Introduction to Greek
Drama
Ms. M. Jackson
10th Grade Literature
Language Arts Department
Standards Covered
ELAWLRL1 The student demonstrates
comprehension by identifying evidence in a
variety of texts representative of different
genres and using this evidence as the basis for
interpretation.
ELAWLRL3 The student deepens understanding
of literary works from around the world by
relating them to their contemporary context or
historical background, as well as to works from
other time periods.
ELAWLRL1
The student identifies, analyzes, and applies knowledge of
the themes, structures, and elements of dramatic
literature from around the world and provides evidence
from the text to support understanding; the student:
a. Identifies and analyzes types of dramatic literature (i.e.,
classical tragedy and culturally specific forms such as
commedia dell’arte).
b. Analyzes the characters, structures, and themes of
dramatic literature.
c. Identifies and analyzes dramatic elements, (i.e., unity of
time, place, and action; tragic hero; deus ex machina;
recognition; reversal; chorus; aside; dramatic irony).
d. Identifies and analyzes how dramatic elements support
and enhance the interpretation of dramatic literature.
ELAWLRL3
a. Relates a literary work to primary source documents of its literary
period or historical setting.
b. Relates a literary work to the seminal ideas of the time and place in
which it is set or the time and place of its composition.

i. Greek

ii. Roman

iii. Classical Multicultural

iv. Western European

v. Contemporary Multicultural
c. Compares and contrasts specific characteristics of different genres as
these genres develop and change over time and across cultures
(i.e., classical multicultural with contemporary multicultural,
Western with Eastern European).
d. Analyzes a variety of cross-cultural works representing different
genres within the same specific time period in order to identify
types of discourse (i.e., satire, parody, allegory, pastoral) that
cross the lines of genre classifications.
Essential Questions



How do individuals develop values and beliefs?
What happens when belief systems of societies
and individuals come into conflict?
How is comprehension of literary text enhanced
when the reader relates the work to
contemporary contexts and historical events?
Classical Drama



Classical Drama began in ancient Greece
in sixth century B.C. (599-500)
Religious festivals took place in Athens
each spring in honor of Dionysus, the god
of wine and fertility
A chorus of masked dancers performed on
a circular stage singing hymns to
Dionysus.
Classical Drama



In 535 BC, Thespis of Icaria introduced the first
actor on stage. (The word thespian, which
comes from his name, means actor)
The actor impersonated various characters by
wearing different masks and costumes and took
part in a dialogue with the leader of the chorus.
Throughout the sixth and fifth centuries, Greek
plays kept their religious purpose. The word
tragedy reflects this purpose. Tragedy comes
from the Greek word for goat, which was the
sacrificial animal for Dionysus
Greek Writers of Tragedy


Greatest writers of Greek tragedy were
Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides.
These writers based their plays on familiar
legends and myths. The audience knew
the story behind the play.
Aeschylus



The earliest of the three great dramatists,
Aeschylus (c. 525-455 BC) was born of a
noble family near Athens
He wrote between 80 and 90 plays,
winning first prize at least 13 times in
dramatic competitions
Known as the founder of Greek tragedy,
he diminished the role of the chorus and
added a second actor
Sophocles



The son of a wealthy arms manufacturer,
Sophocles (c. 496-406 BC) was a beloved
and highly successful public figure
He wrote 123 dramas, winning 24 first
prizes and never finished lower than
second in dramatic competitions
He increased the number of chorus
members and added a third actor
Sophocles




Was born in Colonus, outside of Athens,
Greece in 495 B. C.
Schooled in poetry, music and dancing
At fifteen, he earned a reputation as a
performer, leading a chorus of boys in the
paean (hymn of victory and thanksgiving
to the gods
Established playwright, authored more
than 120 plays
Sophocles



In 468 B.C., at age 28, he won first prize
at the festival of Dionysus (Dionysia) over
Athens’ established playwright, Aeschylus
Playwrights had to complete 3 tragedies
and 1 satyr-play (tetralogy); means 4
He won first place 24 times; he wrote 96
first place award winning plays & 7 second
place awards out of 31 competitions he
entered
Sophocles



Out of over 120 plays, only 7 still exist in
their entirety: Ajax, Antigone, Electra,
Oedipus Rex, The Trachiniae, Philoctetes,
Oedipus at Colonus
The Oedipus plays are thought of as a
trilogy, but they were not written as such
Antigone (440 B.C.); Oedipus Rex (430
B.C.); Oedipus at Colonus (401 B.C.)
Sophocles



Involved in the technical aspect of the Greek
theatre
Introduced the idea of painted scenery, varied
the types of music sung by the chorus,
increased the size of the cast from 12 to 15,
and the number of actors in a production from
2 to 3 (clarified plot development and
distinguished between characters)
Introduced elaborate costumes (esp. the
masks)
Sophocles



Involved in civic level of society
Served as a general under Pericles and
was a key negotiator in the Peloponnesian
War
In his role as priest, he was concerned
with an individual’s need to find his/her
own place in the moral and cosmic order
of the universe
Sophocles
Themes of his Plays





His plays contain moral lessons, usually
pertaining to man’s duty to the gods and
the avoidance of excessive pride
He was considered especially blessed by
the gods
Highly revered in society
Died in 406 B. C.
A shrine (Dexion – the entertainer) was
established in his honor; annual sacrifices
are offered in his memory
Euripides



The youngest of the three great dramatists,
Euripides (c. 484-406 BC) was the least
appreciated and the most controversial because
he did not participate in the public life of Athens
He wrote at least 88 plays, winning first prize
only 4 times in dramatic competitions
He reduced the role of the chorus even further
and questioned traditional religious beliefs and
brought a psychological realism to the stage
Greek Comedy



Comedy was not as popular to the Greeks
The greatest of the Greek comic
dramatists was Aristophanes (c. 445-385)
Not much is known about Aristophanes,
but he incorporated the use of parody,
exaggeration, and satire to mock
prominent people and new ways of
thought
Greek Drama



Classical Drama is one of the greatest
legacies left by the ancient Greeks
Many plays and their conventions have
influenced modern drama and countless
playwrights
The Greeks are credited with inventing
drama
Notable Plays







The Oresteia – Aeschylus
Prometheus Bound – Aeschylus
Antigone – Sophocles
Oedipus Rex – Sophocles
Oedipus at Colonus – Sophocles
Medea – Euripides
Lysistrata - Aristophanes