greek Drama." N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Oct 2011.[]