Ancient Greek Theatre

Question 1

Thespis

Answer 1

Chorus leader

Question 2

God of wine and fertility

Answer 2

Dionysus

Question 3

Orchestra

Answer 3

Dancing space, chorus sang and danced

Question 4

Dithyrambs

Answer 4

Chorus

Question 5

Altar

Answer 5

Reminder of religious origins of Dionysus + centre of orchestra

Question 6

Theatron

Answer 6

Auditorium= where the audience sits

Question 7

Parados:

Answer 7

Entrance and exit for the chorus

Question 8

Skene

Answer 8

( stage building)
-exits and entrances and changing area
-Made up of paraskenia and episkenion

Question 9

Paraskenia

Answer 9

Sides of the skene extended

Question 10

Proskenion

Answer 10

Elaborate façade ( pillars)

Question 11

Episkenion

Answer 11

Second story in the skene

Question 12

Pinake

Answer 12

Painted scenic panels to suggest a location ( hung between pillars in proskenion)

Question 13

Eccyclema and exhaustra

Answer 13

• circle
• rectangle
  Where dead bodies where afterwards displayed on wheeled platforms

Question 14

Machina:

Answer 14

: crane-like device to aid entrance and exit of the gods.
- descended from skene to orchestra, or lifted off the floor

Question 15

Deux ex machina

Answer 15

Contrived ending/ solution

Question 16

Periaktoi

Answer 16

3 flats in a prism/triangle, mounted on a central pole- used to expose/conceal sides

Question 17

Onkos

Answer 17

Headdresses

Question 18

Chiton

Answer 18

Basic tunic, pinned to the shoulder, knee or ankle height (both tragedy and comedy)

Question 19

Chlamys

Answer 19

Short cape(comedy)

Question 20

Himation

Answer 20

Long cape (tragedy) - over the right shoulder and draped over an arm- long flowing lines= showed dignity and authority

Question 21

Phallus

Answer 21

(Comedy)
Large stuffed leather worn below the belt.
-Associated with the worship of Dionysus
-Not seen as obscene or shocking because it was a power symbol of fertility and fruitfulness.

Question 22

Music and dancing

Answer 22

Chorus

Question 23

Prologos

Answer 23

1. Short scene or monologue established the dramatic situation

Question 24

Parados

Answer 24

2. Entrance of the chorus- continued the exposition

Question 25

Main sections of the play

Answer 25

3. Divided into epeisoda= scenes in who’d the main action occurs

Question 26

Statisma/ statismon;

Answer 26

4. Choral odes= comment on the action and provide a break between scenes

Question 27

Climax

Answer 27

5. Come JUST BEFORE the last statismon- allows the chorus to comment on the climax and final resolution, and drive home didactic message!!!!!!

Question 28

Didactic

Answer 28

To teach a moral lesson

Question 29

Exodus

Answer 29

6. Conclusion- Summation and exit of the chorus

Question 30

What were the six aspects Aristotle determined to be the success of a tragedy

Answer 30

1. Plot MOST NB
2. Character
3. Diction
4. Thought
5. Spectacle
6. Song

Question 31

Catharsis

Answer 31

Purging of emotions

Question 32

1. Part of the action

Answer 32

Chorus takes a role, sympathetic to the protagonist, express opinions and give advice

Question 33

The tragic hero

Answer 33

Protagonist

Question 34

Hamartia/ hubris

Answer 34

(Hamartia) Suffering due to a flaw in their character
E.g= Pride (hubris) which sets themselves up as equal or superior to the gods

Question 35

Dramatic irony

Answer 35

If the audience is aware of something but the character is not

Question 36

2. Set up ethical framework

Answer 36

• express the authors views( they are the mouthpiece of the playwright)

Question 37

3. Chorus is the ideal spectator

Answer 37

They react to events the way the author wants the audience to react

Question 38

4. The chorus helps set the….

Answer 38

• the mood and heighten dramatic effect

Question 39

5. Add…

Answer 39

Add color, movement and spectacle

Question 40

6. The chorus helps with…

Answer 40

The unfolding of the plot, choral speeches allow time to move backwards and forwards, slow the action and help to build to the climax

Question 41

Choral interludes

Answer 41

Combination of movement, music and song, added to overall dramatic effect