Outline• Intro• Structure of Greek Plays• Performance not “Naturalistic”• Theater as Part of Religious Festival• Role of Theater in Greek Society• Themes of Greek Plays• “Oresteia”• “The Persians”• “The Trojan Women”• The Oedipus Cycle• Greek Comedy

Introduction

• Democratic Artform—Civic Event

Introduction

• Democratic Artform—Civic Event• Public artform to explore human nature and

civic issues• Only some plays remain

Highly Ritualized Structure of Greek Plays

• Origins: Dithyramb• Second actor added• Eventually Third Actor (All Men)• Starts with Introduction and Choral Ode• Interspersed with Dialogue

Performance not “Naturalistic”

• Almost no scenery

Deus ex Machina

Performance not “Naturalistic”

• Almost no scenery• Heavy Mask

Theater Masks had exaggerated expression so people in the back could see what emotions they were expressing. They may have also had megaphones in them so the actors could be heard in back.

Performance not “Naturalistic”

• Almost no scenery• Heavy Mask• Heavy Robes

Performance not “Naturalistic”

• Almost no scenery• Heavy Mask• Heavy Robes• Relied on voices and highly ritualized

movements

Performance not “Naturalistic”

• Almost no scenery• Heavy Mask• Heavy Robes• Relied on voices and highly ritualized

movements• Not supposed to be “realistic”

Performance not “Naturalistic”

• Almost no scenery• Heavy Mask• Heavy Robes• Relied on voices and highly ritualized

movements• Not supposed to be “realistic”• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQOPFxuiaWQ

Theater as part of Religious Festival

• Festival for Dionysus

Theater as part of Religious Festival

• Festival for Dionysus• Dionysus

– God of wine, but also the god of social taboos– But also the force binding society together

Theater as part of Religious Festival

• Festival for Dionysus• Dionysus

– God of wine, but also the god of social taboos– But also the force binding society together

• Just a few days of the year

Theater as part of Religious Festival

• Festival for Dionysus• Dionysus

– God of wine, but also the god of social taboos– But also the force binding society together

• Just a few days of the year• Festival over three days

– One playwright each day– Trilogy and Satyr Play– Starts at Sunrise, goes all day

Theater as part of Religious Festival

• Festival for Dionysus• Dionysus

– God of wine, but also the god of social taboos– But also the force binding society together

• Just a few days of the year• Festival over three days

– One playwright each day– Trilogy and Satyr Play– Starts at Sunrise, goes all day

• Agon: Winning Playwright

Role of Theater in Greek Society

• Place for Transgression

Role of Theater in Greek Society

• Place for Transgression• Catharsis (“A purifying cleansing of the

emotions”)

Role of Theater in Greek Society

• Place for Transgression• Catharsis (“A purifying cleansing of the

emotions”)• Social Commentary

Themes in Greek Theater

• Agon– Antagonism between characters– Internal Strife– Competition between playwrights

Themes in Greek Theater

• Agon– Antagonism between characters– Internal Strife– Competition between playwrights

• Tragedy as Allegory– Allegory:

Themes in Greek Theater

• Agon– Antagonism between characters– Internal Strife– Competition between playwrights

• Tragedy as Allegory– Allegory: the expression by means of symbolic

fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations about human existence

Themes in Greek Theater

• Agon– Antagonism between characters– Internal Strife– Competition between playwrights

• Tragedy as Allegory– Allegory: the expression by means of symbolic

fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations about human existence

• Comedy as Satire– Satire:

Themes in Greek Theater• Agon

– Antagonism between characters– Internal Strife– Competition between playwrights

• Tragedy as Allegory– Allegory: the expression by means of symbolic

fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations about human existence

• Comedy as Satire– Satire: A literary work in which human vice or folly is

attacked through irony, derision, or wit.

Aeschylus

• (525-456)• Fought at Marathon, wanted that on

Tombstone rather than playwriting• first place at Dionysia an amazing 13 times

The Persians (472)

• NOT set in Mythical Era

The Persians (472)

• NOT set in Mythical Era• Portrays Persians as Brave Men

The Persians (472)

• NOT set in Mythical Era• Portrays Persians as Brave Men• Warnings about power

The Persians (472)

• NOT set in Mythical Era• Portrays Persians as Brave Men• Warnings about power

– Don’t give too much power to an autocrat

The Persians (472)

• NOT set in Mythical Era• Portrays Persians as Brave Men• Warnings about power

– Don’t give too much power to an autocrat– Don’t overextend your empire

Oresteia Trilogy (458)

• Agamemnon: Clytemnestra kills Agamemnon

Oresteia Trilogy (458)

• Agamemnon: Clytemnestra kills Agamemnon• The Libation Bearers: The kids, Orestes and

Electra get revenge

Oresteia Trilogy (458)

• Agamemnon: Clytemnestra kills Agamemnon• The Libation Bearers: The kids, Orestes and

Electra get revenge• The Eumenides: The Furies and the Oresteia

Oresteia: Themes and Historical Significance

• One Bad Thing Leads to Another

Oresteia: Themes and Historical Significance

• One Bad Thing Leads to Another• Agon: Internal Struggle

Oresteia: Themes and Historical Significance

• One Bad Thing Leads to Another• Agon: Internal Struggle• Blood Feud vs. Rule of Law

Oresteia: Themes and Historical Significance

• One Bad Thing Leads to Another• Agon: Internal Struggle• Blood Feud vs. Rule of Law• The Role of the Areopagus

Oresteia: Themes and Historical Significance

• One Bad Thing Leads to Another• Agon: Internal Struggle• Blood Feud vs. Rule of Law• The Role of the Areopagus

– Justification of crucial remaining role for Areopagus, judging Homicide Cases

Euripides’ The Trojan Women (415)

• Plot: Tragic Aftermath of the Trojan War

Euripides’ The Trojan Women (415)

• Plot: Tragic Aftermath of the Trojan War• "How are ye blind, ye treaders down of cities,

ye that cast temples to desolation and lay waste tombs, the untrodden sanctuaries where lie the ancient dead; yourselves so soon to die!”

Euripides’ The Trojan Women (415)

• Plot: Tragic Aftermath of the Trojan War• "How are ye blind, ye treaders down of cities,

ye that cast temples to desolation and lay waste tombs, the untrodden sanctuaries where lie the ancient dead; yourselves so soon to die!”

• Who did the Athenians destroy just before 415?

Sophocles’ Oedipus Cycle

• Sophocles (~496-~405)• Not Performed as a trilogy.

– Oedipus the King (429)– Oedipus at Colonus (401) (written ~406)– Antigone (441)

• Epitomizes Tragedy’s use of Mythology, agonizing family discord, to make modern points

Oedipus the King (429)

• Background:– Tragic Story of Oedipus, fated to…kill his dad and

marry his mom

Oedipus the King (429)

• Background:– Tragic Story of Oedipus, fated to…kill his dad and

marry his mom– Laius, King of Thebes, abandons him

Oedipus the King (429)

• Background:– Tragic Story of Oedipus, fated to…kill his dad and

marry his mom– Laius, King of Thebes, abandons him– Raised in Corinth

Oedipus the King (429)

• Background:– Tragic Story of Oedipus, fated to…kill his dad and

marry his mom– Laius, King of Thebes, abandons him– Raised in Corinth– Oedipus gets away from his “parents” in Corinth

Oedipus the King (429)

• Background:– Tragic Story of Oedipus, fated to…kill his dad and

marry his mom– Laius, King of Thebes, abandons him– Raised in Corinth– Oedipus gets away from his “parents” in Corinth– Kills Laius at crossroads

Oedipus the King (429)

• Background:– Tragic Story of Oedipus, fated to…kill his dad and

marry his mom– Laius, King of Thebes, abandons him– Raised in Corinth– Oedipus gets away from his “parents” in Corinth– Kills Laius at crossroads– Solves riddle of Sphinx, marries Jocasta

Action of Oedipus the King

• Plague hits Thebes. – Other Plague around 429?

Action of Oedipus the King

• Plague hits Thebes. – Other Plague around 429?

• Oracle says it’s cause Laius’ killer never found

Action of Oedipus the King

• Plague hits Thebes. – Other Plague around 429?

• Oracle says it’s cause Laius’ killer never found• Stop Searching Oedipus!

Action of Oedipus the King

• Plague hits Thebes. – Other Plague around 429?

• Oracle says it’s cause Laius’ killer never found• Stop Searching Oedipus!• Oedipus figures it out, Jocasta commits

suicide, Oedipus blinds self

Oedipus at Colonus (406)

• First Performed 401• Oedipus, in exile, learns through suffering

Antigone (441)

• Painful Family Tensions

Antigone (441)

• Painful Family Tensions• Polynices (son) dies after trying to take throne

from brother

Antigone (441)

• Painful Family Tensions• Polynices (son) dies after trying to take throne

from brother• Creon (brother-in-law) forbids burial

Antigone (441)

• Painful Family Tensions• Polynices (son) dies after trying to take throne

from brother• Creon (brother-in-law) forbids burial• Antigone buries him

Antigone (441)

• Painful Family Tensions• Polynices (son) dies after trying to take throne

from brother• Creon (brother-in-law) forbids burial• Antigone buries him• Sentenced to be buried alive

Antigone (441)

• Painful Family Tensions• Polynices (son) dies after trying to take throne

from brother• Creon (brother-in-law) forbids burial• Antigone buries him• Sentenced to be buried alive• Everybody dies…pretty much

Reading from Antigone

Themes and Historical Significance of the Oedipus Cycle

• Agon: loyalty to Gods vs. loyalty to the state– Nomos vs. Physis

Themes and Historical Significance of the Oedipus Cycle

• Agon: loyalty to Gods vs. loyalty to the state– Nomos vs. Physis

• Oedipus and the Plague

Themes and Historical Significance of the Oedipus Cycle

• Agon: loyalty to Gods vs. loyalty to the state– Nomos vs. Physis

• Oedipus and the Plague• Warning vs. Arbitrary Power of the State

Themes and Historical Significance of the Oedipus Cycle

• Agon: loyalty to Gods vs. loyalty to the state– Nomos vs. Physis

• Oedipus and the Plague• Warning vs. Arbitrary Power of the State• Gender

Themes and Historical Significance of the Oedipus Cycle

• Agon: loyalty to Gods vs. loyalty to the state– Nomos vs. Physis

• Oedipus and the Plague• Warning vs. Arbitrary Power of the State• Gender

– Ismene: “we were born women, showing that we were not meant to fight with men”

Themes and Historical Significance of the Oedipus Cycle

• Agon: loyalty to Gods vs. loyalty to the state– Nomos vs. Physis

• Oedipus and the Plague• Warning vs. Arbitrary Power of the State• Gender

– Ismene: “we were born women, showing that we were not meant to fight with men”

– Antigone as “maculinized” hero

Comedy

• Satyr Play

Comedy

• Satyr Play• Sometimes stands alone

Comedy

• Satyr Play• Sometimes stands alone• Comedy as window on contemporary issues

Aristophanes (448-380)

• Conservative• Critical of Democracy• Favored Peace with Sparta• Critical of Sophistry• Vulgar, obscene, described bodily functions,

sexual acts

The Knights (424)

• Rakes Cleon and democracy over the coals

The Knights (424)

• Rakes Cleon and democracy over the coals• Lord Demos has Two Slaves: Nicias and

Demosthenes

The Knights (424)

• Rakes Cleon and democracy over the coals• Lord Demos has Two Slaves: Nicias and

Demosthenes• Ruled over by cruel leathermonger (Cleon)

The Knights (424)

• Rakes Cleon and democracy over the coals• Lord Demos has Two Slaves: Nicias and

Demosthenes• Ruled over by cruel leathermonger (Cleon)• Nicias/Demosthenes get Sausage Seller to get

into bribery war with Leathermonger/Cleon

Other Aristophanes plays

• The Wasps (422): Philocleon is addicted to Law Courts

• Lysistrata (411): Sex Strike to stop the war• The Clouds (423): mocks Sophists and

Socrates

Quote from “The Clouds”

• Physical Traits and Education• Critique of the Sophists

Dialogue from the Clouds

• Traits of Unjust Argument• Traits of Just Argument

Old Comedy vs. New Comedy

• Old Comedy: Centered in the Polis, deals with politics and public figures

Old Comedy vs. New Comedy

• Old Comedy: Centered in the Polis, deals with politics and public figures

• New Comedy (4th Century): Takes place within the family/home

Old Comedy vs. New Comedy

• Old Comedy: Centered in the Polis, deals with politics and public figures

• New Comedy (4th Century): Takes place within the family/home

• This shift:– Valuable for seeing family life– Coincides with fall of polis. Part of larger artistic

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