ENGLISH IIENGLISH II

MRS. MURPHYMRS. MURPHY

Introduction to AntigoneIntroduction to Antigoneand Early Greek Theaterand Early Greek Theater

What comes to mind when you What comes to mind when you hear the word Greece?hear the word Greece?

What do you think of when you What do you think of when you hear the word theater?hear the word theater?

Origins of DramaOrigins of Drama Drama began during the Drama began during the

sixth century, B.C. as part of sixth century, B.C. as part of a religious festival that was a religious festival that was intended to honor the god intended to honor the god DionysosDionysos, the god of wine, , the god of wine, agriculture and fertility. agriculture and fertility. These festivals were held These festivals were held annually in March and annually in March and followed certain rituals, or followed certain rituals, or patterns. Festival goers patterns. Festival goers spent an entire week drinking spent an entire week drinking wine and worshiping the wine and worshiping the phallus. The early Greeks phallus. The early Greeks also spent much time singing also spent much time singing chants (while very drunk) in chants (while very drunk) in order to praise Dionysos. order to praise Dionysos.

Origins of DramaOrigins of Drama While drunk and singing these songs of praise, While drunk and singing these songs of praise,

worshipers also danced around an altar. This worshipers also danced around an altar. This group of people were called a group of people were called a choruschorus. . Eventually a man named Eventually a man named ThespisThespis began to began to write down these songs and revised them so write down these songs and revised them so that they would tell a story. that they would tell a story.

After a while Thespis decided to have one After a while Thespis decided to have one member of the chorus step away from the member of the chorus step away from the others to play the part of a hero or god. He others to play the part of a hero or god. He wore a special mask and began talking to the wore a special mask and began talking to the chorus. This was the first chorus. This was the first charactercharacter!!

Continuing Changes in DramaContinuing Changes in Drama The modern theater we The modern theater we

know today has his origins know today has his origins in Greek drama as well. A in Greek drama as well. A man named man named AeschylusAeschylus decided to add a second decided to add a second character to the character to the performance. The second performance. The second character allowed character allowed conflictconflict to be shown on the stage. to be shown on the stage. Now that conflict was able Now that conflict was able to be seen on stage, drama to be seen on stage, drama as we know it was born.as we know it was born.

The First Greek TheatersThe First Greek TheatersThe first theaters were all outdoors and were called amphitheaters. Many resembled a semi-circular football stadium. Seats were carved out of stone on a hillside. The stage area was at the bottom and was where the chorus members sang and danced around an altar.

What were early Greek plays What were early Greek plays about?about?

When many think of ancient When many think of ancient Greece, they imagine white Greece, they imagine white pillars and elaborately pillars and elaborately dressed gods and goddesses dressed gods and goddesses in a calm and serene in a calm and serene setting. The early Greek setting. The early Greek plays were anything but plays were anything but calm and dealt with topics calm and dealt with topics such as war, murder, lust, such as war, murder, lust, and betrayal. and betrayal.

These early plays were also These early plays were also either a either a tragedy or a tragedy or a comedycomedy. .

Parts of a Greek TheaterParts of a Greek TheaterThe earliest Greek theaters had four The earliest Greek theaters had four

major parts:major parts: thethe orchestraorchestra—the circular area of —the circular area of

the theater where the actors would the theater where the actors would sing and dancesing and dance

the theatronthe theatron—where—where attendees attendees would sit to view the actionwould sit to view the action

thethe paradosparados—a long narrow —a long narrow passageway that actors used to passageway that actors used to make entrances and exitsmake entrances and exits

the skenethe skene—a—a building located building located behind the stage that was designed behind the stage that was designed to look like a temple, palace or to look like a temple, palace or other structure needed. It served other structure needed. It served as a prop and also allowed actors as a prop and also allowed actors to make entrances and exitsto make entrances and exits

Costumes and Props in Early Costumes and Props in Early Greek DramaGreek Drama

Actors in these early plays did not rely on elaborate Actors in these early plays did not rely on elaborate costumes to tell the characters apart. Instead they costumes to tell the characters apart. Instead they used used huge maskshuge masks to distinguish between characters.to distinguish between characters.

Using masks also allowed actors to play one than Using masks also allowed actors to play one than more role. The only costume change involved was more role. The only costume change involved was adding a new mask.adding a new mask.

The masks had very The masks had very large mouthpieceslarge mouthpieces that that amplified the sound of the actors’ voices, and often amplified the sound of the actors’ voices, and often had large eye openings as well. (Remember no had large eye openings as well. (Remember no microphones were available during this time.) These microphones were available during this time.) These masks usually represented familiar characters that masks usually represented familiar characters that would be easily recognized by the audience. would be easily recognized by the audience.

Greek Masks (cont.)Greek Masks (cont.)

Colors were used in the Colors were used in the masks as well to convey masks as well to convey emotion. Most were some emotion. Most were some shade of red since there shade of red since there were made of terra cotta.were made of terra cotta.

Wigs were also frequently Wigs were also frequently added to help distinguish added to help distinguish between characters.between characters.

Today the symbols of the Today the symbols of the mask has come to mask has come to symbolize theater symbolize theater worldwide. worldwide.

Examples of Greek MasksExamples of Greek Masks

The First ActorsThe First ActorsThe first actors were all men, despite The first actors were all men, despite

whether their role was male or female. whether their role was male or female. To represent a female character, the To represent a female character, the

actor would use a mask with womanly actor would use a mask with womanly features. features.

Because it was quick and easy to Because it was quick and easy to change the masks that distinguished change the masks that distinguished characters, actors often played several characters, actors often played several roles within a single play. roles within a single play.

Assignment TimeAssignment Time Today we discussed the origins of Greek drama, Today we discussed the origins of Greek drama,

and we learned that the actors relied on masks to and we learned that the actors relied on masks to help the audience distinguish between characters help the audience distinguish between characters in the play.in the play.

Create a mask that could have been used by these Create a mask that could have been used by these early Greeks. You may choose whether your early Greeks. You may choose whether your character is male or female, but your mask must character is male or female, but your mask must demonstrate the key characteristics of the early demonstrate the key characteristics of the early Greek masks. Greek masks. After your mask is complete, write a After your mask is complete, write a paragraph that explains why your mask is like paragraph that explains why your mask is like those of the early Greeks. those of the early Greeks.