Ancient Greek Theatre
UNIT 2
Name______________________
How did theatre begin?
• Dithyrambs – poems, chants,
or hymns sung at festivals to
worship the god, Dionysus.
• Dionysus is the god of fertility,
festivities, and wine.
• He is the patron of the arts and
inspires creativity.
• The dithyrambs at the festivals
that worshiped Dionysus were
the origins of theatre.
Parts of the Greek Theater
• Orchestra – “dancing space” where the actors
would perform.
• Theatron – “viewing place” where the
audience would watch the performances.
• Skene – “tent” the background scenery and a
place to store costumes and props.
• Parados – “passageways” where actors and
audience members would enter/exit.
Ancient Greek Theater Diagram
The first Greek theater was called “Theatre of Dionysus”
Greek Tragedies
• Protagonist, the leading
character, makes huge mistake
and the world crumbles around
him/her.
• Ends in death of protagonist.
• Tragic Flaw – a fatal flaw that is
the cause of the downfall of
the hero/heroine
Greek Comedies
• A “happy idea” is put forth by
one of the characters.
• This idea is put into
application.
• Situations are exaggerated.
• Typically about low class
citizens.
• Satyr plays – made fun of
politics, based in Greek
mythology, and had a chorus
of satyrs.
Greek Theatre Festivals
• “City Dionysia” – the main
festival of entertainment to
honor Dionysus.
• Typically 3 tragedies and 1
comedy/satyr in one day.
• Festival lasted several days
during March/April time
period.
• The festival would be
judged for the best
playwright/plays.
Greek Actors
• Thespis – the first person
ever to appear on stage as
an actor playing a character
in a play. (This is where the
word “thespian”, meaning
actor, comes from.)
• No women actors.
• 3 actors would play all the
main roles.
• Actors used masks to
distinguish between the
characters being played.
The Greek Chorus
Duties of the Chorus
• Narrated the story
• Sang and danced
• Commented on the
play’s action
• Represented the public
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Greek Playwrights
Aeschylus
• Father of tragedy
• Increased the number of
characters in plays.
• First to present plays in a
trilogy.
Euripedes
Sophocles
• Most popular playwright
and won most
competitions.
• Developed characters in
depth.
• Lessened the importance of
the Chorus.
• Shows sympathy to all members of society, including
women.
• Unpopular at festivals.
• Displayed heros as ordinary people.