Early theatres: Greek,roman and medieval (chap 11) Flashcards
Define Chorus
In ancient Greek drama, a group of
performers who sang and danced, sometimes participating in the action
but usually simply commenting on it.
In modern times, performers in a musical play who sing and dance as a group.
Define Thespian.
Synonym for “performer”; from Thespis,
who is said to have been the first actor in ancient Greek theatre.
What is the city Dionysia?
City Dionysia: The most important Greek festival in honor of the god Dionysus,
and the first to include drama.
What are the basic characteristics of Greek theatre?
- Greek theatre was intimately bound up with Greek religion, which was based on the worship of a group of Gods.(especially Dionysus).
- The organization of dramatic presentations was undertaken by the government.
- Tragic playwrights themselves functioned as directors.
- Greek myths were the primary subject of the plays.
- The most admired form of drama at the Greek festivals was tragedy.
What is Satyr play?
One of the three types of classical
Greek drama, usually a ribald takeoff on Greek mythology and history that included a chorus of satyrs, mythological creatures who were half-man and half-goat.
On festival days in Athens, it was presented as the final play following
three tragedies.
Who is a Choregus?
Choregus: Wealthy person who financed a playwright’s works at an ancient Greek dramatic festival.
The equivalent of a modern-day producer
Who is Aeschylus?
-considered the first important Greek dramatist.
-he called for a second actor, who could play different parts when he put on different masks.
-Aeschylus reduced the size of the chorus to 12
-His dramas dealt with noble families and lofty themes
-master of the trilogy
Who is Sophacles?
-raised the number in the chorus to 15
- Added a third actor who would allow enormous flexibility.
- introduced characters and info swiftly and build climax
- wrote Oedipus Rex
Who is Euripdes?
-The third great dramatist of the period
- The rebel and considered the most “modern” out of the 3
- increased realism, sympathetic portrayal of women, and mixed tragedy with comedy and melodrama.
- wrote Medea
Differentiate between old and new comedy.
Old Comedy: Classical Greek comedy that pokes fun at social, political, or cultural conditions and at particular figures.
New Comedy: Hellenistic Greek and Roman comedies that deal with romantic and domestic situations.
What is an orchestra?
Orchestra: A circular playing space in ancient Greek theatres; in modern times, the ground-floor seating in a theatre auditorium
What is a skene?
Skene: Classical Greek and Hellenistic scene house.
What is the Parados?
Parodos: In classical Greek drama, the scene in which the chorus enters.
Also, the entranceway for the chorus in Greek theatre
What is a theatron?
Theatron: Where the audience sat in an ancient Greek theatre.
Name the 3 roman playwrights whose works survived.
The comedies of Plautus and Terence and the tragedies of Seneca.
