Introduction To Greek Theatre and
Tragedy
Genre: Greek Tragedy
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the word "tragedy" refers primarily to tragic drama: a literary
composition written to be performed by actors in which a central
character called a tragic protagonist or hero suffers some serious
misfortune which is not accidental and therefore meaningless, but is
significant in that the misfortune is logically connected with the hero's
actions. Tragedy stresses the vulnerability of human beings whose
suffering is brought on by a combination of human and divine actions,
but is generally undeserved with regard to its harshness
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The Acropolis
The Parthenon
Theatre of Dionysus
Theatre of Dionysus
Side by Side
Greek Masks
• Functions of Greek Masks
 Portrayed different emotions
 Amplified voices
 Allowed actors to portray
different characters
Attire
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The Chiton
Chotharnus- elevating shoes
Chalmys- short cloak
Himation- long cloak
Qualities of Greek Drama
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Performed on special occasions or
festivals for worshipping Dionysus
Competitive- prizes awarded (maybe a
goat!)
Choral-singing was very important, Greek
Theatre evolved from from a chorus
singing
Closely associated with religion and
worshipping gods.
Structure of Greek Drama and Sophocles’ Plays
Here are a few characteristics of the structure of Greek Drama:
Violence and Death Offstage
§ Frequent use of messengers to relate information
§ Usually a single place (setting)
§ Stories based on myth or history, but varied interpretations of both
Here are some characterisitics of a Sophocles’ play:
§ Emphasis on individual chatacters
§ Reduced role of the Chorus
§ Complex characters, psychologicall well-motivated
§ Characters subjected to crisis which leads to suffering and self-recognition
§ Common Theme: The choices people make and consequences
The Greek Chorus
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The Chorus began in numbers as large
as 50, then smaller sizes as actors
become more predominate. They
provided time for scene changes,
introduced background and summary
information. Their dance and chanting
provided the visionary experience that
separated audience from the actor and
the essence of tragedy.
Ideal spectator: reacts as the audience
should. Asks questions, takes part in the
play
Establishes framework, sets the standard
by which action will be judged
Heightens dramatic effect through
movement, song and dance
Rhythmical Function-pauses/paces the
action so audience can reflect and actors
can rest/prepare
So What does all this mean?
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Big Theatre
Big Characters
Big Emotions
Big Consequences- for one person!
Who could that be!
THE TRAGIC HERO!
Aristotle’s Tragic Hero
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Tragedy should evoke a sense of pity and fear in the audience
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Tragedy can only arouse the sense of pity and fear if the hero is
neither completely good nor completely bad
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The tragic hero should be highly renowned and prosperous
because the hero must fall from tremendous good fortune in order to
feel pity and fear
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The hero experiences a downfall because of their “error or
frailty. This means either:
 ｧ their tragic flaw ( a fundamental character weakness, such as
destructive pride, ruthless ambition or obsessive jealousy.)
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or
 ｧ a single error of judgment
Tragic Hero Continued
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Regardless of how one interprets the “error or frailty”, the
key point is that the hero is on some level responsible for their
downfall.
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By the end of the play the hero comes to recognize their
error and accept the consequences as their own fault
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The real tragic hero is humbled and enlightened b the
tragedy
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The tragic hero evokes our pity because he is not evil
and his misfortune is greater than he deserves, and he evokes
our fear because we realize we are fallible and could make the
same error